I'm trying to replace the existing plastic coverplates with more funky metal ones.
This photo shows the front of the plate I'm trying to replace:
Thanks
Edward
Looks like it, the original seems to be a changeover type, is it one of (at least) three switches controlling one (or more) light?
A 1 Gang intermediate light switch, but good luck finding them if your metal switchplate is too fancy.
Don't forget, you must also run an extra earth (sheathed in green/yellow) from where the existing earth terminates in the back box, to the earth terminal on the new metal switchplate.
No, not necessarily, but you will have to wire it up a bit differently. I am a bit worried about the current switch - I cant make out if its a full 2 pole isolator, or a changeover with an extra common terminal.
What is written on the terminals please?
As Andy has already said, the original is an *intermediate* switch for a two way circuit, all four terminals are required for the correct operation of the existing circuit.
Ah.. mea culpa.
I'd forgotten intermediates..
I think senility is setting in.
Thanks (replying from GG as my OE seems to have given up).
Do I need to add the earth wire for ALL the metal plates?
Thanks
Edward
Yes, otherwise think what could happen if a live wire comes loose from its terminal and touches the plate?
it should earth through the screws to the box to some extent, but to be totally safe add an earth to any metal fitting in the lighting circuit . unless you don't have one as in my mothering-laws house and all the fittings were brass, switches, ceiling roses, wall lights it an accident waiting to happen
The MiL So is that waiting to or hoping to happen?
Adam
'fraid so.
You need an intermediate switch (and some red sleeving to slip over the black wires).
The original *could* be an intermediate switch. But equally, could it not just be a two-pole on/off switch which switches both live and neutral?
If that is the case, unless the neutral *needs* to be switched, the OP could simply join the black wires together and connect the reds to COM and L1 or L2.
The front of it only showed a single switch.
Not two-gang - a single-gang double-pole switch.
Indeed! I never mentioned gangs! A two *pole* switch can be operated by a single rocker.
Ah yes, I see what Roger meant, but I wouldn't really say it was equally likely, the lack of sleeving doesn't help clarify it.
Double-pole switching for lighting would be quite unusual in an ordinary household installation. Apart from which the word "intermediate" - visible on the rear moulding in the photo - is something of a clue.
have you met my MIL then :-) sometimes I could plug her in
You've got better eyesight than me, then! I blew up the picture but still couldn't read the word which *may* be 'intermediate' with any certainty.
Unless, of course, the blacks *are* neutrals - in which case no sleeving would be needed.
But I accept that it is somewhat unlikely that a 2-pole switch would be used in this context.
Why don't you just slap a meter across it?
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