help needed-smiths audio switch

dreaming

I moved into a house which has a double gang Smiths Audio Switch fitted in the hall. 1 switch controls the hall light (no problems with that). The other switch controls the outside light - or rather doesn't. It has a red dot on it and there is a sliding piece on the switch which reveals a large dial with a black line round it (I think this is a timer), and 2 smaller dials (which have to be turned by screwdriver) - 1 shows the symbol for light (like sun); the other shows symbol for sound (hence "audio switch" I deduce). The problem is that the outside light does not work properly, despite all combinations of the 3 dials. It is either on all day and night (instead of just after dusk) or if I turn the switch to the off position, the bulb flashes continually. The people who moved out were tenants and said they never got it to work either, and electrician acquaintance has never seen one like it before (although it doesn't look old - I think house was refurbished about 5 years ago). I have looked on internet but cannot find it.
I have had to take the bulb out so now have no outside light at all. Has anyone come across these please, who could tell me how it works? Do not want expense/mess of new switch unless I have to.
Many thanks

Myser

It's highly unlikely to be audio combined with mains lighting on the same switch.

The symbol may be a moon that looks like a speaker?

Does it look like this:

ZV215 Programmable Security Light Switch

Cover slid down

dreaming

Thank you for the reply. There is no part number that I can see.

When I slide the cover down it says "Smiths Audio Switch" on the bottom left hand side. I suppose the dial could be a moon - it is a bold black spot with 3 brackets (getting larger) either side. Don't know why I thought it was a symbol for sound other than the words on the switch. Sorry I don't know how to do pictures on here.
The problem has been that the outside light stayed on all day, although it got brighter when people approached it (it is a PIR). If I put the switch to what I would consider to be the "off" position the light flashed continually so I left it on for when I came home in the dark. Yesterday when visitors left we noticed that it was flashing continously (although switch was in "on" position) but went out when approached. Sort of the opposite of a security light! That's when I decided to take bulb out.

Myser

Does it definately say audio and not auto?

If it is audio triggered, was anyone singing when the light was flashing!

dreaming

Definitely audioswitch. And no singing - just plenty of swearing.

Myser

Does it resemble the switch in the links I posted in my earlier post?

Smiths (Timeguard) don't seem to have an Audio Security Timeswitch listed on their website.

Perhaps it's an older product. You could try contacting them.

Just a thought, is the bulb an energy-saving type? Has it ever had an energy saving bulb in that fitting?

dreaming

Yes it is very like the link but the right hand small dial has a sun picture round it, and there is another on the left with the black dot with brackets. I have tried just about every combination of the dials and nothing seems to make a difference.
It was an energy saving bulb - do you think this could have been the problem? Might try to find an ordinary bulb and try that. Thanks - didn't think of that. Will also try to contact Timeguard (are they the manufacturer of Smiths light switches?).

Myser

Without a Fluorescent Strip Light Adaptor (FLA01), the security side of that switch probably won't work properly with a fluorescent (energy saving) lamp:

fluorescent-strip-light-adaptor

I think Timeguard was the new name for Smiths controls which in turn has now been bought by theben.

dreaming

Thanks Myser - very impressive knowledge. Have e-mailed company to see if they can provide any further information, and will look for ordinary bulb.

closed

you could just replace it with a normal switch.

the dials are probably audio sensitivity and time on.

some pir's have overrides that activate if you switch power back on within x seconds - which could go into flash on/off mode, or always on, also check the pir settings.

What type of pir light?