Why do finnish lights switch work opposite to UK

mikebrads · Post by **mikebrads** » Wed May 26, 2004 5:21 pm

ahh, too long in finland, can't think of a better way to phrase it

anyway, what i was wondering is,

in the UK, light switches work by pressing on bottom half, flick down to turn on the light.

in finland it is press the top of the switch to turn on the light.

Any one shed any light on why the difference?

**Sponsor:**

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Wed May 26, 2004 5:23 pm

If it really bothers you, turn the switch upside down.

That's what they do in England.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed May 26, 2004 5:24 pm

Well, I'll give you a puzzle: my hall lights have switch from either end of the hall, so they come off and on whichever way, depending of which end of the hall you last turned anything off or on.

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Wed May 26, 2004 5:27 pm

Turn the hall upside down.

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Thu May 27, 2004 12:16 am

there's a standard for it in the UK. here there doesn't appear to be one (bizarre, no DIN standard? why not?) and so they're just on haphazard.

i'd seriously consider taking them off and turning them round.. it makes more sense the english way....

Bret

superiorinferior · Post by **superiorinferior** » Thu May 27, 2004 8:22 am

Actually, our 1930s-era Helsinki apartment has the old fashioned "peg" switch, which are still common in the US, and some were installed in the most inconvenient places (ie in the corner nook of the swinging door) AND UPSIDE DOWN (so down is on and up is off)...

I don't know, but i think the peg system (at least in the US) is standard up=on down=off...

I even think there are little "ON" "OFF" labels on the peg in the States... If my memory has not failed me.

You see, I haven't been back in almost 2 years, and when I get there this summer, I will surely be switching the lights on when I want to turn them off.

(And looking for them behind doors, rather than next to them).

best,
si

mikebrads · Post by **mikebrads** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:45 am

sounds like they have copied the US Standard then, Up is on (well at least in my appartment)

<sarcasam>
either that or there is no regulation/standard for it, this can't be right, not in rule bound Suomi
</sarcasam>

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Thu May 27, 2004 10:44 am

you've echoed my sentiments about germany precisely...

BAT · Post by **BAT** » Thu May 27, 2004 5:18 pm

mrjimsfc wrote:Turn the hall upside down.

This is definitely the best solution to your dilemma.

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:33 pm

I'm not sure if its the Finnish ability to be able to survive in th dark (after so many dark months), but when i go to bed at night i turn all the lights in the lounge and kitchen off, go to hall, put hand to the wall AND THERE'S NO LIGHT SWITCH THERE. There is only a switch at the other end of the hall for when you come through the door. And i never remember, every time i put my hand in the same place to turn the light on and then realise there isnt one there!

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:34 pm

DaveB wrote:I'm not sure if its the Finnish ability to be able to survive in th dark (after so many dark months), but when i go to bed at night i turn all the lights in the lounge and kitchen off, go to hall, put hand to the wall AND THERE'S NO LIGHT SWITCH THERE. There is only a switch at the other end of the hall for when you come through the door. And i never remember, every time i put my hand in the same place to turn the light on and then realise there isnt one there!

Dude I have the exact same problem

Post by **neil** » Fri May 28, 2004 1:27 pm

you dont need to turn the switch upside down, just swap the live & neutral around t'other way.

Tom and Jerry · Post by **Tom and Jerry** » Fri May 28, 2004 2:34 pm

mikebrads wrote:ahh, too long in finland, can't think of a better way to phrase it

anyway, what i was wondering is,

in the UK, light switches work by pressing on bottom half, flick down to turn on the light.

in finland it is press the top of the switch to turn on the light.

Any one shed any light on why the difference?

I feel so sorry for you. This is one of the most fundamental problems of the English and Wales people in Finland (The Scottish don't notice the difference, btw). Sincerely, I wouldn't follow the suggestions of the other, because in Finland you are not allowed to do your own electric corrections. The assurance (kotivakuutus) won't cover for it, in case they find out. And, they will always find out, because your neighbour will tell it to the police. The wrong switches are a tremendous problem. I know several families who left Finland for exactly that reason.

Well, I guess you have to adapt yourself.
But... be glad it's summer. Did you notice you don't need to switch on the light anymore at night?

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:23 pm

neil wrote:you dont need to turn the switch upside down, just swap the live & neutral around t'other way.

but please remember to kill the fuse / RCD beforehand

240v is OK if you're wearing rubber soles, but i wouldn't really recommend it...

Bret

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:25 pm

Tom and Jerry wrote: because in Finland you are not allowed to do your own electric corrections. The assurance (kotivakuutus) won't cover for it, in case they find out.

huh? even in my own house? i can't replace a switch myself? can i get my father (he's a UK Qualified Electrician) to replace it?

is finland significantly more rule-bound than i thought?

questions over questions...

Bret

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