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catalogue.:Hints and tips

DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER BUYING A DIMMER SWITCHDO NOT EVEN CONSIDER BUYING A DIMMER SWITCH
UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THIS.
Great news. Dimmer switches in our LUXURY,EXCLUSIVE, WOOD & STONE ranges are now universal. That means you can use them for normal lighting circuits AND LOW VOLTAGE SETS (usually small spotlights in your ceiling) without problem. Dimming low voltage lights has been a positive minefield, matching the correct type of transformer in your ceiling to the dimmer on the wall. Using an incorrect switch with low voltage sets will break the switch rendering it useless. NOT WITH THESE! Now you have complete ease of choice for dimming to achieve the lighting effect you desire.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on.

PLATE SIZES
Standard electrical fittings as found in most homes generally come in two sizes, single plate size and double plate size so, single light switches in a range are the same size plate as a single socket or spur unit and a 4 gang light switch (4 switches together, 4G) is the same plate size as a 2 gang (double,2G) socket.

Depending upon the manufacturer, some 3 gang light switches ( 3 switches on one plate, 3G) are on a single sized plate and others are on a double sized plate as can been seen with the examples on the left, so always check the size of your own light switch against the size of your choice of new light switch.
Single and double plate dimensions are displayed at the top of every range.

 


Fused spur, (connection unit) front view
Spur (or connection) units are used to connect fixed appliances to your electric circuit , things like extractor fans,combi boilers etc, instead of having them plugged in with a normal 3 pin plug.
All spur units have at least one of the features in the example shown right, and that is a fuse carrier (D) for a cartridge fuse, exactly the same kind as in a normal 3 pin plug, because it does exactly the same job.
Other features your existing spur unit may have are (A) a neon indicator light to show you when an appliance is switched on, a switch (B) allowing you to turn the appliance on or off and a cable outlet (C) for a flex cable to your appliance.
Spur cable outlets may be a hole in the front of the unit as shown right or coming out of the bottom of the unit via a cable grip as in the example below.
Some spur units have double pole connections (DP). you will notice this because there will be two neutral connections as well as the normal two live connections. PLease refer to the DP wiring section for instructions.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on.

 


 Fused spur, (connection unit) front view
Fused spur (connection) unit rear viewFused spur (connection) unit rear view
The reverse of a spur unit has markings (A) embossed on it (often difficult to see) telling you the connections to make.
The supply cable(s), those bringing electricity to the unit, are usually marked L(live) IN and N(neutral) IN, and the connections for the cable to your appliance are marked L out
and N out.
Some makes are marked L SUPPLY and N SUPPLY with the cable connections to your appliance being marked L LOAD and N LOAD.
There are usually two earth connections (B).
This unit has a cable outlet (C) through the bottom of the unit for a flex cable which supplies your appliance.
(D) is the neon indicator light cable which connects to the load/out connections thus telling you when your appliance is switched on.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on.  


1 & 2 Gang single & double plate socket
1gang (1G) and 2 gang (2G) sockets are shown here.They are also known as single and double sockets and are on a single plate and double plate respectively.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 1 & 2 Gang single & double plate socket
Back boxesBack boxes
Back boxes are set into the wall and used to mount sockets, switches etc. Shown here are two types of box for use with different types of wall.The metal boxes are for mounting in solid walls or onto wood within a plasterboard(dry lining) wall.Plastic back boxes are for use on plaster board walls.
The samples show No1 a double (2 gang (2G)or double plate size) metal back box. No2 is a single (1 gang (1G) or single plate size) metal back box and No3 is a single plastic dry lining (plasterboard) box.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


Grid fix system
The grid-fix system has the front decorative plate separate from the internal working parts of the equipment.This allows the front plate to be removed during decorating and then replaced afterwards to give a perfect finish.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 Grid fix system
1,2,3&4 Gang dimmer switches. 1G,2G,3G & 4G1,2,3&4 Gang dimmer switches. 1G,2G,3G & 4G
The dimmers we supply have maximum wattages of 250W and 400W depending on which of our ranges you choose.
This means you can use them on lights that have a combined wattage up to those max wattages,with a 250 max, for example, you could dim two separate lights of 100W max each which are both controlled by one switch, or a single chandelier that has four 60W bulbs max.The minimum wattage allowed for a 250W dimmer is 40W.
With a 400W dimmer, you could control two lights of 200W max each or one chandelier having ten 40W bulbs maximum. The minimum wattage allowed for a 400W dimmer is 60W.
These dimmers are not suitable for use with flourescent lighting.
Low voltage lighting can only be dimmed with these dimmers if they use the correct type of dimmable electronic transformers. These will probably have words on them such as "conventional" or "domestic" or "resistive type dimmers may be used".The transformers are usually to be found in the ceiling space above the light(s) in the low voltage set.

