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  #1   Report Post  
John
 
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Default Shallow Switch Box

I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.

Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.

--


Regards

John




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  #2   Report Post  
:::Jerry::::
 
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"John" wrote in message
news
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.

Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


The last time I noticed (my local) B&Q had wooden plinths in with the
general electrical fittings. They should do what you want.


  #3   Report Post  
Dave Plowman (News)
 
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Default

In article ,
John wrote:
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.


It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


MK certainly used to do an open frame that would do this - perhaps with
some modification. I've not got an MK cat to hand, though.

Was larger than 5mm IIRC if this matters.

--
*How can I miss you if you won't go away?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #4   Report Post  
Ed Sirett
 
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Default

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:

I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.


IMHO
If its in and working then leave well alone, the PVC can handle a fair bit
of heat.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html


  #5   Report Post  
John
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks Ed. With a bit of trimming of the earth wire (box to brass plate) and
some tidying of the wires I have managed to get it fitting to my
satisfaction. The shallow box was about 4 mm back from the face of the
plaster. It was the number of wires and the limited space that was the
source of the problem.

--


Regards

John


"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:

I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the
wires
are all crushed a bit.


IMHO
If its in and working then leave well alone, the PVC can handle a fair bit
of heat.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html




---
All of my outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 22/10/2004




  #6   Report Post  
:::Jerry::::
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:

I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang

switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the

wires
are all crushed a bit.


IMHO
If its in and working then leave well alone, the PVC can handle a fair bit
of heat.
snip


What a F*CK**G stupid thing to say, even a lethal fault works OK until it
kills....

Think about it, assuming you have half a brain to do so. :~(



  #7   Report Post  
Stephen Dawson
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"John" wrote in message
news
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.

Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.

--


Regards

John




---
All of my outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.779 / Virus Database: 526 - Release Date: 19/10/2004


The switch should have come with a spacer to allow this to happen. Have you
still got this part ??


  #8   Report Post  
Stephen Dawson
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:

I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the
wires
are all crushed a bit.


IMHO
If its in and working then leave well alone, the PVC can handle a fair bit
of heat.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html



With the greatest of respet Ed, you are wrong,the switch is missing a part
that should have been fitted.


  #9   Report Post  
Mike Clarke
 
Posts: n/a
Default


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
This article was posted to usenet, the information in it may
not be published in, or used by, http://www.diyprojects.info
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++

In usenet article , "Dave Plowman
(News)" wrote:

In article ,
John wrote:
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.


It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


MK certainly used to do an open frame that would do this - perhaps with
some modification. I've not got an MK cat to hand, though.

Was larger than 5mm IIRC if this matters.


A _very_ ancient catalogue shows list no. 2134 as 18mm deep. No idea if
they still do it or not.

--
Mike Clarke
  #10   Report Post  
Frank Erskine
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 23:43:40 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
John wrote:
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang switch.


It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the wires
are all crushed a bit.


Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward by
about 5mm to give more space?


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


MK certainly used to do an open frame that would do this - perhaps with
some modification. I've not got an MK cat to hand, though.



I had exactly the same problem a while ago, and none of the dealers I
asked knew of any spacer, so I bought a blanking plate and ground out
the centre bits with a Dremel. Because the plate is slightly tapered
there's a bit of a mismatch around the edges, but it doesn't look too
bad - it'll do until I source the "real thing"!

--

Frank Erskine
OETKBC


  #11   Report Post  
Stephen Dawson
 
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Default


"Huge" wrote in message
...
"Stephen Dawson" writes:

"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:


[15 lines snipped]

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


[6 lines snipped]



With the greatest of respet Ed, you are wrong,the switch is missing a part
that should have been fitted.


With the greatest of respe(c)t Stephen, we have dimmers throughout our
house, (in other words I have bought 10 or so of them) and I have
*never* seen a part such as you suggest.



Just been to the van to check my stock of MK dimmer, and all of them have
this 4mm spacer to enable safe connection onto a plaster depth back box. I
do however my my stock from wholesalers rather than sheds, and it is always
as a minimum MK logic Plus. So either you have not ben supplied that part as
part of your pack, or your have not fitted MK logic.

And fo the record I think Mr Sirret should stick to gas if that is the
quality of his electrical advice.

Regards



Stephen Dawson

Director



Fox Electrical Services Ltd

34 Portchester Rd

Portsmouth

PO2 7JB

Tel 02392 615142

Fax 02392 661931

Mobile 07970 940637


  #12   Report Post  
John
 
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Default

Guys - believe me I wouldn't have posted the question if there had been a
spacer - and I made sure I had a box that hadn't been tampered with.

My dimmer is a MK Brass Double 2 Way K5307RPPBS]


By the way - wouldn't it be better if there was a shield behind the box lugs
to prevent the wires getting behind the lug and then getting damaged by the
screws.

