Getting a neutral to a switch.....

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HI, i've had a good look through the lighting and switch diagrams in wiki etc and forum but I would just like to check something with you guys in the know.
I am adding an external light (bulkhead) just outside kitchen door.
At the side of the door is currently a 2 gang switch, one switch for pantry, one for kitchen.
I have now changed this for a 3 gang so the third switch can be used for the bulkhead outside, but no neutral at the switch so once I get one there :whistle:would I simply put it on L1 of the bulkhead switch together with the neutral cable from the bulkhead ?
The other switches are as they were- 2 COM, 2 L1 and I have taken a link cable from one of the COM to the new switch and put the live cable from the bulkhead on the same contact.
Sorry if that sounds a bit confusing, I'll upload a diagram if necessary.
Thanks Jon
 
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No actual need for neutral wires at the switch.

You could have just a live from the switch to the outside light, and a neutral (from somewhere on that lighting circuit) to the outside light.

However, it may suit your needs to connect your outside light neutral at the switch.

One you have run a new neutral to the switch, you simply connect the two neutrals in a 5 amp connector block.

The neutrals must not be connected directly to the light switch.

Your 3 gang switch will almost certainly be single pole, which means only live wires may be connected through it, not neutrals.

Diagram will be interesting.
 
Thanks Sparkwright, that's really helpful. I will just do which ever is easiest- either neutral to light or to switch (well not connected to switch, but as you said to the light neutral with 5amp block)(y)
 
3 gang switch.jpg
3 gang switch.jpg
 
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Your wire that goes to the bulkhead should connect to L1 on the switch, not to the COM. Leave the new link wire where it is though.

I trust you also have an earth going to the bulkhead?

Now you need to find a way to get a neutral (plus an earth) to the bulkhead!

As Sparkwright says, the neutral does not, and must not connect to the switch at all, otherwise you will get a bang, and will need to buy a new switch!
 
PROVIDED THE KICTHEN AND PANTRY LIGHTS ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT (that bit is very important)

It looks like both the kitchen and pantry lights are three-plated at the fitting, with a twin and earth from each one to the switch, so you've effectively got two switch feeds at the switch, you could link the commons and end up with a spare conductor up to one of the fittings... you'd want to then swop it with the switch wire though... otherwise you'd be oversleeving both in opposite colours.....

Not totally ideal from am EMC perspective.... but certainly no worse than wiring in 6241Y anyway.
 
Great thanks, yes it is 2 twin and earth (4 red cables + 2 earth, so no issue with the colours). To clarify...this spare would become the neutral?
 
Great thanks, yes it is 2 twin and earth (4 red cables + 2 earth, so no issue with the colours). To clarify...this spare would become the neutral?
There is a colour issue if you use one of the reds as neutral, you'll need to sleeve that one blue to show what it is for!
 
Adam, did what you suggested, worked a treat!
Thanks for that and thanks to everyone else for their input, much appreciated!
 

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