View Full Version : Upside down light switch
Geno
22nd July 2006, 09:09 PM
We have a light switch that is "upside-down", in that whilst pushing it down turns it on, all the writing on the switch is upside down.
Flipping the switch so the writing is the right way up would mean that up would be on, which is not the standard.
This light is NOT on a loop.
I assume this was all done by the original "qualified" sparky who wired up the house.
Out of curiousity, why would the sparky have done this and what causes it?
bsrlee
22nd July 2006, 09:18 PM
IIRC, light switches in North America (USA, Canada) are made that way. Also hot & cold water taps are the other way round too - swapped left/right.
Strungout
22nd July 2006, 09:22 PM
The switch wire is probably in the wrong terminal .
Dan
22nd July 2006, 11:17 PM
...all the writing on the switch is upside down
What writing?
thatirwinfella
22nd July 2006, 11:38 PM
writing like "10a switch" or "fan"/"heat" type thing?
either a wire is in the wrong terminal like strungout suggests, or the switch has been clipped into the face plate upside down.
Harry72
23rd July 2006, 12:49 AM
The switch module has been inserted upside down in thr face plate, I dont think you can wire it to the wrong terminal as a switch is on or off?(breaks a contact)
Redgy
23rd July 2006, 07:12 AM
Light switches have changeover contacts, common, N.O. & N.C. to allow 2 way switching circuits.
Strungout
23rd July 2006, 07:43 AM
The switch module has been inserted upside down in thr face plate, I dont think you can wire it to the wrong terminal as a switch is on or off?(breaks a contact)
You should have 4 terminals being, Loop, Common, 1 and 2 .
The switch should be wired in 1 and C (Common) .The one you have will be wired in 2 and C (Common) (if its not a 2 way switch)
It won't effect the operation,except its upside down.
sol381
23rd July 2006, 08:04 AM
We just had our house rewired and i helped out the sparkie by screwing all the plates in after he had wired them up. Some were upside down so all i did was remove the 2 screws from the plate flip it 180 degrees and screw it back in. fixed.
stef
Strungout
23rd July 2006, 08:54 AM
We just had our house rewired and i helped out the sparkie by screwing all the plates in after he had wired them up. Some were upside down so all i did was remove the 2 screws from the plate flip it 180 degrees and screw it back in. fixed.
stef
I think what Geno is saying is that the switch is working the right way around,Down On - Up Off,but the writing on the mech is upside down.
The mechs have writing on them which, in its correct operation is on the lower side of the switch .The one Geno is talking about is facing up.
I Think??
rrich
23rd July 2006, 05:08 PM
Why? Some times it is easier to turn on a light with your elbow by pushing down. This would be used in a entry way. (Coming home with the groceries and need to turn on the light...)
In the US, the water in the toilet bowl does go backwards by your standards but our light switches are up for on and down for off. Usually the Hot faucet is on the left and cold on the right.
Except for the old (and probably outlawed) mercury silent switches, a switch can be mounted in any orientation. With our switches all we would do is to remove the cover (a.k.a. Switch Plate Cover) and remove the two screws holding the switch into the box. Gently pull the switch out to clear the box (15-25mm) and rotate the switch 180°. Then re-install the switch.
No wiring changes should be necessary.