bakelite light switches - safe?

monkey_writer

Hello, we've just bought a victorian terrace that needs lots of work. As part of the refurbishment, I'd love to replace the dull modern square white light switches with old bakelite light switches... But are they safe? Will they pass building regs etc? If not, is there any way of refurbishing them to make them acceptable?

catkins

I think there is a electrical company in Islington London that makes modern replicas of the old style switches. Try a google search.

monkey_writer

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-CIRCULAR-BRASS-TOGGLE-LIGHT-SWITCH_W0QQitemZ7417960805QQcategoryZ121472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-bakelite-light-switches-3_W0QQitemZ7418699226QQcategoryZ121472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

a couple of examples

Alan_M_2

http://www.adriennechinn.co.uk/directory-lighting.htm

Must be something amoungst that lot.

weekendwarrior

Just one word of caution.

These type of switches are often fastened to a wooden plate, this could now be against the new regulations!

Have a look here on page 39- http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/323/ApprovedDocumentPElectricalsafetydwellings2006edition_id1164323.pdf

monkey_writer

Now that is a really useful document! Thanks!