Changing switches from white plastic to chrome

Nemey · Post by **Nemey** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:14 am

Hi,

Quick one.

Electric scares me!!

When changing light switches over from plastic to chrome do i only need to flick the mains electric switch off on the mains fuse box to make it safe for me to change the switches over?

In other words once I flick the switch off on the mains fuse everything is completely dead?

Cheers,

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:23 am

If it scares you that much then I'd suggest getting a competent person in

If you switch the light on then go to the consumer unit and 'flick' the correct switch or take out the fuse (depending on the type) then if you've isolated the power correctly the light will go out

The sparks on the forum will add any additional requirements when switching to chrome, if there are any

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:18 pm

Thanks skiking

It has been done as a project here

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/repla ... switch.htm

sparkydude · Post by **sparkydude** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:05 pm

when changing to metal switches you have to ensure that the plate is earthed and is correctly linked to the existing earth in the back box, otherwise if there is a fault you could potentially liven up the light switch plate and give anyone touching it a possibly fatal electric shock .

Nick

boogaloo · Post by **boogaloo** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:17 pm

Following on from that.... our light switch cabling has a earth lead however the main ceiling rose cable doesn't. What are the implications of wiring a metal switch plate?
Thanks

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:42 pm

Nemey never responded to the replies offered, so I wonder how he/she got on!...........Another example of what Panlid pointed out a couple of days ago!

boogaloo · Post by **boogaloo** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:05 am

Sorry - I don't understand....

Hinton Heating · Post by **Hinton Heating** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:41 am

its ok, providing the metal plate on the switch is earthed.

boogaloo · Post by **boogaloo** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:49 am

Yeah the switch plate will be earthed to a plastic back box.
Thank you Hinton Heating.

Hinton Heating · Post by **Hinton Heating** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:00 am

the earth core on the cable needs to be connected to the face plate, no point connecting an earth to a plastic box, you cant touch anyway!

boogaloo · Post by **boogaloo** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:29 am

Got ya.

Changing switches from white plastic to chrome

Changing switches from white plastic to chrome

Ceiling rose wiring