The most common light switches are white plastic. But there’s a wide range of other, more decorative colours and finishes available, so homeowners can match their switches to their décor. Then cut the feed cable to the original light at a suitable position to install a three-terminal junction box. Old Fashioned Fabric-covered Electrical Cable in brown or antique gold (ring us to ask for a free sample!) At the new light position, connect its brown core to the central bank of terminals (which might be marked ‘loop’) and its blue core to the neutral terminal. Also, connect the earth to the earth terminal, adding green/yellow sleeving. For your safety, these products must be installed in accordance with local Building Regulations. If in any doubt, or where required by the law, hire a professional. Further information is available online or from your local authority. Never take risks with electrical safety. Before you start any type of electrical work, follow these safety precautions:

How to fix a borrowed neutral is to safely remove the borrowed neutral and make safe, then replace the cable with the right number of cores of the lighting circuits. Three or two way light switch wiring may be more complicated. A like-for-like replacement should be easy for a competent DIYer. However, caution should be taken when working on multi-way switches. The lights they control should be connected to the same circuit, but there may be live cables on another switch if they're wired incorrectly. We have a selection of Reproduction Period Lighting at our shop in Leek. Look at the Light Fittings & Lampshades section for a preview. Dimmer switches are ideal for rooms where people want to relax in softer light, such as living rooms and bedrooms. So, consider if a dimmer switch is needed. If so, ensure the light bulb used in the connected fitting is compatible with a dimmer switch. If not, simply change the light bulb.It was popular in the 1960’s to borrow a neutral for a two way lighting circuit and problems commonly crop up now, when a neutral is borrowed from another circuit to complete a two way lighting circuit. You will notice that you have an additional neutral in the lighting circuit through a visual inspection or when fault finding. Gangs and ways are the terms used to describe light switch connections. They tell you how many light fittings the switch can control and how many other switches control the same light. Here’s an explanation.

It’s always important to do your research before buying switches to ensure you’re getting the right product for your needs. Pendant switches also have a surface that's designed to accommodate the human finger or hand. This is so the electronic switch can be pushed easily. Add the perfect finishing touch to your period home with our great range of period light switches and other vintage light fittings, including a range of classic lamp shades and traditional light switches: It was also common in 60s/70s to feed the lighting with 2 core (line and neutral, with CPC either cut out or not used at all). If a bathroom extract fan is then fitted off the existing circuit and the extract fan has an overline facility, then 3 core is required (line, neutral and switchline) but the old fan may have only had 3 cores and then a borrowed neutral from another circuit.

Homeowners FAQs

If you find your screw terminals are loose, don’t be tempted to just tighten the screws with a standard screwdriver. Standard screwdrivers are not enough to protect you! VDE screwdrivers are required for safe tightening of screw terminals. VDE screwdrivers protect you with up to 1,000V and with 230-240V there that can potentially harm you, it’s important that the right tools are used.