I'm considering extending my Home Automation system so that it can control an existing coach light next to my front door, automatically turning it on & off by time of day or other events that happen within the house that it's aware of. My challenge is that the ZWave module that I want to install is not rated for outside use & therefore needs to be wired in somewhere inside. Normally I'd put it into the pattress box behind the lightswitch but I need a neutral wire for this to work & there are only 2 switched lives present (double lightswitch - one 2way for downstairs hall, the other for the outside light), consequently I need to find where the light is taking it's neutral from & potentially tap in there.
When the house was built about 15 years ago the outside light was a standard install by the builder so it's wired into the downstairs lights. Before I go cutting bits out of walls to find the wires I was wondering if there are any site electricians on here who would hazard a guess as to where they are likely to be given my plan below. Dotted area indicates that the upstairs overhangs this creating a semi enclosed porch.
I'm guessing that Bellway would not have put the cable through the cavity so I'm thinking that I could look in the room directly behind the coach light but am worried that I'll only find a switched live and neutral there (after making a mess of the internal wall) which will quickly disappear up above the ceiling. Is there likely to be a junction box somewhere above the ceiling next to the hall light or possibly above the front door or would this probably just be wired in a similar way to the other lights downstairs?
I appreciate that this is likely going to be guesswork but any help is appreciated
Regards
Steve
When the house was built about 15 years ago the outside light was a standard install by the builder so it's wired into the downstairs lights. Before I go cutting bits out of walls to find the wires I was wondering if there are any site electricians on here who would hazard a guess as to where they are likely to be given my plan below. Dotted area indicates that the upstairs overhangs this creating a semi enclosed porch.
I'm guessing that Bellway would not have put the cable through the cavity so I'm thinking that I could look in the room directly behind the coach light but am worried that I'll only find a switched live and neutral there (after making a mess of the internal wall) which will quickly disappear up above the ceiling. Is there likely to be a junction box somewhere above the ceiling next to the hall light or possibly above the front door or would this probably just be wired in a similar way to the other lights downstairs?
I appreciate that this is likely going to be guesswork but any help is appreciated
Regards
Steve
