switch loop or switch leg. I believe the live power goes directly to a light bulb socket and then to the switch. So the light socket is always live. Apparently some countries allow this to save wire! Sounds insane!
alleycatz,
Jun 16, 10:36pm
i think this WAS quite normal in the "conduit" days but not done now ?
trade4us2,
Jun 16, 11:04pm
Overseas people are telling me that is it common, and not stupid.
bill1451,
Jun 16, 11:23pm
Slight correction there the "socket itself is not live" but the extra terminal on the socket or ceiling rose will be, this was quite common in older houses and DIYers would get caught out changing a socket they thought was safe and then get confused by the extra wiring on the back of the socket/ceiling rose.
bill1451,
Jun 16, 11:27pm
Actually its not really done now, but in days of conduit it made sense as only 2 wires at switch, but now open up a light switch and there will be a birds nest,
macman26,
Jun 16, 11:27pm
Of course it’s allowed. Why would it be insane? If you think relying on a light switch to safely isolated a light fitting I would be worried. But to be clear. The terminal the lamp connects to isn’t permanently live if done correctly. It is only live if the switch is on. You either use a connector for the loops (actives) or the loop terminal on a standard batten holder.
trade4us2,
Jun 17, 1:34am
I am being told that the power goes to the light socket all the time, and then on to the switch. That is of course insane and dangerous.
pauldw,
Jun 17, 2:26am
The fuse or circuit breaker is the isolator not the light switch. Just flicking the room switch off is the insanely dangerous thing. PDL battenholders have a loop terminal.
johotech,
Jun 17, 3:26am
Maybe you should just stick to whatever it is that you're good at, and refrain from commenting on subjects which you have absolutely no knowledge - which seems to be pretty much everything from what I've see you write.
redhead18,
Jun 17, 3:59am
Hoots Mon Go get a cold beer. After all ya'll probably find that the damn light in ya fridge IS Nuetral switched phase. LOL
trade4us2,
Jun 17, 5:08am
As I thought, others have confirmed that it is not legal in NZ.
woodhouse_elect,
Jun 17, 5:16am
You are incorrect, this is legal and is more common than you would think in older houses which have been originally wired in conduit or rubber cables and also some which are rewired (we use a RWB cable to differentiate easily). Also used in Australia where they use Single double insulated cables back up the walls.
tygertung,
Jun 17, 6:04am
It is much safer to switch the phase rather than the neutral, although I have just had my 80s coffee grinder apart and they are switching the neutral for some reason. Must be an Italian thing.
johotech,
Jun 17, 8:38am
Appliances work under different rules than installation wiring. In installation wiring, you can switch the phase(active), or both the active and the neutral. But not the neutral alone.
johotech,
Jun 17, 8:39am
"others" are just as wrong as you usually are. It's like you hang out with a bunch of wrong people LoL.
vivac,
Jun 18, 5:08am
Top fed or three plating has always been legal. So wherever you are getting your advice from is wrong.
trade4us2,
Jun 18, 5:29am
I shall ask the electricians at work. And I believe they will say that johotech is wrong. I hope he is not working as an electrician.
ryanm2,
Jun 18, 5:48am
Dude, you are wrong, mistaken, misinformed.
Triple plating is completely legal and still in use.
macman26,
Jun 18, 6:28am
Well a few sparkys have commented that it’s legal and still used (myself included). So if someone has told you it’s illegal ask for the relevant law/ clause / reference and we will listen.
bill1451,
Jun 18, 7:13am
If you actually knew anything about how houses were wired back in the day in conduit then you would realise it, doing 3 plating as it was called made good sense as it meant being able to loop between light fittings on the loop terminals, without having to run cables up and down to light switches,(E & N) that is neutrals and earth, the earth was the steel conduit, but instead you just keep repeating yourself, showing a lack of understanding of how wiring was done back then, not now with tps
bill1451,
Jun 18, 7:17am
OHHH bullsh*t go away get a set of NZ regs and read it up, again showing how little you know, are you a registered sparky or just a wanna be
captaingraham,
Jun 18, 7:59am
Obviously t4us2 is right and all us electricians on here are wrong and stupid.
bill1451,
Jun 18, 8:11am
yes we must have been wrong and stupid, some of us possibly for longer than "trade4 us" whatever he call himself, has walked this earth.
dastedly,
Jun 18, 8:12am
Really about if turn the switch on and light go is it. Then you not in the dark.It get lonely in dark at times.
tygertung,
Jun 18, 8:26am
I can't think of any good reason to switch the neutral in an appliance, especially with a metal body, but maybe an electrician would know more than me.
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