Pullcord switch removal/cap off.....how???

[actiongirl5]

Hi,

We have a weird ceiling pullcord switch in our bedroom attached to a 2way switch, it enables you to switch the light on and off whilst in bed. It is very outdated and pretty hideous and we would like to remove it or cap of the wiring.

The problem we are facing is that the loft above has been boarded out and we cannot gain access to the wiring from above. Is there any way we can still remove this switch????

Many thanks

Mandy

 

[sparkwright]

Sounds quite useful.

If you tell us how many cables are at the wall switch, and the ceiling switch, there may be any easy way to disconnect it.

 

[bernardgreen]

Sounds quite useful.

They are essential for one little old ( but lovely ) lady who considers a switch next to the bed is too dangerous. When she had to move to be closer to her family she insisted on having a cord switch over her bed in her new house.

 

[Starspark1]

Sounds quite useful.

If you tell us how many cables are at the wall switch, and the ceiling switch, there may be any easy way to disconnect it.

Ill bet (if wired a regular way) the 3 core and the twin are both at the pullswitch!!!
Sods law

 

[Chri5]

I'd just take the cord out.

Thing is a junction point needs to be accessible so you can't just join on connectors and stuff it in the ceiling, then plaster over.

The alternative is a surface lighting box

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

 

[OwainDIYer]

or just replace it with a new pullswitch that will look a bit modern and nicer.

 

[sparkwright]

Sounds quite useful.

If you tell us how many cables are at the wall switch, and the ceiling switch, there may be any easy way to disconnect it.

Ill bet (if wired a regular way) the 3 core and the twin are both at the pullswitch!!!
s***s law

That's right - on a re-wire you have a single 3 core and earth and at the wall switch to utilise the old narrow conduit. As you say, the law of sod.

 

[actiongirl5]

I'd just take the cord out.

Thing is a junction point needs to be accessible so you can't just join on connectors and stuff it in the ceiling, then plaster over.

The alternative is a surface lighting box

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Hi,

I know this might aound daft but what is a surface lighting box??? Do you mean just a regular light? I Know in the kitchen we had several old sockets with the red and black wiring that an electrician capped off with some large terminal blocks then places a blank plate over them....could we not do a similar thing or is that not advisable?

Mandy

 

[Burnerman]

Mandy, just lift up a couple of the loft boards, and do the work above the ceiling? Its easy enough to patch up the ceiling hole afterwards and you can leave any junction boxes accessible.
John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ill bet (if wired a regular way) the 3 core and the twin are both at the pullswitch!!!
s***s law

According to a topic a year or so ago they could be wired in series.

 

[acmedone]

The problem we are facing is that the loft above has been boarded out and we cannot gain access to the wiring from above. Is there any way we can still remove this switch????

You could sink a plasterboard back box into the ceiling and do whatever connections necessary to the wires inside that. This would just leave a blanking plate on the ceiling.

 

[sparkwright]

I liked the earlier comment about simply fitting a replacement pull switch.

It will be very useful.

Growing up, every house I knew had a two way pull cord above the bed.

When I was an apprentice I remember getting *******ed for assuming most bedrooms should have this arrangement fitted.

 

[actiongirl5]

Here is some more pictures of what is at the pull cord and what is at the switch on the wall.

Mandy View media item 47300 View media item 47301

 

[sparkydude]

Simples.

What you need is some connector blocks and a white plastic conduit box lid.

Turn off the lighting circuit and do as below:-

Disconnect the cables from the pullcord and remove the grey from the switch .
In the back of your old pullcord connect the two browns together in a connector block. Then connect the blue to the black in another connector block. Providing the earths are both joined in the terminal in the back of the ceiling pullcord pattress then leave them as is.

Then using the screws that used to hold the pullcord onto the box screw the conduit box lid over it . Turn the power back on and test . If the switch seems to be upside down , turn the power off again and move the black to the other terminal on the switch where the grey used to be.

Any problems come back to us .

Nick

 

[sparkwright]

I imagine you don't want to see any trace of the joint on the ceiling.

Either cut a neat hole in the loft floor and fit a 20 amp junction box (favourite option)

or

Join the wires in a maintenance free junction box, cut a hole in ceiling, and shove the junction box in the ceiling void and make good.