Does this wall have electric cables inside?

[Davechip]

Apologies in advance if there is a simple answer to this that hasn't occurred to me!

So, the house is mid-terrace. As you look at the house, there is a front door on the left, living room on the right. That wall, going back between the hall and the living room, has no sockets or light switches etc. (until you get right back to the other side of the door into the living room).

What are the chances of there being any electric cables in that wall? My problem is that I really need to be able to switch the hall light on from by the front door, instead of having to walk all along the hall to get to it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[EFLImpudence]

What are the chances of there being any electric cables in that wall?

0% or 100%.
Probably not but it might.

My problem is that I really need to be able to switch the hall light on from by the front door, instead of having to walk all along the hall to get to it.

You will need to run a 3core&earth from the existing switch to the new switch position.

It's very unusual not to have a switch by the front door.

Can we have a picture of the existing switch wiring?

 

[flyingsparks]

If you want to be able to turn the hall light on, then you need a switch wire to do this, so if there are any other cables there is irrelevant. The chances of there being a switch wire there blanked off in the wall which is ready to use - I don't think so! You need to run a twin and earth cable from the ceiling rose to where you want the switch.

 

[ericmark]

There are a load of ways to remote switch lights you don't need wires.

 

[EFLImpudence]

That's cleared that up then.

 

[AndyPRK]

Lol

Sounds like you need to run a cable from the existing switch to a new switch.

Is there only one switch that controls that light ?

 

[Davechip]

Thanks a lot for the help so far folks.

The existing switch is along the hall at the bottom of the stairs and is a two-way controlling the hall light and the landing light upstairs. Upstairs on the landing is a similar switch controlling both the hall light and landing light as well.

The ceiling light itself is quite far along the hall. And the existing switch is even further, in the hall, but the other side of the living room door. So running cable from either is going to be more complicated than I'd like.

Oh well! Sounds like that is the only option.

 

[AndyPRK]

If you want 3 switches controlling a light you need to buy an intermediate switch.

You want the intermediate to replace your existing switch so a 2 gang one.

 

[333rocky333]

As ericmark suggests, lot of wireless stuff has progressed the last few years.
It may involve chopping deeper boxes to accomadate the extra gubbings behind the switches, but certainly in the scope of a competent Diyer.


Many old school electricians, myself included, still prefer the wired type, but i now feel its time to move with the times

 

[bernardgreen]

Many old school electricians, myself included, still prefer the wired type, but i now feel its time to move with the times

I am old school but accept new technology can be beneficial.

But I also have 12 years experience in designing equipment that used radio communications. The proliferation of equipment using the few licence exempt frequencies will lead to more and more instances of equipment "failure" where one system has blocked or false operated something in a different system.

If one item has to be mobile then wireless is an option. But if all items are fixed then wired is the best option.

 

[JohnW2]

The proliferation of equipment using the few licence exempt frequencies will lead to more and more instances of equipment "failure" where one system has blocked or false operated something in a different system.

[I'm also 'old school' - even if I did install some ultrasonically-operated light switches back in the 70s/80s!] Yes, that obviously is an increasing concern, although I would imagine that frequency allocations will evolve over time to at least partially accommodate the needs of the changing world. The technologies themselves will probably also evolve so as to make more efficient use of the available 'channels'.

Kind Regards, John