Old original period light switches , condition report.

[Guest569]

Doing an CR on a very old period property with some very expensive original features. It has been rewired around 10 years ago but they have reused the old original switches, some of which I believe to me 70-80 years old!

A few of the switches are clearly arcing when moved so C1 noted.

What about the others that are (or appear to be) functioning ok?

These switches are pretty special but Im not prepared to put them as acceptable. A basic toggle switch won't cut it in terms of replacing them so bespoke switches likely to cost a few bob.

Replacing them is going to be a real mess/expense.

Thoughts?

Im inclined to have them down as C2.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Anyway, Ive took all the "advice" issued. Thanks.

Im off to quote on replacing 17 period lightswitches ;p

Good lad.

Take your time with it.

 

[Guest569]

came across 'bakerlite' toggles recently, some appeared brand new and all were deemed ok. loose connections could also cause 'arc'. had modern switch that 'lit up' when operated. old might not mean unsafe.

See the difference in this post ? This is genuine advice minus the smart arse comments...Thanks Jaypp.

 

[Geordie Spark]

To hear you ranting on?

FINALLY you admit to being a troll.

 

[Guest569]

Good lad.

Take your time with it.

Should I quote for 2 new RCD boards as the current 2 are non RCD ?

Cause I have !....I should say the customer has asked for me to "upgrade where possible"

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FINALLY you admit to being a troll.

lol defo not a troll, just don't appreciate the smart arse comments.

 

[jaypp]

I should say the customer has asked for me to "upgrade where possible"

rewire!!

 

[Guest569]

rewire!!

lol, it was old colours ?? rewire.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Should I quote for 2 new RCD boards as the current 2 are non RCD ?

Cause I have !....I should say the customer has asked for me to "upgrade where possible"

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lol defo not a troll, just don't appreciate the smart arse comments.

Then it's a good thing you didn't get any.

The advice you were given was sound albeit wrapped in a bit of gentle humour.

Suck it up or move on.

 

[Aindowsimon]

Are these the old switches where the covers are screwd on by Hand old Bakelite small round thingys ?
, if so that's an issue as potential access to live part without the use of a tool . I would code that as a 2 me thinks .
Funnily enough I'm doing a job in a old hospital witch is now a museum were I am using the old( looking ) bespoke switches on wooden backing fancy

 

[Aindowsimon]

one of these ??
I always keep them when I come across them , don't know why ???

 

[Guest55]

, if so that's an issue as potential access to live part without the use of a tool . I would code that as a 2 me thinks .

by your (demented ) reasoning every lampholder ever built is a C2 then ?

ffs , i give up.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Are these the old switches where the covers are screwd on by Hand old Bakelite small round thingys ?
, if so that's an issue as potential access to live part without the use of a tool . I would code that as a 2 me thinks .
Funnily enough I'm doing a job in a old hospital witch is now a museum were I am using the old( looking ) bespoke switches on wooden backing fancy

My Mum's house had those switches until I rewired it an I can assure you that they DID need a tool to access the live parts.

The tool I used was a hammer because there were so many coats of paint on them it was impossible to screw to covers off them without smashing them !!!

 

[Aindowsimon]

Ha when I think an electrical accessory may be open'd by hand by absolutely anyone like a child or anyone . If a lamp holder is accessible to a child via bunk bed I've changed them before I think someone is at risk as with these switches accessible live part without tool . And with lamp holder I consider the use of a ladder to access a tool only an opinion witch I have . You give up ohhh I'm gutted il miss you

 

[jaypp]

modern ones, place rewired about 10yrs ago, split load boards

 

[Geordie Spark]

Ha when I think an electrical accessory may be open'd by hand by absolutely anyone like a child or anyone . If a lamp holder is accessible to a child via bunk bed I've changed them before I think someone is at risk as with these switches accessible live part without tool . And with lamp holder I consider the use of a ladder to access a tool only an opinion witch I have . You give up ohhh I'm gutted il miss you

My cousin when he was a small child circa 1955 got out of bed during the night to go to the toilet - as you do.

He switched the light on and nothing happened because his mother had nicked the bulb (lamp??) to replace one that had popped, so he climbed onto the toilet seat and stuck his thumb into the bulb holder.

He's going on for 70 now and still has the 2 scars on his thumb.

