My bathroom light is a series of 5 GU10 bulbs the switch started to buz and the lights would dim slightly. Now the switch is jammed on the off position. When I took the plate off to look at the wiring I have 2 red wires going into the switch and the 2 black wires are not in the switch just together and capped in a bit of conenctor strip. quite concerned as cant find this wiring in any diagrams!

Alison, January 2010

Hi Adam,

I bought a new switch and energy saving light bulbs before I read your last reply! Just one more question the two red wires are in seperate slots one in com 1 and the other is in the 1 way. I wired te switch copying what was there before but just wanted to check that the wiring is right, I have a picture of the switch if there is a way of uploading it. The switch is a rocca from homebase so if it goes again I will get an mk.

Thanks

Alison, January 2010

No, most light switches are rated at 6 amps, and your 5 lights are only using about 1 amp.
The most likely reason the switch failed would be if it were a cheap make or if you bought it from B&Q. If you replace it with a reputable brand such as MK or Crabtree it shouldn't happen again.

Adam, January 2010

Thank you for the quick reply, do you think I overloaded it with the 5 x 50w bulbs? The only reason I say this is because the switch is not so old.
Thanks

Alison, January 2010

"Chillax", the wiring is fine. The 2 black wires are the neutral, and joined in the switch to avoid a big bunch of wires in the ceiling.

If the switch is broken, just turn the power off and replace it.

Adam, January 2010