Bathroom pull switch

[INOP]

Hello all.

This is my first post so here goes.

My flat has a bathroom pull switch mounted on a concrete ceiling? (solid ceiling) and I would like to remove the pull switch and extend the wire roughly 3.5 feet to the wall (plasterboard) outside the bathroom door where I would use a single plasterboard back box and a normal rocker switch matching the rest of my light switches.

I am aware my neighbour did the same in his flat but not sure if this is a diy job or not and sadly he has since moved. I know many pull switches in the building have been changed to rocker switches as the click click was irritating.

Some over the phone quotes seemed very high to me but that maybe just London.

Any advice would be helpful.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Scally-Ho]

Photos?

 

[INOP]

The distance between the existing pull switch and intended location is about 3.5 feet.

 

[sparkwright]

Is the existing switch cable in a tube, running to the light?
I ask this because joining onto the old cable is not ideal, and it would be a better job if there was a continuous new cable from the light to the new switch position.

 

[pete01]

I don't really know the answer to this either surface mounted conduit which will look rubbish or.... fit coving and hide the wire that way....maybe

 

[INOP]

Thanks for replying.
No, I don't think the cable is in a conduit. At least 6 inches is flat against the concrete ceiling. I was unwilling to pull more away.
If I could solder and heat shrink a section of 3.5 feet cable to the existing then it would be ideal.
I just want to be sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[morqthana]

I would like to remove the pull switch and extend the wire roughly 3.5 feet to the wall (plasterboard) outside the bathroom door where I would use a single plasterboard back box and a normal rocker switch matching the rest of my light switches.

If you ran the cable to the wall, and straight down to a switch on the wall, how far would it be from the bath/shower?

 

[INOP]

5 feet from the intended switch position to the edge of the bath.

 

[robinbanks]

Just for clarity, as your original post didn't specifically mention it, is this pull switch to operate a light, or is it the isolator for an electric shower?

Also, where is the cable located? You said the switch is on a concrete ceiling; is the cable surface mounted?

What are the quotes you've had so far?
Moving a switch is not work that needs to be notified to the council, but electrical work of any nature should be carried out by a competent person. Are you competent and aware of all the things you need to do when moving a switch?

 

[sparkwright]

If you ran the cable to the wall, and straight down to a switch on the wall, how far would it be from the bath/shower?

The op has already said he/she wants to put the switch on the outside.

 

[sparkwright]

Just for clarity, as your original post didn't specifically mention it, is this pull switch to operate a light, or is it the isolator for an electric shower?

Also, where is the cable located? You said the switch is on a concrete ceiling; is the cable surface mounted?

What are the quotes you've had so far?
Moving a switch is not work that needs to be notified to the council, but electrical work of any nature should be carried out by a competent person. Are you competent and aware of all the things you need to do when moving a switch?

It's for the light.
The cable is buried in the plaster, and it's not in conduit.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Is there another flat above yours or is it the roof space?

 

[chivers67]

Maybe Quinetic could be the answer

Quinetic Wireless Switches

 

[INOP]

The current pull switch operates the main ceiling light in the bathroom.
When I removed the pull switch roughly 3 inches of cable came out of the plaster. I was surprised by this. I can only imagine part or all of the cable is buried in plaster. My guess is during the build the electrician placed the switch on the current hinged side of the door and rather than re drill concrete just buried it in plaster to the correct side of the door. The cable is not surface mounted.
There is another flat above mine.
£150 - £210 plaster vat quoted over the phone.
I don't want Quinetic. Just a matching rocker switch outside my bathroom.
Regards

 

[sparkwright]

It's unusual (but not uncommon) for the cable not to be in round conduit.
Have a look behind the bathroom light fitting, and see if there is a round box embedded in the ceiling, with conduits coming out of it.
I'm only suggesting this because of your theory that the pull switch may have one been planned to go on the hinged side of the door.