Pull switch problem

Boulto232 · 8 Jan 2020

Hello all,

After some advice. Downstairs cloakroom pull cord was on its way out so I decided to replace it like for like with a new one. It’s a 1-way circuit which powers both the light and ceiling fan.

Having changed the switch I turned the power back on and pulled the cord to test. The light (which is an LED fitting) comes on but very very faintly. The fan also fails to power on.

I have double checked all connections and even tried the old switch to check that I haven’t bought a dodgy switch but get the same result.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

sparkwright · 8 Jan 2020

Pictures if possible?

Were there just two wires at the switch, or loads of wires?

Boulto232 · 8 Jan 2020

Won’t be able to get a picture until the morning. Just two wires - red which went to the comm and black with red sleeve which I presume is switched that went to live 1. And earth to unit. Replaced like for like. The light now only comes on dimly and when I turn the switch off the light is very faintly illuminated still. Fan doesn’t work at all.

Could I have blown light unit some how and if so would this still stop the fan cutting in?

Sureitsoff? · 8 Jan 2020

could the connector screws be clamping the insulation rather than the conductor

Boulto232 · 9 Jan 2020

Thanks for the replies. I have checked and no insulation clamped. I have now tried a new LED light fitting and still does the same. It’s as though when power on everything in house works fine but bathroom light now has very low power.

photos of pull switch, light and fan isolator switch.

Boulto232 · 9 Jan 2020

Also, I know it shouldn’t make any difference but I have tried swapping live and switched between comm and L1 on the switch.

DetlefSchmitz · 9 Jan 2020

Try putting both wires in the same connection point at the switch. This way you find out if it is the switch or something else.

terryplumb · 9 Jan 2020

The isolation switch has no earth conductor in its earth terminal. It must be earthed.
Before changing the pull cord switch ,I assume light and fan worked normally .
Besides changing the pull cord switch ,did you touch wiring at light or fan ?
Can you pull down / gain extra slack on the cable to pull cord switch ,so you can cut off a few inches and re make the connections ? You may have a break in one of the copper conductors, within the insulation , possibly.

Boulto232 · 9 Jan 2020

Thank you both. So I have tried both connections in the same terminal on switch and no change. I also tried the old switch. So that rules out the switch itself.
I have also taken about 3 inches off the cable and again no change.
I’m at a loss and may have to call in a professional although reluctant as I’m sure it’s something really straightforward!

Boulto232 · 9 Jan 2020

And light and fan were not touched originally, just the switch.

terryplumb · 9 Jan 2020

Did you do any work on the same circuit , switches / light fittings in other rooms ?

Boulto232 · 9 Jan 2020

As it happens I did and didn’t think of that. I replaced a downstairs ceiling rose with a pendant fitting. Any idea where I could have gone wrong here?

terryplumb · 9 Jan 2020

Re check the cables / connections at the ceiling rose. As lighting circuits interconnect room to room your problem may be at the rose.

Boulto232 · 10 Jan 2020

Checked the other light fitting and as you suspected one of the N’s had come loose from the connector. All sorted now. Thanks for everyone’s help.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Pull switch problem

Boulto232

sparkwright

Boulto232

Sureitsoff?

Boulto232

Attachments

Boulto232

DetlefSchmitz

terryplumb

Boulto232

Boulto232

terryplumb

Boulto232

terryplumb

Boulto232

DIYnot Local

Similar threads