Light switch

stebiz

The bulb stopped working in the bedroom and as the light switch was quite stiff I guessed something may have broke.

Upon opening the switch (electricity switched off) I noticed that there was 2 wires a black and red - old wiring I guess. I bought a new switch and connected the red and the black and it all works fine now.

I've read online that there might have been 3 holes on the switch - I only noticed two - is there any chance that I have put the wires in the wrong holes. It works fine. Just wanted to check.

cyclonebri1

stebiz wrote: »

The bulb stopped working in the bedroom and as the light switch was quite stiff I guessed something may have broke.

Upon opening the switch (electricity switched off) I noticed that there was 2 wires a black and red - old wiring I guess. I bought a new switch and connected the red and the black and it all works fine now.

I've read online that there might have been 3 holes on the switch - I only noticed two - is there any chance that I have put the wires in the wrong holes. It works fine. Just wanted to check.

No it's fine, you have a 1 way situation, the switch you used could be used in a 2 way situation. (it's cheaper to supply 1/2 way switches than separates, yeah?) You must have wired it correctly.

BUT if that is your limit of knowledge re wiring household domestics, then maybe ask 1st would be best advice?

stebiz

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

No it's fine, you have a 1 way situation, the switch you used could be used in a 2 way situation. (it's cheaper to supply 1/2 way switches than separates, yeah?) You must have wired it correctly.

BUT if that is your limit of knowledge re wiring household domestics, then maybe ask 1st would be best advice?

Yep. I agree. It's not really my cup of tea to be honest. Like I say I never saw a 3rd hole so maybe it was just two. So in which case it wouldn't make any difference whichever wire went each end??

societys_child

So in which case it wouldn't make any difference whichever wire went each end??

No it wouldn't, it's fine

stebiz

Thanks again to both of you.

cyclonebri1

societys_child wrote: »

No it wouldn't, it's fine

No it wouldn't, with the caveat that you got the right 2,, ;):D

stebiz

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

No it wouldn't, with the caveat that you got the right 2,, ;):D

Is there a joke in there somewhere? :)Hate electrics and wouldn't normally touch them with a barge pole. I guess the fact there there were only two wires in the switch I couldn't really go too far wrong??

societys_child

with the caveat that you got the right 2,, ;):D

2 wires - 2 holes . what could go wrong?:rotfl:

stebiz, as long as the wires are secure and the screws nipped up nice n' tight it should be no problem.

stebiz

societys_child wrote: »

2 wires - 2 holes . what could go wrong?:rotfl:

That's my bloody limit. You want to see me put a hinge on. :rotfl:

stebiz

societys_child wrote: »

2 wires - 2 holes . what could go wrong?:rotfl:

stebiz, as long as the wires are secure and the screws nipped up nice n' tight it should be no problem.

What 'screws' ?

Only kiddin.;) Cheers

Ben84

The third connector only comes in when you have two way switching - that is one light fixture controlled by two switches. These are commonly found in hallways.

Two way switching can be a bit of a headache to replace the switch, but a regular light switch is simple enough. It just connects the two wires allowing you to join them when you switch on and disconnect them when you switch off.

Anyway, if there's an earth wire, make sure you've earthed the back box. However, if it's a metal face plate switch make sure you connect the earth to that. Metal switches are fashionable now, but many houses don't have earthed wiring to install them properly. If you don't have an earth available you should install only plastic face plate switches which don't require an earth.