Switch With A Neon Warning Light.

[Bramleyboy]

We have a small dressing room with 4 lights. My wife is always leaving the light on. So I thought I would fit a switch with a light on so we could tell if the light was on. I bought one but I cannot fit it. The old switch has a Comm with two brown wires and a L1 with one brown wire. The new switch has four holes, L in, L out, N in and N out. As all the wires are Brown I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried loads of combinations. One works the light and another works the neon!! Any contribution gratefully received. Happy Christmas everyone, Bramley.

[bhg481]

The switch you've bought is not designed for lighting use, it's for heavy current devices, such as washing machines powered from the ring-main. It's very difficult to do what you want to do, as neons need a neutral wire and most lighting switches don't have one at the switch end. I understand your problem as I've thought about doing the same thing with a loft light with a switch on the landing. If someone on here comes up with a solution I'll be cribbing it.

[bhg481]

You could replace the switch with oe of these:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/elkay-outdoor-2-wire-pir-timer/57008

A bit (lot) expensive just to save electricity - it would detect someone going into the dressing-room and then keep the light on for the time you set up to 2 hours. The switch would have to be inside the dressing-room, though, so all round not a very good solution.

[gingejbee]

So, your wife doesn't notice that she's left four lamps lit....but she WILL notice a small glowing neon? Interesting.
I made this point last time you asked about this, and still don't understand...!

[bhg481]

Perhaps, as in the case with our loft light, the switch is in one room and the light in another.

[Buenchico]

Given that this has been going on for 10 months (see 'Related Questions', below), I'm beginning to think that divorce might be simpler ;-)

[gingejbee]

....or a little notice on the wall..."Turn off the lights!"

[Mamyalynne]

A klaxon or tannoy announcement as she leaves the room.

[jennyjoan]

Or as I had to do - call the electrician. They do know what they're doing and safely too.

[vulcan42]

Put a pressure pad switch on the floor, switches on when your wife walks in and off when she goes out.

[bhg481]

Lateral thinking solution - replace the door with one with a glass panel in it; if the light is left on you'll see it even if the door is closed.

[Ryzen]

Take a neutral wire from the room light down to the switch N in.... put the common brown into L in and the L1 brown into L out and it will work.