Electric light problem

[kwicky]

The light in the landing is operated by a two way switch. It switches on in the normal way quite satisfacory. But when switched off the bulb still glows faintly as though current is still reaching it. We have replaced the two switches with new ones but the problem still persists. The immediate wiring has also been checked.
What could be the possible cause and how could we cure it?

[burnhal]

Has this always done this? Does it do it for a while after switch off and then fade?
Are you definitely switching the live and not the neutral? If switching the neutral then the live will always be present at the bulb and may be fiding a high resitance to ground through the bulb and holder etc causing a dim glow.

[kwicky]

I am not aware of what you mean as I have limited knowledge and got my local builder to look at it but to no avail. From a users point of view the glow is intermittent and when the bulb is moved in the holder it switches on or off. The bulb itself had to be replaced because it blew (a low current long life one) and the fluorescent bulb was blackened and very hot to touch.
What do you mean about switching the live and not the neutral as we have not changed any wiring?

[wildwood]

If you are not aware of what burnhall is explaining you really need to consult an electrician.
The actual switch only switches one wire on/off to the light. If the switch has been wired faultly with the neutral wire connected to the actual switching mechanism, there will always be power to the bulb and a ground (partial) may be found by the electricity via other wires or lightfitting.

The fact that the bulb goes off and on if it is wriggled in the fitting is very worrying.

Personally, I would take the bulb out and consult an electrician asap.

[kwicky]

Yes I intend to call out an electrician but that is why I'm posing this question as I wouldn;t touch electrics with a barge pole but from your replies hope to point him in the right direction if he has any doubt.

The last time I called out an electrician was when our CH boiler refused to start. He went to a fuse spur and replaced the blown fuse with one of a higher rating which I found out later invalidated the guarantee of the boiler. I was charged �50 for this without really solving the problem and was only tackled by a 2nd callout. Beware! I could have changed the fuse myself.

[thundercrack]

did you only notice this since you put one of those energy saving little fluorescent bulbs in? if so, then the other reply is correct, the neutral is switched and not the live. ordinary bulbs would probably not have glowed, but those little fluoro's dont need much energy to make them glow, as it is the gas inside that lights up, not the element, so your wiring may have allways been wrong, but you never noticed? or is an ordinary bulb doing it also? let us know.
thanks, alf.

[kwicky]

Because this problem only affects one light socket I was wondering whether to just replace the parts that affect it as a call out charge would be far in excess of the small amount for the fitments. I have bought today a pendant set for about �3.

[lamborgini]

We had this problem with the 2 way switch in bedroom and only noticed it when we put an energy saving bulb in. A wire was kinked, so replaced it and no problem since.