Is there a Neutral in these light switches?

FreeBear

GDB2222 said: I'm not sure how much these devices take to work? I assumed it would be pretty tiny and might not trip an RCD.

In standby mode, my smart light switches draw about 0.3W each. You do not want to be running the neutral connection to earth. Much easier to run a length of suitable single core cable down the conduit.

fenwick458

grumbler said:

fenwick458 said:

the single one in the garage with 2 blacks connected together isn't a neutral, it's a switched live. 

Why do you think so? Neutral makes much more sense to me.

but in the last pic I can see the joint box where there will be a neutral

I don't see anything like this in the last picture.

Assuming the second and 3rd switches are connected together.
the 1st switch (1G) looks to be the original one, wire in old colours T&E, and the red and black cable would have been live and switched live.
Years later somebody has ran a 3 core & earth (new colors) to the second switch in the garage to add a 2 way switch for the garage lights. so the black core is connected to the COM in the 2G switch, is the same black thats in the connector block in the 1st switch, which means it's a switched live
it's possible to get a neutral to that 2G switch without running any new cables, would simple need to swap red & black in the 1G switch, put a link in from COM to COM in the 2g switch, the red cable running from the JB above to the 2G switch is now redundant, simply sleeve that up blue and use it as the neutral (remove from the live terminal in the JB and put it in the N terminal.
and then I don't think it would be necessary to get a neutral to the 1G switch, as it can be operated from the 2G switch

fenwick458

GDB2222 said:

I was thinking of making our kitchen light switch smart. There’s no neutral, but there is an earth!  I guess that Incorrectly wiring it would be a no, then?

they make smart switches that don't have a neutral you know. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tuya-Smart-Wifi-Touch-Light-Switch-NO-Neutral-Wire-Required-UK-1-2-Gang/114415279647?var=414630849289&hash=item1aa3ae9e1f:g:JVQAAOSwF2pf9ro4

GDB2222

FreeBear said:

GDB2222 said: I'm not sure how much these devices take to work? I assumed it would be pretty tiny and might not trip an RCD.

In standby mode, my smart light switches draw about 0.3W each. You do not want to be running the neutral connection to earth. Much easier to run a length of suitable single core cable down the conduit.

A typical RCD is rated 30 mA, although it may trip at around 20 mA, which is around 5W. So, I suspect that one might get away with it. 

NB: This is just me being whimsical. I certainly agree that it must not be done! 

ComicGeek

They also make WiFi and RF 'wireless' switches that don't need any cabling or power to the light switch - work brilliantly, I've put them in my house and have used them on a number of projects. https://www.quinetic.co.uk/ Simple job to wire up the receiver for someone who knows what they're doing. 

I haven't bothered with the WiFi version, but have a mixture of the dimmable and non dimmable RF units. Switches are completely programmable, I can turn on/off the garage lights, the external lights and the whole downstairs lighting from one 3-gang switch by the back door.