Changing Light Switches

[chokkie]

We've got to change 2 or 3 light switches in our house and want to do it over the weekend. Not sure about something, so would appreciate your advice .... do we need to turn off the electrical system before we change the light switches? We have prreviously seen contractors do this in our house and leave the electricity system on, but we're a bit nervous to change the switches without turning off .. hope someone can help ....

[Old_Geezer]

You will have to turn off the lighting circuit for the floor you are working on.

A little concerned you feel the need to ask this is you are planning of working on the electrics. It's not difficult but some things should be known.

[chokkie]

I just wanted to be sure, it's a little confusing when you see contractors changing light switches without turning off the lighting circuit .....but thanks for the advice OG. Neither OH nor myself are DIY experts, so I wanted to be sure ....

[Prudie]

Are you sure the contractors didn't isolate the lighting circuit? They'd have been dealing with live exposed wires, I'm surprised they lived to tell the tale.

[Baldric]

Make sure you have the right replacements

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/switches-in-electronic-circuits-poles-and-throws.html

[Old_Geezer]

Be sure you note which contact the cable is connected to on the old switch before removing them. You need that information to ensure you connect the new one identically. Bit late to remove the old then wonder what was connected to which contact.

[chokkie]

Yeah, the contractors probably did turn off the lighting circuit first and I didn't see them do it. I have changed light-switches before, so have a good idea of how to do it. And I never take the old one completely off the wires, just do one at a time. Just one more question please - how can I tell which switches relate to the lighting circuit to downstairs - hopefully, this will be marked ...

[BRIGHT SPARK]

:-0

[malagabob]

Have you tried pulling/tripping each fuse out in turn in the consumer box to see which circuit is dead

[Baldric]

If you need to ask the question at 14:49
do you really think this is a good idea?

[Old_Geezer]

The MCBs/Fuses are usually marked. Or if not you can try each in turn and try turning the lights on. Or turn the whole house off, but that might result in resetting a load of things, like clocks.

[chokkie]

thanks folks, have actually checked the circuit board, and see that one of the switches is for the downstairs lighting. Which is where we need to change the light switches. So off to the DIY store tomorrow morning!

[alavahalf]

You can always tell electricians who regularly work on live wires (and they do).
Look at their screwdrivers and pliers ... they will have chunks missing out of them where the live supply arcs across !

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Has anyone heard from chokkie since the weekend?

[alavahalf]

That made me chuckle ... he's propably sat up in a hospital bed clutching a pair of pliers !

[Old_Geezer]

she

[BRIGHT SPARK]

...with a black face and curly hair..:-)