Electric switch covered in plaster, now light doesn't turn off

[davesparks]

What could the electrician have done here to make it safer while still allowing the plasterer to use the light in the room?

There's not much option for leaving the light working. Temporary lighting is the answer, most plasterers will have lead lights etc that they use.

 

[max861]

There's not much option for leaving the light working. Temporary lighting is the answer, most plasterers will have lead lights etc that they use.

Oh yes there is! Solution has been provided on previous page

 

[davesparks]

Oh yes there is! Solution has been provided on previous page

What solution?

Leaving the light permanently live? Hardly a good option!

Or do you mean the yellow box collar thing? That doesn't help with plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket and presenting a danger.

 

[DPG]

What solution?

Leaving the light permanently live? Hardly a good option!

Or do you mean the yellow box collar thing? That doesn't help with plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket and presenting a danger.

Post #14 Dave. Designed for this exact situation and re-usable.

 

[davesparks]

Post #14 Dave. Designed for this exact situation and re-usable.

Yes but it doesn't stop plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket.

 

[max861]

Yes but it doesn't stop plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket.

Doesn't it? It seems that's exactly what it was designed for

 

[davesparks]

Doesn't it? It seems that's exactly what it was designed for

Of course not, just look at the picture posted earlier in the thread. The whole front of the socket it still there to get plaster and water in.

 

[max861]

Of course not, just look at the picture posted earlier in the thread. The whole front of the socket it still there to get plaster and water in.

It's obviously not bullet proof. What it does do however is prevent the plastering spillage to the socket/switch internals which can be seen in my original post. If a plasterer manages to still get plaster into it then they really shouldn't be plastering.

 

[Markyd]

...and what would that achieve, other than a demotivated ----ed off trade.

Satisfaction

 

[littlespark]

It’s not just plasterers. Decorators sometimes take switch fronts off to paint around.

Joiners…. And specifically kitchen fitters are the worst.

You get a call from the customer…. Move a few sockets in a kitchen, wire in the hob etc… You get there and find sockets just hanging on wires… taped up bare ends with only a switch turned off keeping it from being safe…. And 3 under 10’s running about.



If any work involves removing switches and sockets from the wall, such as plastering… then the power should be isolated. Whether that’s inconvenient for other trades, it shouldn’t matter.