Under certain conditions dimmer switches emit a faint buzzing noise which comes from the radio interference suppressor.This is quite normal and safe.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on.

 


Dimmer/ rocker combination switches
These switches have a normal rocker switch to control one or more lights and also a push on push off dimmer to control others.The dimmers push on at any pre-set level of brightness.
These combination switches are not to be confused with the very old style of dimmer switches that had a rocker switch to turn them on and then a separate knob to adjust the brightness.With our fittings the knob IS the switch and the rocker is used to control a separate light or lights altogether.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on.  


 Dimmer/ rocker combination switches
Socket earthingSocket earthing
Always use the earth connections. Most household wiring systems have bare copper earth cables which are sheathed in a green and yellow covering (earth sleeving) or are specifically designed cable with green and yellow insulation.

In the picture you can see the earth cables covered with sleeving coming from the grey insulated main cable going into the connection on the socket and then on to the connection on the back box.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


Secure connections
All cable connections must be tight enough and each individual cable can be tested by tugging on it to ensure it is fitted properly.Loose connections heat up and are a very real fire risk.
Trim down the length of any live (red) or neutral (black) cables that leave bare wire exposed at the back of connection terminals on the socket to avoid the risk of contact with metal parts when the socket is pushed into position for final fixing.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 Secure connections
Locating fittingsLocating fittings
Something to take into consideration when replacing white moulded fittings is the size of the new fittings you wish to replace them with. Standard white fitting sizes are 85mmx85mm for single plates and 85mmx145mm for double plates whereas most of our ranges are bigger.Single and double plate sizes are given at the top of every product page.

The top example is an exaggeration but ably demonstrates when a back box has to be moved because of where it is sited, to accommodate a new style of electric fitting.As you can see, the new socket cannot be fitted properly because the bottom edges are obstructed by the skirting board.

The bottom example is another,more common instance of a fitting being sited close to a fixed feature.In this particular case there is very little you can do (unless you can be VERY creative with a wood chisel) because the switch is tight between two fixed features.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


Flat plate ranges
Some of our ranges are decribed as FLAT PLATE, and that is exactly what they are.The front plate is only 1.5mm thick lending a sleek, modern look to their application because the fitting sits flush with the wall. Because of this you must be sure that your back box is deep enough to accept the new fitting safely.
Care should be taken with some 1930,s and some modern homes,when internal walls are not thick enough to accept deeper back boxes.


IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 Flat plate ranges
Alternnative 2 way switchingAlternnative 2 way switching
When changing switches it is important to mark down the connections of your existing switch to make it easy to reconnect. Using a (preferably) felt tip pen, mark the top of your existing switch before you do any thing else so that you know which way up your replacement has to be, then loosen off the front screws and pull the switch away from the wall for inspection. Beware that sometimes switches are installed "upside down" and the word TOP marked on the back of the switch is actually at the bottom.Mark the cables with your pen to your own satisfaction so that you can identify them and then mark down the connections. These will be COMMON or COM, then L1 and L2. Reconnect the cables following your markings not forgetting the earth if your switches have a metal front plate.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


Double pole switching
Double pole switching (DP) is a safer type of switching in that both the live and the neutral circuit is broken when the switch is in the off position as opposed to normal switching where only the live circuit is broken.In the diagram, the supply is marked as MAINS IN and the equipment it controls is marked as LOAD OUT.
As with any other switching, it is important to mark down the existing connections before you disconnect your old fitting. Loosen the front screws and pull the fitting away from the wall, check which cables (both live and neutral in double pole equipment) go to the OUT or LOAD connections and mark them with a felt tip pen. Reconnect to the same in your new fitting.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 Double pole switching
Master telephone socket wiringMaster telephone socket wiring
1 GREEN or green & white
2 BLUE or blue & white
3 ORANGE or orange & white
4 WHITE or white & orange
5 WHITE or white & blue
6 WHITE or white & green  


2 Gang socket wiring
All earth connections must be used.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ELECTRICAL PURCHASES, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

Ensure the power supply is OFF on EACH & EVERY piece of equipment you wish to work on. 


 2 Gang socket wiring
catalogue.:Hints and tips