Light wiring query

[stender]

hi all just moved in to a new house. Have 2 outside lights. Wire comes out of the front of house brickwork into first outdoor light, then from that wire runs to another light outside front door. Looking to renew the lights but found that they only switch on when you switch the inside hall light. This is no good for me as I want to switch the 2 lights on independent of the internal light. It threw me because the inside hall has a triple switch with one which does nothing and I wrongly assumed was for the outdoor lights. Is it possible to have the outside lights switched separately without new cable? The triple switch has 2 cables. One operates upstairs light, other the downstairs and outside lights and 3rd nothing. See photos

 

[Echo the husky]

Probably, what is the wiring like in the hall light?

 

[stender]

I’ll have to have a look

 

[EFLImpudence]

When you switch the downstairs light on - and the outside ones also come on - do the outside lights not go out when you switch the switch which you say does nothing?

Is the middle switch the downstairs one?

 

[stender]

The middle switch does nothing that I can see whether the lights are on or off.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ah, right. That's unexpected.

Does the middle switch feel normal when switching it?
If it was not actually working and stuck 'on' all the time, that could cause the problem you have.

 

[stender]

Feels the same as the others

 

[EFLImpudence]

Switch off the power and swap the blue and yellow of downstairs and 'dead' switches.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Dear God

 

[SUNRAY]

Dear God

??

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That cable

 

[Taylortwocities]

That cable

....is not suitable for use outside. It will degrade due to the effects of UV and frost.
Not only that, any moisture will run down the cable and into the interior of the lights.

I assume that when you said "new house" you mean new to you and not a new build? If it's a new build then get it done properly under the house guarantee.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's also a disgusting way to supply the lights.

 

[SUNRAY]

....is not suitable for use outside. It will degrade due to the effects of UV and frost.
Not only that, any moisture will run down the cable and into the interior of the lights.

I assume that when you said "new house" you mean new to you and not a new build? If it's a new build then get it done properly under the house guarantee.

for clarifacation ?? = WTF.

Sadly this sort of installation is very common, even fully certified to part P sort of standards.

I hope it's not a new build with those colours and no sleeves.

 

[SUNRAY]

It's also a disgusting way to supply the lights.

But some people just don't care what things look like.