Bit of advice, does the wiring of these dimmer switches look ok to you?

[Simon Newman]

I hope it's ok to ask, I just want to make sure I don't get the same electrician who wired the house to fix this if this doesn't look right.

We have a 3 gang and a 2 gang dimmer switch, on which the buttons are knackered on both. I thought I'd have a go at replacing them myself, but was not prepared for what was beneath the plates.

Apart from some snipped off cables, some cables with connectors on the end not used, I found that the 2 gang dimmer has 4 brown wires into one gang and 2 into the other. The 3 gang switch seems to be nearly all brown wires (although I can see some are chaining the gangs together). The two main power cables in have their earths joined it seems.

It maybe that this is all fine, but I wanted to check in case I get the same electrician. It looks like a mess to me, but I wouldn't know to be honest.

Thanks for your help.
Simon

 

[Simon Newman]

The photo of cars was not meant to be there, but if you happen to be on the Isle of Wight, traffic is terrible due to the festival

 

[Bobster]

Get an electrician in, that looks a right dogs dinner.

It's probably wired correctly, but needs tidying up. An those screw connector blocks are not supposed to be used unsupported like that. Not sure why they they used them seen as they heave used proper wagos elsewhere.

Edit: there's also a lot of exposed copper in those photos. Be very careful as it may well be live.

 

[Simon Newman]

Thanks. Definitely getting an electrician, and I'll make sure it's not whoever did it in the first place. Only got put in the last few years.

 

[Wilko]

Often they haven't been hit with the neat stick enough during their training. Can only agree with @Rob. If you've got all the bits to hand that's a good start. There's folk here that are in your part of paradise .

 

[westward10]

Never ceases to amaze me how some people make such a lash up of simple lighting circuits.

 

[Octopus]

Interesting - have you been changing light fittings and / or light bulb types?

EDIT: Lack of rubber grommets where the cables enter the metal box isn't a good sign either ........

AND those look like 25mm back boxes .......... so the dimmers probably got a bit hot!

 

[littlespark]

No grommits in the cable entry holes.
Too much copper showing at terminals.
What are the white plastic shims for?


I am guessing there's bad blood between you and the electrician that put this in? Past experiences?

 

[ruston]

Interesting - have you been changing light fittings and / or light bulb types?

EDIT: Lack of rubber grommets where the cables enter the metal box isn't a good sign either ........

AND those look like 25mm back boxes .......... so the dimmers probably got a bit hot!

Right mess as Rob says . For what it takes to even clean a bit of debris from the boxes shows the standard.

 

[Dave OCD]

Quite simply it's RAF and whoever did it should not be earning money as an electrician, but sadly this kind of 'workmanship'seems all too common these days.

 

[westward10]

Oversized green/yellow sleeving irritates the --- off me.

 

[Dave OCD]

In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the same 'Sparks' did some wiring in Burnt House Lane.

 

[Dave OCD]

Oversized green/yellow sleeving irritates the --- off me.

Really ?

 

[123]

I don't think those wago connectors have been around too long, a couple of years at most?

That's a lot of failed dimmer's within that period.

And as others have said, what a mess in those backboxes, really poorly done, and way too much exposed copper on show.

 

[Wilko]

Oversized green/yellow sleeving irritates the --- off me.

I think this is a case where no amount of 2mm sleeving could make one feel better ...

 

[Pete999]

I hope it's ok to ask, I just want to make sure I don't get the same electrician who wired the house to fix this if this doesn't look right.

We have a 3 gang and a 2 gang dimmer switch, on which the buttons are knackered on both. I thought I'd have a go at replacing them myself, but was not prepared for what was beneath the plates.

Apart from some snipped off cables, some cables with connectors on the end not used, I found that the 2 gang dimmer has 4 brown wires into one gang and 2 into the other. The 3 gang switch seems to be nearly all brown wires (although I can see some are chaining the gangs together). The two main power cables in have their earths joined it seems.

It maybe that this is all fine, but I wanted to check in case I get the same electrician. It looks like a mess to me, but I wouldn't know to be honest.

Thanks for your help.
Simon

View attachment 42876

View attachment 42877

View attachment 42878

View attachment 42879

View attachment 42880

View attachment 42881

View attachment 42882

Are you sure the person that bodged that up is an Electrician? it's a kack job.

 

[Pete999]

I hope it's ok to ask, I just want to make sure I don't get the same electrician who wired the house to fix this if this doesn't look right.

We have a 3 gang and a 2 gang dimmer switch, on which the buttons are knackered on both. I thought I'd have a go at replacing them myself, but was not prepared for what was beneath the plates.

Apart from some snipped off cables, some cables with connectors on the end not used, I found that the 2 gang dimmer has 4 brown wires into one gang and 2 into the other. The 3 gang switch seems to be nearly all brown wires (although I can see some are chaining the gangs together). The two main power cables in have their earths joined it seems.

