no power to cables behind light switch

[Halloween Jack]

hi all,

i recently had a 'superswitch' stop working that i used to switch an outside light.

after checking and replacing the bulb and fuse (which had both blown) it still didn't work.

so i swapped the switch with another and found the superswitch working and it's replacement is not.

so i guess it must be the leads are dead behind the switch.

could this be a critter or a junction box that's blown?

is there a good way to track it down? or do i just have to get under the floor boards and try and trace it back? i'm not even sure if the cable goes up to the ceiling, or under the floor.

cheers

 

[bongos]

EDIT: To remove the nonsensical suggestion(s)!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

check for 230v between live & switched live at the switch when in the on and off position.

That won't work.

 

[bongos]

Your're right!

Ignore my random post!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

check for 230v between live & switched live at the switch.

That won't work.

 

[bongos]

Hmmm. now i've actually read the post again it sounds like we have a FCU to an outside light.

So how about a check for voltage between L & N?

 

[Halloween Jack]

Sorry for the late reply.

Will I need a voltage tester? I have a screwdriver that is supposed to detect power, but stupidly I lost the instructions, so I have no idea what it's trying to tell me. So I don't ever use it.

I thought the fact that a working switch didn't work and that the superswitch did work in another location would mean the power's definatly dead.

So, do I need to buy some kind of voltage tester to trace the problem? and if so, how much will I have to spend? atre cheap ones ok to use?

cheers

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) Anybody who wants to do electrical work should get a multimeter.

2) "Superswitch" is a make, not a type, of accessory. So what type was it, what did you try replacing it with, and what cables have you got behind it?

 

[Halloween Jack]

i'll take some pics and post some further details tomorrow.

thanks for the help.

 

[Halloween Jack]

hi there,

here are some pics of the switch and wiring behind.

I tried this switch in a different location and it worked fine.

I also tried a normal working switch in this location and it didn't work.

could anyone give me some advice on what I need to check and what equipment I might need to buy to fixthis?

cheers

 

[bongos]

Throw the neon screwdriver in the bin and never let it darken your door again.

Go out and buy a multimeter. You can get one for around a tenner from a diy store, an electrical wholesaler, etc etc...

here are some pics of the switch and wiring behind.

I tried this switch in a different location and it worked fine.

I also tried a normal working switch in this location and it didn't work.

You will require the multimeter to measure voltage at this switch and possibly other locations if trying to trace a fault.

I have to admit I haven't seen one of these switches before. It looks like a timed FCU with only live supply/load and no neutral connection?

 

[Setone]

while you at it, stick a rubber grommet in the back box lol sorry pet hate

 

[londonboy]

while you at it, stick a rubber grommet in the back box lol sorry pet hate

.. you missed the lack of sleeving on the black!

 

[Steve]

It looks like a timed FCU with only live supply/load and no neutral connection?

Nope. Just a timed switch with large override. The fuse is, i'm guessing, to protect the switch itself. IIRC, these are designed to run on a 6A lighting circuit.

 

[Halloween Jack]

great thx for the tips guys. i'll get one of those multimeters.

what should i do once i get one?

cheers