Switch does nothing! safe to remove??

BenLovesDIY

Hi,

I have a single switch which appears to do nothing! all my lights work through other switches....I just seem to have a spare on the wall!!

Would you recommend removing and filling the hole, or actually putting some time into finding what it originally did?!

Cheers

sm1thson · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:28 pm Post Subject:

well you cant fill it untill you know the cable to it are dead. there are rules about live cables only running vertically and horizontaly from acessories and in the corners and top edge of the wall -this is so you dont hit a live cable putting a picture hook etc in the wall, if you fill it there will be nothing to say the cables are there.

so its up to you:

1) leave it as it is.

2) put some time in to ensure its dead, then fill it.

BenLovesDIY · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:27 pm Post Subject:

the confusing thing is that it was in the downstairs bathroom which i thought had to have a pull chord?

Think i'll just remove it!

Might need to start a manual on where potential hazards in the house might be!!

Thanks
Ben

JohnD · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:35 pm Post Subject:

sm1thson wrote:

well you cant fill it untill you know the cable to it are dead.

He's right.

Why did you ask?

EddieCurrent · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:47 pm Post Subject:

Hi,
I know it's a long shot, but it is not a fan isolator switch by any chance ??

Yarn · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:04 pm Post Subject:

Is the mystery switch at a position and height on the wall similar to your other light switches?

Are you sure the control is a light switch and not a FCU?

A switch has to have a live cable in and another cable that is being switched. Have you actually taken the facia of this switch and confirmed that it has any wires going to it. (If there are no wires inside, then i would say that it is safe to fill!!)

BenLovesDIY · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:14 pm Post Subject:

Yeah, i've taken off the cover and there are wires going to it.

It is normal height for a light switch (but also there is a pull chord in the same room)

There is only 1 light in the room, no fan, one pull chord that works the light and then the 'other switch'!!

securespark · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:40 pm Post Subject:

Is it live, then?

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Yarn · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:42 pm Post Subject:

how many different cables enter the box behind the switch ?