Old light switch

[orbital]

This old light switch, lovely thing, but are they safe?

A bar joins the two switches together so it is only one switch

R2 reading 1.42 on right side, open on other side.

Owner loves it, worries me.

Any thoughts.

 

[sparkytim]

Wooden mounting block is the problem as it forms part of the enclosure.

(Fire risk)

 

[ProDave]

There's a whole house wired like that I visit from time to time.

The whole installation has old round toggle switches on wooden back boards etc.

I've told him it needs a rewire, certainly all the lighting is old rubber cable. But the owner is in his 90's and doesn't want the upheaval, so I just have to patch it up each time something goes wrong, and he says his son can have it rewired after he's gone.

 

[m4tty]

Ain't they coming back into fashion ? Or are the new ones lookalike made from plastic?

 

[ElectekAir]

Wooden mounting block is the problem as it forms part of the enclosure. (Fire risk)

+1

only thing you can do is note it on any certs that you do

As long as they test ok there is nothing wrong with rubber cables

 

[Badger]

degrading possibilty of condictors going bad day explode under the floorboards, is quite an issue i would say! also no earthing through cables to lighting so another big safety issue

 

[exbdc]

Hamilton Litestat do a similar retro switch in a choice of finishes.

 

[Evans Electric]

As Exy says ,there are a couple of firms producing retro style accessories , trouble is if you disturb that switch you may lose the rubber insulation.

The thing about the wooden pattress being combustible is interesting, has anyone ever found a burnt one. On the bigger incoming cut-outs in this area , Central Networks still fit a wooden bush plate between cut out and meter box.

Just remembered that we bought and fitted some sockets,spurs and light switches ,flush plates made from polished oak , other woods available.

 

[batty]

Let them keep them and generate work for yourself when they keep going wrong.

 

[Riggy]

degrading possibilty of condictors going bad day explode under the floorboards, is quite an issue i would say! also no earthing through cables to lighting so another big safety issue

ElectekAir did say "if they test OK".

 

[a1spark]

I agree with the points already mentioned in respect of safety issues with these open backed tumbler switches ,but Whenever I come across them I find that Although being in service in exess of 50 years, the solid mechanical clunck sound from these swiches when operating always compares favourably when compared to a lot of the flimsy modern day plate switches alternatives.

 

[wozz]

olivers switches are wooden and form part of the enclosure, still see these fitted and sold.