Ceiling rose confusion

[Longshanks]

Hi

Being thick again. I ve just bought a bog standard celing switch (Homebase) to replace the one in our bathroom. Thing is I can't find a way to feed the main cable through to connect the wires!! It seems to have a solid back with no obvious hole or cut out to feed the cable thru (there is a small opening near the edge but it can't possibly feed through there-can it?

Going to take it back but don't want to be humilated if it's obvious!!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your time.

 

[Richard C]

The will be at least one plastic knock out in the base somewhere, usually offset from the screw fixing holes; it’s thinner plastic than the rest & usually bordered by a raised plastic line; just poke it through with a screw driver.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks

Will do as advised. It couldn't possibly be the cut out right near the edge could it?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Many thanks

Will do as advised. It couldn't possibly be the cut out right near the edge could it?

I doubt it. They are supposed to be in the ceiling with the cables coming from above.


Do let us know the solution (in the unlikely event that someone else buys a pull switch from Homebase)..

 

[Longshanks]

Hi again

This is doing my head in as they say. In my album are four views of the aforesaid ceiling rose. I can assure you that there is no obvious weak area to push out with a screwdriver as the whole thing is solid plastic. The only possibility is the space near the edge bu that seems insane for two reasons. 1. Cables coming thru at an odd position. 2. Screw positions way way out.

Tried to give three dimensional view to help.

I think I'm going mad.

Any advice much appreciated. I must be missing something.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Well, 'that slot' on the side is the only place for the cable so you will either:

have to alter the screw positions or

dig out a small channel from the present cable outlet in the ceiling so that the cable can come through this 'slot'.

 

[Monkeh]

A picture speaks a thousand words.

 

[Longshanks]

Hi

Quite happy to do either. But either way it's going to be tricky getting the wires into the two common connectors and the earth the way that the're positioned.

Is this the most poorly designed product ever produced? Please don't tell me they're all designed this way now.

 

[RF Lighting]

Take it back and buy an MK pull switch

 

[Longshanks]

Just can't believe my bad luck. What on earth were they thinking of designing something like this?

 

[Richard C]

It’s not the best looking or designed unit in the world but cable entry is via that freaking great slot at 4 o’clock in picture 3 & 3 o’clock in picture 4.

Cable access slots are not often not centrally located with pull cord switches; it’s just that your current screw positions don’t suit. Your not restrained to the original location, just knock a bigger hole in the plasterboard, it won’t matter as long as you don’t expose the cable hole beyond the switch periphery. If the cable passes through a timber batten, withdraw it, drill a new offset hole & pass the cable through that. Only other alternatives are to move the screw positions & fill one or both the redundant holes it will leave or change the switch for one more sympathetic to your screw/cable entry configuration. It happens all the time on re-fixes it’s honestly no big deal.
MK arn't what they were these days either

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks for your helpful response.

Still annoyed though.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[flameport]

Take that switch back for a refund.

Get this one instead:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/d190/sd2633/p44781