Wiring and their colours

Grumps · 2022-11-13T16:23:13+00:00

Hi All,Sorry about subject clarity.I've eventually got an urge to finish off the re-wiring of a 2nd home. All of the rings are in (first fix) and I'm thinking about the lights. Kitchen circuits (ring, lights, hob) were done professionally about 5 years ago.Yes, I have informed building regs/control and paid a fee.The hardest decision is that I'm trying to make as little mess as possible so redecorating is minimal. So far so good; only a few visible chases and I have some of the old wallpaper to repair this.But with the light switches, I'd like to replace the current wires with new T+E as there is currently no earth at the switches. I know there doesn't HAVE to be, but it's a nice to have.The house was first wired in the 60s and the lighting circuit is a "loop at switch" type. So each switch (presumably except the last) has 3 red wires; Line in, line out to next switch, and switched line to light fixture. These wires are stranded (I haven't counted, but probably 5 strands).Instead of chasing out and removing the old wires, can I re-use the existing 3 conductors and sheath one in yellow/green? I can access the wires in the ceiling void and loft where a junction box could be employed to "convert" to T+E going to the fitting. This would also be coupling red conductors to brown/blue.I have Brian Scaddan's 18th Ed IET wiring regs as a reference, but can'tsee anything that thwarts my plans.Ta for any comments.

Nov 13, 2022 Last reply: 3 years ago 22 Replies

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Robin 3 years ago

Copper vs aluminium by appearance - after cleaning. May help to hold a bit of known copper alongside if in doubt.

As Andy said, not after gently scraping it a bit.

Pass.

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Mike Clarke 3 years ago

And to add to the confusion the 3/029 and 7/029 stranded cables in the

50's and early 60's were tinned copper so not copper coloured.

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Robin 3 years ago

D'oh! I'm hanging my head in shame as it was only last year I came across some in a neighbour's socket and remembered to scrape it before concluding it was Al.

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Wiring and their colours

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