It maybe that this is all fine, but I wanted to check in case I get the same electrician. It looks like a mess to me, but I wouldn't know to be honest.

Thanks for your help.
Simon

View attachment 42876

View attachment 42877

View attachment 42878

View attachment 42879

View attachment 42880

View attachment 42881

View attachment 42882

Are you sure the person that bodged that up is an Electrician? it's a kack job.

 

[123]

It's so bad @Pete999 had to say it twice

 

[Pete999]

It's so bad @Pete999 had to say it twice

Getting a lot of double posts, anyone else having the same issues or is it my fat fingers?

 

[Simon Newman]

We only moved in a couple of months ago. Those switches are on a recent extension that only got done a few years ago. Also our power keeps tripping, got an electrician to come check and apparently a lot of leakage. We found the hob was leaking 10 milliamps so I switch that off at the fuse box when we are out now otherwise we lose everything in the freezer. Getting worried that it's all been done like those switches now. Anyone local who wants to come have a look?

 

[Pete999]

We only moved in a couple of months ago. Those switches are on a recent extension that only got done a few years ago. Also our power keeps tripping, got an electrician to come check and apparently a lot of leakage. We found the hob was leaking 10 milliamps so I switch that off at the fuse box when we are out now otherwise we lose everything in the freezer. Getting worried that it's all been done like those switches now. Anyone local who wants to come have a look?

To far for me, plus I don't do boats.

 

[westward10]

Too much traffic

 

[Simon Newman]

Interesting - have you been changing light fittings and / or light bulb types?

EDIT: Lack of rubber grommets where the cables enter the metal box isn't a good sign either ........

AND those look like 25mm back boxes .......... so the dimmers probably got a bit hot!

Haven't changed any fittings or bulbs. The buttons were flaky when we moved in. Previous owners probably decided to put up with it once they'd taken the plates off!

 

[Pete999]

We only moved in a couple of months ago. Those switches are on a recent extension that only got done a few years ago. Also our power keeps tripping, got an electrician to come check and apparently a lot of leakage. We found the hob was leaking 10 milliamps so I switch that off at the fuse box when we are out now otherwise we lose everything in the freezer. Getting worried that it's all been done like those switches now. Anyone local who wants to come have a look?

Do you have any installation certificate appropriate to the work that has been done, do you know the "Electrician" that did, sorry bodged up this installation? if yes get the cowboy back to get it sorted, that is if it's still under some sort of warranty, what a mess.

 

[Simon Newman]

Do you have any installation certificate appropriate to the work that has been done, do you know the "Electrician" that did, sorry bodged up this installation? if yes get the cowboy back to get it sorted, that is if it's still under some sort of warranty, what a mess.

I'll check the paper work. I'm guessing it was done more than a year ago though. Not sure I'd want same person to sort it anyway, as I'm worried about the rest of the wiring now (main switch trips couple of times a week) and would like the rest checked out.

 

[Simon Newman]

Any advice on how I can check another electrician isn't a bodge jobber before I get them in?

 

[telectrix]

check with friends and family. personal recommendation is the best way forward.

 

[Wilko]

Ask 'em if they're on here - plenty of feedback then

 

[Dave OCD]

Ask some friends or family if they know anyone good, also I don't think Checkatrade and the like are a good way to do this but I'd say Trustmark reviews [do a search under Electricians using your postcode] should be a reasonable indicator.

 

[camerabloke]

To op. Have you got a stable block?

 

[telectrix]

To op. Have you got a stable block?

can't have anything stable on IOW. it rocks like a demented rapper every time the tide turns.

 

[StephenRowley]

Previous owners probably decided to put up with it once they'd taken the plates off!

my bets are on it being the previous own diy work

 

[StephenRowley]

Previous owners probably decided to put up with it once they'd taken the plates off!

my bets are on it being the previous own diy work

 

[Pete999]

Any advice on how I can check another electrician isn't a bodge jobber before I get them in?

Could say check if they belong to one of the Competent Persons Schemes CPS, but even that doesn't mean that much these days, check around ask for referrals and proof of qualifications etc. If the paperwork, if you find any show that they belong to one of the CPS you could always contact them, but from what I have heard, they probably won't do anything, try Trading Standards, it's so sad that this type of thing goes on.
But of course it could also be the previous owners DIY attempts, proving guilt is going to be pretty much an impossibility, just hope you can find a Proper Electrician, and if you are that concerned, have an EICR done (Electrical Installation Condition Report) could be around 200 = 300 pounds, any faults that they find can be quoted for after the report is done, sorry for the long winded reply. Please let the forum know what any outcome is.

 

[Simon Newman]

Thanks for all your help folks. I've managed to find a good electrician recommended by a family member. Coming over early next week. I'll let you know what he finds! Hopefully he will find a way to stop the RCD keep tripping too.