Had he been holding onto the water pipe (high level cistern - chain pull job) with his other hand he would certainly have been dead.

 

[MDJ]

Are these the old switches where the covers are screwd on by Hand old Bakelite small round thingys ?
, if so that's an issue as potential access to live part without the use of a tool . I would code that as a 2 me thinks .
Funnily enough I'm doing a job in a old hospital witch is now a museum were I am using the old( looking ) bespoke switches on wooden backing fancy

A code 2 Really?

 

[jaypp]

My cousin when he was a small child circa 1955 got out of bed during the night to go to the toilet - as you do.

He switched the light on and nothing happened because his mother had nicked the bulb (lamp??) to replace one that had popped, so he climbed onto the toilet seat and stuck his thumb into the bulb holder.

He's going on for 70 now and still has the 2 scars on his thumb.

Had he been holding onto the water pipe (high level cistern - chain pull job) with his other hand he would certainly have been dead.

joking aside that was lucky and also cos they had a toilet indoors! posh area eh?!

 

[MDJ]

Ha when I think an electrical accessory may be open'd by hand by absolutely anyone like a child or anyone . If a lamp holder is accessible to a child via bunk bed I've changed them before I think someone is at risk as with these switches accessible live part without tool . And with lamp holder I consider the use of a ladder to access a tool only an opinion witch I have . You give up ohhh I'm gutted il miss you

never mind, plenty more sheep on the mountain

 

[gnuuser]

one of these ??
I always keep them when I come across them , don't know why ???

i had one made of porcelain in my display case until someone binned it

anyway i would be concerned with its resistance when closed. and the condition of the contacts
at that age heat could have caused some weakness in the contacts.
its all well and good that a customer wants to preserve vintage equipment but safety is the primary concern here.
if you issue a report state the facts and make the customer sign a waiver absolving you of responsibility.
cover your arse

 

[Geordie Spark]

joking aside that was lucky and also cos they had toilet indoors!

I know!!

Very surprising that they had an inside netty considering that this house was in Nenthead (near Alston)

They had no gas and I'm not sure if they have yet and only had electricity courtesy of a lead processing plant in the village that was supplied from the grid.

 

[iamelectric]

c2 and where it says is further investigation required , write yes

 

[Aindowsimon]

Haha mdj that only happens just before we send them to England as food

 

[Aindowsimon]

A code 2 Really?

In my opinion yes . As the ones that are manufactured today have there live terminals insulated by a screw cover , with the round cover still screw'd on as originals did over the top I've got a load on the van at the mo . Just genuinely interested in others opinion on this I don't think my thinking on this is demented as per biff's quote

 

[MDJ]

In my opinion yes . As the ones that are manufactured today have there live terminals insulated by a screw cover , with the round cover still screw'd on as originals did over the top I've got a load on the van at the mo . Just genuinely interested in others opinion on this I don't think my thinking on this is demented as per biff's quote

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

 

[Guest569]

i had one made of porcelain in my display case until someone binned it

anyway i would be concerned with its resistance when closed. and the condition of the contacts
at that age heat could have caused some weakness in the contacts.
its all well and good that a customer wants to preserve vintage equipment but safety is the primary concern here.
if you issue a report state the facts and make the customer sign a waiver absolving you of responsibility.
cover your arse

I put at least 20 of them in the bin a month !

The ones in question are older.

 

[Fin170]

Wonder if he means the old industrial type toggle switches, they look quite smart in brass although I don't think it was intentional at the time

You might be able to find somebody that makes the porcelain switch units that go behind the plates but can't say I've ever seen them

 

[Marvo]

Heritage Bakelite Switches

Clipsal have a range called Heritage Page 29

 

[Flanders]

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

He did say it was rewired about 10 years ago using existing accessories

 

[Guest569]

Wonder if he means the old industrial type toggle switches, they look quite smart in brass although I don't think it was intentional at the time

You might be able to find somebody that makes the porcelain switch units that go behind the plates but can't say I've ever seen them

Yeah its the type that are held on by the threaded ring around the toggle only...

 

[Aindowsimon]

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

I think your offering to op ??

Like I say I've got a load of the new type on van I'm going to take a photo they look well witch I'm installing at moment

 

[Aindowsimon]

Made by , Olivers lighting company seems good stuff