Replacing old Light Switch - Which Terminals do Live Wires go to? Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Ian73]

I'm replacing a light switch that works two spotlights with two cables coming down into the switch only 2 live wires are showing one from each cable

At the switch there is no earth and the neutral goes from one cable to the other

which terminals on my new switch do the live wires go into eg 1 way,2 way or common.......thanks

[ericmark]

In the UK it is unusual to have a neutral at the light switch. In the main all wires should be brown or covered with brown sleeving but it has been known to fall off.

[Ian73]

Ok thanks the light switch I took off was a real relic made of pot and a brown bakelite casing in the switch it had the two red wires in opposite terminals but it didn't say on it which was which

The only other wire visable was a black one which I presumed was neutral
that one wasn't connected to the switch at all but went like a loop from 1 main cable to the other......thanks

[ericmark]

It does not need to say which red wire is which it will work either way around.

[Ian73]

ok cheers

[Ian73]

Yeah sorry I meant the old switch terminals didn't have any letters or symbol's on them so I couldn't use it for a reference when fitting the new switch