A 2 gang switch in my bedroom operates the en-suite lights and and extractor fan. The light switch isn't switching off so I think I need to replace this. Anyone know if this is an easy job to do? Is it just a case of replacing the old switch with a 2 gang 2 way switch? Or do you think I should get an electrician in to do it? If so should this cost much?
2007-01-15 07:17:17 · 7 answers · asked by tannadicelegend 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
What I would say is that the wiring is about 6 years old. Also I am UK so not sure how the colouring differs from that in the US. Also when you talk of the circuit breaker I assume what we would call the fuse box or consumer unit in the UK?
2007-01-15 07:31:46 · update #1
I have been an Electrician for 23 years. I am not sure if the UK uses a different color system then we do or not. Seeing as how each Electrician will wire things differently my advice is if you aren't comfortable with your knowledge or electricity call someone who is. No matter what the cost it is less than the cost of hurting or possibly killing yourself. A repair like that shouldn't cost much anyway. Just a service call fee and the cost of the device. Good luck and remember better safe than sorry!
2007-01-16 05:34:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jody May 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't a difficult operation provided you turn the circuit breaker off first (it sounds stupid, but it is the stupid mistakes that kill).
Take off the face plate and look at the switch so you can get a matching switch at your local home center. Then unscrew the switch and pull it out of the wall. Note the position of the wires. Usually the green is ground and it connects to a copper screw. All you have to do is unscrew the wires and then match them up with the other switch. Then when you finish replace the screws and the cover.
I don't know how much an electrician will cost, but I would think $40 minimum, probably more. I wouldn't pay that when I can get the new switch for less than $10 and do the work myself in less than 10 minutes.
2007-01-15 07:26:35 · answer #2 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If all you have to do is change the switch, don't waste your time or money on electrician! Turn your power off, unscrew the plate cover and the 2 screws holding the old switch in wall. Unscrew the wires that are connected to the old switch, you will have a black and a white. You should have a green for the ground but depending on the age of your wiring, you might not. Take the new switch and screw the wires to the screws. If it's just a plain two-way switch, it doesn't matter if you connect the black to the gold or the silver and vise versa. If you are dealing with a three-way switch this gets a bit more complicated and you must connect the wires in the same order as what you took them off the old switch.
Go to the DIY website, type in electrical switches and they usually have tons on information including diagrams!
2007-01-15 07:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by schwabapoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds very easy, and yes, all you really have to do is as you describe, get a new switch and put it in.
Two caveats -- make SURE the circuit breaker is off to that switch before you start (obvious, I know) and make sure you note which wires go where in the old switch so you put back the same wires in the same locations.
Would be quite expensive to get an electrician.
Good luck.
2007-01-15 07:24:06 · answer #4 · answered by geo1944 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you might just have a lose wire. It's an easy job to replace the switch though. Make sure you turn off the power first. I would remove the old switch and take it to the store with you and ask someone there what you should replace it with.
2007-01-15 07:23:07 · answer #5 · answered by CctbOh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you are asking should be reason enough to get an electrician. A straight forward switch change should cost less than $50 (most of that is just to get someone to show up so now might be the time to take care of any other electrical jobs).
;)
2007-01-15 07:37:39 · answer #6 · answered by seesallsayznothing 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you should be able to do this yourself get the same type of switch but make sure you turn off the power from your fuse box first thing and then take the switch lose and make sure u put it back the same way should be two cooper wires so make sure u put them back right the way they came from tighten them back up and put the lock things back put the switch back and turn power back on from fuse box good luck.
2007-01-15 07:24:59 · answer #7 · answered by monte the man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