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#122389 11/02/05 02:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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pauluk Offline OP
Member
Here we have an example of one of the problems of our shallow light-switch boxes (this is the standard depth of 1/2 inch).

The arcing which has taken place here could have been due to a loose wire or skinned insulation, but from the location of the marks, my money is on a conductor being trapped and nicked as the switch was jammed into the box.

Oh, and there's also a code violation here as well.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

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#122390 11/02/05 02:31 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 54
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Paul,
whats that stray 6491x doing in that box?

Britspark

#122391 11/02/05 02:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,441
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Hmm,
I'm guessing that the Code violation has something to do with either the box not being Earthed or if that 3-Core is a 2-Way switch wire, the green wire should be a different colour.

#122392 11/02/05 05:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 693
L
Member
I wish we could get ahold of cable with colors like that here for 240v circuits and switch loops. No more recoloring white wires!


Larry Fine
Fine Electric Co.
fineelectricco.com
#122393 11/02/05 08:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 456
C
Member
Funny you don't have it there in the USA, but they do make a 12/2 Red/Black NMD-90 for the Canadian market, and it is rather common in the home centers I've been in. It was I think originally made for wire in 240V heaters, but I have seen it used for other 240V loads and switchloops.

#122394 11/02/05 09:22 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
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e57 Offline
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Larry you can get it here, just no one stocks it, and rarely ever uses it because tape or 3-wire is much faster, and cheaper than special order wire.


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
#122395 11/03/05 07:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 1
T
Member
The violation has to be the single red wire going up. What was it for? Added three way?

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#122396 11/03/05 07:44 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
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pauluk Offline OP
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Quote
I'm guessing that the Code violation has something to do with either the box not being Earthed or if that 3-Core is a 2-Way switch wire, the green wire should be a different colour.

The green was actually connected to the earth terminal on the box -- I'd already removed it before taking the pictures (it's actually the bare earth conductor with green sleeving on the end).

Quote
whats that stray 6491x doing in that box?

For the benefit of non-UKers:
6491X = Single-insulated cable of the type normally pulled into conduit.

Quote
The violation has to be the single red wire going up. What was it for? Added three way?
You've got it! The added single was on the switch common with the red/black in the cable used as travelers.

Quote
I wish we could get ahold of cable with colors like that here for 240v circuits and switch loops. No more recoloring white wires!

Strictly speaking that black wire should have been remarked red, as black is (was) our neutral color.

We have cable with two red conductors, intended specifically for use on switch loops, although in my experience it's very rarely used.

Unfortunately neither red/black nor red/red will be available for much longer as we change over to the new brown/blue color code.

#122397 11/04/05 08:58 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 19
O
Member
That single 6491x cable should be a double insulated single. If that was used, and the box was wired neatly and laid in carefully the job would of been ok.

#122398 11/06/05 11:04 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
The real problem, of course, is stamped on the inside of the box:

Quote
MADE IN ENGLAND

[Linked Image] j/k!

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