UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Dan Sloane
 
Posts: n/a
Default Lighting circuit - loop through in switch

I've recently started changing normal switches to dimmer switches in
my 1 ear-old home and noticed a very strange wiring technique....

Each of the switches I've changed so far have had the 'loop-through'
wiring done inside the wall switch. Most rooms are fitted with LV
halogen downlighters, so there's no ceiling rose - but surely the
looping should have been done in junction boxes.

Annoyingly, this means there's very little space in the back box for
the extended depth of a dimmer.

Can anyone please give me guidance whether this conforms to 16th
Edition regs, or if I should get another qualified electrician to
inspect.


Regards, Dan
  #2   Report Post  
John Watson
 
Posts: n/a
Default Lighting circuit - loop through in switch

Hi John,
Each of the switches I've changed so far have had the 'loop-through'
wiring done inside the wall switch.

This is sometimes done, especially in older properties where there may not
be a ceiling void.

Annoyingly, this means there's very little space in the back box for
the extended depth of a dimmer.

This can be a real pain - as I'm sure you've found out. You may find you
need to fit deeper back boxes. They usually need a deeper back-box than the
16mm ones often used for light switches.

Can anyone please give me guidance whether this conforms to 16th
Edition regs, or if I should get another qualified electrician to
inspect.

Yes it does conform. Debatable whether it is good practice. In your case I'd
say it is good practice, as any joints are more easily accessible to inspect
etc. than ones hidden away in the ceiling void.

Interestingly this months "Professional Electrician" mag, Nov 03 p61 has an
NICEIC article that covers (more-or-less) this point.
--
John
"Dan Sloane" wrote in message
om...
I've recently started changing normal switches to dimmer switches in
my 1 ear-old home and noticed a very strange wiring technique....

Each of the switches I've changed so far have had the 'loop-through'
wiring done inside the wall switch. Most rooms are fitted with LV
halogen downlighters, so there's no ceiling rose - but surely the
looping should have been done in junction boxes.

Annoyingly, this means there's very little space in the back box for
the extended depth of a dimmer.

Can anyone please give me guidance whether this conforms to 16th
Edition regs, or if I should get another qualified electrician to
inspect.


Regards, Dan



  #3   Report Post  
Christian McArdle
 
Posts: n/a
Default Lighting circuit - loop through in switch

Can anyone please give me guidance whether this conforms to 16th
Edition regs,


I don't think of any reason why it wouldn't conform, provided that the
correct terminals are used. It seems sensible, given that with downlighters
there isn't an obvious ceiling rose location to do the wiring.

Christian.



Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Case of the unknown circuit David Hearn UK diy 4 November 10th 03 05:12 PM
Longish query - circuit breakers in consumer units David W.E. Roberts UK diy 9 November 9th 03 01:33 PM
using 30A cable to supply 5A lighting circuit: good idea? dave L UK diy 3 October 7th 03 11:08 PM
Lighting Direct: A good company to do business with. parish UK diy 0 September 6th 03 10:35 PM
Lighting circuit problems Turv UK diy 2 August 22nd 03 07:50 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:40 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"