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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. |
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#1
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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 |
#2
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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
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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
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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
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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
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![]() "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
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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. -- 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
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![]() "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
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![]() ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++ 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
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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
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![]() "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
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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 ![]() [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
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![]() "Stephen Dawson" wrote in message ... "Huge" wrote in message ... "Stephen Dawson" writes: "Ed Sirett" wrote in message news ![]() [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
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![]() "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
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![]() "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
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![]() "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
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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
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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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