how to fit new light switches onto unidentified cores.

[sparkwright]

To the op...

Your picture needs to show where the wiring comes out of the box.

We need to see which WIRES emerge from which CABLES, and where they go to at the switch itself.

 

[markyd1]

and take your finger off that switch.......

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Also...I see a metal switch and an earth terminal that has no earth connection. Is there one.?

There is in the other box shown.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That appears to be a switch with a metal faceplate. Where is the green/yellow earth wire that should go in the earth terminal?

As per the other box shown, maybe it's connected to the back box.

If there isn't one you can't use that switch, you have to use a plastic one.

Earthing via the faceplate screws to the box is allowed.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Not earthed

You don't know that.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But as for the underlying question - it's the old Plan A/PlanB situation.

Robert - you need to either learn how light switches are wired, how lighting circuits work and use a multimeter to identify which conductors are which, or get an electrician.

Don't start experimenting with trial connections, even if encouraged to do so by others, and don't let decorators do electrical work in your house.

 

[Risteard]

Earthing via the faceplate screws to the box is allowed.

No it isn't. It is allowed to earth the backbox through the screws. (Not in the south of Ireland, incidentally.)

However it is absolutely not permitted to earth the faceplate through the screws.

 

[Risteard]

You don't know that.

Yes I do because it is a requirement that the cpc be terminated in the terminal on the accessory. I would also promote and endorse the running of a flylead to the backbox as correctly required by ET101 and RECI.

 

[markyd1]

But as for the underlying question - it's the old Plan A/PlanB situation.

Robert - you need to either learn how light switches are wired, how lighting circuits work and use a multimeter to identify which conductors are which, or get an electrician.

Don't start experimenting with trial connections, even if encouraged to do so by others, and don't let decorators do electrical work in your house.

At last...someone mentioning SAFETY

 

[Risteard]

At last...someone mentioning SAFETY

Safety's important, but he's fake news.

 

[SUNRAY]

I’m currently redoing an old house, I am abit of an amateur when it comes to electrics.
The decorators have taken the light switches off and I have since bought new ones.
In the master bedroom there is a double switch that controls the dressing room and the bedroom (there is another single switch which also controls the bedroom)
Can anybody help with which cable should go in which hole on the switch.

Thanks in advance

There will have been a short piece of red link wire.

 

[winston1]

Yes I do because it is a requirement that the cpc be terminated in the terminal on the accessory. I would also promote and endorse the running of a flylead to the backbox as correctly required by ET101 and RECI.

But foreign regs don't apply in the UK.

 

[Robert Hone]

The lights switches are safe, fuse has been taped down.
There was a short piece of red wire on the windowsill sunray

 

[sparkwright]

Amazed you didn't mention the piece of red wire, though I guessed there would have been one.

If you own a multimeter the wiring can be traced, but with the power OFF.

At the box where the switch is missing, are some of the wires ends folded over, and some not?

This info may give guidance where you can start testing (again, these tests would be with the power OFF).

Are you able to do a simple continuity test with a multimeter? If not, it would save everyone's time if you employed an electrician.

 

[SUNRAY]

The lights switches are safe, fuse has been taped down.
There was a short piece of red wire on the windowsill sunray

Very important --- Add the earth wire to the front plate
As one red wire is not doubled over and similar on one end of the link wire...
Follow my suggestion only at your own risk
This is what I would do but the first bit will be the earth wire: