Wiring electrical switch

[moggie 939]

Hello again
On the wall outside my bathroom there is a normal wall switch for the bathroom light. It has only two wires going to it - I suppose this is what is called single pole.
Because I want to replace this switch with one with a neon light in it (so I do not forget to switch it off as it also works the fan) I got one with the neon from Wickes, but it is called double pole.
Looking at the back of it an the instns leaflet instead of just two connection holes there are four - a live and a neutral at the top marked LOAD L & N and at the bottom marked FEED L & N.
The instructions say when used as a ring main connect both leads to the switch (obviously!) - but do they both go into the holes marked FEED or into the top ones marked LOAD - I think the bottom is that right.
Both the leads in the current wall switch are brown in colour so I understand it does not matter which goes into L or N
Thanks all

[docspock]

Your current switch simply completes the circuit by joinging the two wires together ( effectively). I suspect the existing switch has 3 holes marked ""common" (L1) and (L2)

Changing one of the wire from L1 to L2 will simply operate the light when the swith toggle is in the up or down position. I like my lights to operate when the switch is is the down position.

It doesn't matter where the two wires go as long as the light comes on.

All the switch is doing is connecting the live in to a live out.

Just experiment, nothing can happen as their will be no neutral available.

[AlBags]

Ruddy neon light's not going to work .. is it?!
WHERE'S the neutral?

[moggie 939]

Thanks docspock
So....... do I put one wire in hole marked FEED and other in hole marked LOAD.
There is no 'neutral' just two brown wires joined when switch is on.

[rojash]

As Albags has pointed out. You need both a live and a neutral to power your neon light. You have only one side of the supply (i.e one feed from the mains and one load to the light). The other half of the supply is going direct to the light, so your neon is not going to work.

[The Builder]

No Moggers .......... the neon needs a NEUTRAL (blue or black). Without it, it'll never work.

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone - understand and will leave it as it is!

[moggie 939]

Trimer.......

That is what I thought I would get! I want the neon light to come on when the bathroom light is switched on and to go off when I switch the light off - but everyone says this will not work.
On the current swirtch (without neon) I have just two wires both brown which I assumed were all you got on a ring main and they were both live and the switching on/off just isolated them?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

You need a light switch with a neon thats designed to operate without a neutral.The indicator lamp only takes a few ma and generally uses the earth as a return...but not always

[moggie 939]

That's the one Bright Spark - but what type is it and where do I get one?

[rojash]

But you haven't go an earth to use as the return.

[AlBags]

No earth required.
If MK Logic ... then I agree BS .. no separate neutral reqd. Handy.

[AlBags]

Jumper the common (L) across into L .. and use one gang for light .. one for fan.
Otherwise just use the one gang if fan is connected with light elsewhere.
Connect to LOAD terminals.

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone
Moggie

[moggie 939]

I have finally sorted it thanks to all you experts!

I could only buy a double pole switch with a neon. So I connected the 'live' wire to the L feed and the other wire to the L load. I then connected a wire from the earth into the N load and all works well. ie. when I switch on the bathroom light the neon lights up and goes off when I switch the light off.

Thanks again

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Moggie....this switch is not designed to work this way..if you get a high impedance fault in the neon then a potential difference could occur on metalwork within the bathroom...buy the correct accessory

[AlBags]

lol lol lol

After all that ... a botch job.

[moggie 939]

OK Bright Spark .....the switch is outside the bathroom.
Have tried everywhere to get the switch you mention - what is it called (in simple terms and where can I source one?
Are you saying it is dangerous to put a wire from the earth wich ison the metal back box to the neutral?
Thanks

[AlBags]

I already told you .... MK.
Not dangerous .. but could be if there is a fault with neon.