Hi,
I want to replace the existing white double-switch to a new one from Screwfix.
Would this be a simple task?
Thanks
Maybe or Maybe not. Metal switches 'require' an earth. Is there an earth wire behind the switch?
What colour would it be? Is there any way to figure this out?
House is built in 2020.
Green and yellow, usually tied into an earthing post at the back of the box. You may need to have some spare wire to extend it put to the switch.
BTW, that's the Schneider switch, it has a face-plate which covers the switch-plate... it can be a tricky one to install if the wall isn't flat. Nice switch otherwise.
Thanks.
It's outside of my capability.
What about this switch? Would this need earthing too?
Anything metal faced needs earthing.
A house around 2000 should have earth's in switches.
You need an electricians screwdriver to both test the wires for power and unscrew the terminals.
It's simple enough, ensure power is off at the consumer unit is the most important thing. Best to just switch off the whole house at the main breaker to be safe.
Open up the switch.
Test all wires with your electricians screwdriver before doing anything else ( Google how to use an electricians screwdriver).
The switch should be the same on the back as the new one.
Simply unscrew each wire in turn and screw it into the equivalent terminal on the new switch. Repeat for all wires.
If the leads are not long enough to do this then you need to label each wire and disconnect them all, make notes and take photos.
Attach new earth jumper between the back box and the earth terminal on the switch.
Give each wire a firm tug to ensure it is secure.
Screw back into place.
If you mix up your wires you are into a nightmare job which will be beyond you to fix and you will need to get a sparks to correct so take your time.
Thanks for the detailed guide.
Could I ask if I could disconnect earth wire from the backbox and simply attach it to the new metal switch? Rather than using a jumper?
If the back box is metal it also needs earthing. If it's plastic it's got its own earth lug as an attachment point, in theory you could then swap it over but I would use a short jumper.
You can buy lengths of green and yellow earth sleeve to put over a bare wire to designated it.
Be very careful how you stuff all the wires back into the back box, they can enter the pathway of the faceplate screws and get damaged. If they do then the whole switch can go live and will trip out when you power back up. You will then have a big job making good the damage.
There are good YouTube vids on doing all this, watch as many as you can before starting. Avoid American ones as they do things differently.
You could disassemble the switch and take a photo and upload it here. We'll know quickly if it's going to be easy or not.
Ok, perfect. I will share a picture later on today.
Could you please share a link of earthing jumper wire? I am getting different results on Google.
Still need an earth from that switch plate last week 😉
Yes! It's on my mind since this morning. So far things are good, fingers crossed 🤞
It's just a ~10cm piece of earth cable with both ends trimmed so that it can be screwed into both the backbox or point where the earthing wires are all gathered and then out to the front plate of the new switch.
I am attaching the pictures with the backbox.
Please guide me if it's an easy replacement to a metal plated 2 gangs switch.
The back box is metal so you absolutely need a jumper wire to your new switch.
Otherwise looks very straightforward and there is plenty of slack.
Stupid question. Do the screws not do the same job as the jumper earth?
Not really, the screws can be removed and the faceplate could go live.
The whole jumper thing is so rudimentary a requirement and if you can't see it's critical importance you have no business opening up a socket.
I can't find a jumper wire online, most results shows wires for a car.
Can you please share an example?
He means a short section of yellow and green earth cable. Off cut off cable. Shielded.
this explains it all.
Oh sweet jaysus. There’s an earth wire being used as a switched live.
Thanks for your friendly reply. Obviously the jumper is SOP, it was just a question.
Can you elaborate with the colours of the wire please?
There are lives at risk, honestly.
Electrical safety is critical and why the Irish authorities now discourage householders from doing anything to their wiring on pain of prosecution.
To many idiots have electrocuted themselves or others or burnt their houses down.
This green/yellow wire should not be used for switching. There’s a danger that someone will think it’s an earth wire whilst it is in fact live when turned on and could lead to electrocution
I get it now.
There is a black tape wrapped around the green-yellow wire. Only at the very end you can see tiny bit of green yellow. Nonetheless, it's risky.
I’d be interested in the other end(light fitting). There’s probably no earth at it
A screw isn't a reliable electrical connection. Can't depend on it, hence a wire is needed.
Judging by the wiring in the OP's house it would seem the authorities are barking up the wrong tree in terms of who's putting lives at risk. Any old colour will do, just stick a bit of tape on it. A bit scary that this suffices in 2020, regulation is still non existent it seems.
Thanks all for your help
Could I ask what's the "Loop" in the new switch? And does any wire need to go in there? It's a bathroom switch that turns on both light + exhaust fan with a single switch. Pics below:
Old:
New:
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w7.vanillicon.com/v2/761dc761e98b4e4a2ae41c6abf8a928b.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wf.vanillicon.com/v2/f6ec3b6ae14cc6cd4a0e3a3374e0ef7b.svg)