--


Regards

John

"Stephen Dawson" wrote in message
...

"Huge" wrote in message
...
"Stephen Dawson" writes:

"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:


[15 lines snipped]

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to
my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


[6 lines snipped]



With the greatest of respet Ed, you are wrong,the switch is missing a
part
that should have been fitted.


With the greatest of respe(c)t Stephen, we have dimmers throughout our
house, (in other words I have bought 10 or so of them) and I have
*never* seen a part such as you suggest.



Just been to the van to check my stock of MK dimmer, and all of them have
this 4mm spacer to enable safe connection onto a plaster depth back box. I
do however my my stock from wholesalers rather than sheds, and it is
always as a minimum MK logic Plus. So either you have not ben supplied
that part as part of your pack, or your have not fitted MK logic.

And fo the record I think Mr Sirret should stick to gas if that is the
quality of his electrical advice.

Regards



Stephen Dawson

Director



Fox Electrical Services Ltd

34 Portchester Rd

Portsmouth

PO2 7JB

Tel 02392 615142

Fax 02392 661931

Mobile 07970 940637




---
All of my outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 22/10/2004


  #13   Report Post  
Stephen Dawson
 
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Default


"Stephen Dawson" wrote in message
...

"Huge" wrote in message
...
"Stephen Dawson" writes:

"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:47:32 +0000, John wrote:


[15 lines snipped]

I have seen clear plastic plates which some peple use to protect rhe
paint/paper around swithces (look a bit too much like a guesthouse to
my
taste). These will give you a bit of clearance. You may need to legthen
the mounting screws if you do this. Socket ones might be just right but
check they wont hit the back of the back box before they do up.


Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


[6 lines snipped]



With the greatest of respet Ed, you are wrong,the switch is missing a
part
that should have been fitted.


With the greatest of respe(c)t Stephen, we have dimmers throughout our
house, (in other words I have bought 10 or so of them) and I have
*never* seen a part such as you suggest.



Just been to the van to check my stock of MK dimmer, and all of them have
this 4mm spacer to enable safe connection onto a plaster depth back box. I
do however my my stock from wholesalers rather than sheds, and it is
always as a minimum MK logic Plus. So either you have not ben supplied
that part as part of your pack, or your have not fitted MK logic.

And fo the record I think Mr Sirret should stick to gas if that is the
quality of his electrical advice.

Regards



Stephen Dawson

Director



Fox Electrical Services Ltd

34 Portchester Rd

Portsmouth

PO2 7JB

Tel 02392 615142

Fax 02392 661931

Mobile 07970 940637



And I need to use my spell checker more often.


  #14   Report Post  
:::Jerry::::
 
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Default


"John" wrote in message
...

[ sniped context due to previous top posting ]


By the way - wouldn't it be better if there was a shield behind the box

lugs
to prevent the wires getting behind the lug and then getting damaged by

the
screws.


Well that is a sure sign that the backing box is over-crowded then.

Please learn how to post correctly, the following URL might help,
http://www.allmyfaqs.com/faq.pl?How_to_post


  #15   Report Post  
:::Jerry::::
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Stephen Dawson" wrote in message
...

[ 70 lines of re quoted text snipped ]

And I need to use my spell checker more often.


You also need to learn to edit un needed text from your replies too...
http://www.allmyfaqs.com/faq.pl?How_to_post




  #16   Report Post  
Stephen Dawson
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"John" wrote in message
...
Guys - believe me I wouldn't have posted the question if there had been a
spacer - and I made sure I had a box that hadn't been tampered with.

My dimmer is a MK Brass Double 2 Way K5307RPPBS]


By the way - wouldn't it be better if there was a shield behind the box
lugs to prevent the wires getting behind the lug and then getting damaged
by the screws.

--


Regards

John


And that clarifies the mystery, the insert is not include with brass
fittings. The MK instructions say the back box should be min 25mm deep, with
35mm deep for the low voltage variant.

Out of interest, I can't find the part number but is it a Savoy Plus dimmer
??

Regards

Steve


  #17   Report Post  
John
 
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The instructions appear to cover Albany, Chroma, Savoy and Grosvenor.

No useful information on the box (Just "Brass double Two Way") so it is
impossible to read the spec without opening the pack.

--


Regards

John



---
All of my outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 22/10/2004


  #18   Report Post  
Buxnot
 
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John wrote:
I have just fitted a double MK dimmer in place of a normal 2 gang
switch.

It is a bit tight and I fear that the heat may cause problems as the
wires are all crushed a bit.

Is there a spacer available that will bring the switch plate forward
by about 5mm to give more space?

Having just decorated I don't want to change the box.


My MK dimmer came with exactly one of those.

Was only a single though, and only about 3mm.



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