Extra Light Switch.

[Paul35]

I would like an extra light switch in my upstairs bedrooms and need some advise in where to lay down the wires.

I want to do the leg work myself, chase out the walls, plaster them back up and then pay someone to connect! .....but where do I lay the wires to?

If I have a 1G 2 way light switch and wire it up, where would I lay the wire to? Would I lay the wire to the lamp holder or to the existing pull cord switch?

Thank you.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Wire between switches, using three core and earth 1.0mm2 should be fine.

 

[Paul35]

do I need 2 set of wires or just 1?

Was going to use 1 wire in the switch to run in to the pull cord switch..... but do I need to run another wire back to the switch, making it 2 sets of wires?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

At your existing switch you should have a common/permanent live and switch live and hopefully an earth. This existing switch must have a two way function for you to add a second switch to it.

Then between that switch you need a three core and earth cable.

I assume you have old wiring colours red & black.
A picture or diagram of the inside of the existing switch would help.

Also routing new cables, needs to be in the permitted safe zones and newly buried cable within walls/partitions that is not at least 50mm within wall (both sides of wall) and not mechanically protected, must then be protected by a residual current device (RCD).

safezone 1

• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 1 Jul 2012
• 3

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Was going to use 1 wire in the switch to run in to the pull cord switch..... but do I need to run another wire back to the switch, making it 2 sets of wires?

What you really need is to do some basic learning on how lighting circuits are wired.

• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=electrical+circuits+(basics+OR+101)
  
  
• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+house+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index
  
  

 

[Paul35]

Need some more advise please?

I have just brought a Crabtree 1G 2Way Switch.

The instructions shows how to wire up but I think I've brought the wrong wire!

The instructions shows using 1.0mm 3-Core and Earth cable.

The wire that I have brought is 1.5mm Twin and Earth Heavy Duty Lighting circuit cable.

I'm not sure if I should buy some 1.0mm 3 core and earth cable or use my 1.5mm Twin and Earth cable?

 

[stillp]

Use the 1.5mm. Thicker is never a problem.

 

[mikeyd]

You can't use twin & earth (unless you double it up) as you need 3 cores. Your existing switch also needs to be 2 way. You run a 3 core + earth between the two switches.



The diagram at the top shows old colours and doesn't show the earth.

[edit] fixed image tags

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The instructions shows using 1.0mm 3-Core and Earth cable.

The wire that I have brought is 1.5mm Twin and Earth Heavy Duty Lighting circuit cable.

I'm not sure if I should buy some 1.0mm 3 core and earth cable or use my 1.5mm Twin and Earth cable?

Wire between switches, using three core and earth 1.0mm2 should be fine.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Use the 1.5mm. Thicker is never a problem.

It will be, as the cable bought is two core and earth, the op needs three core and earth.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

editted, duplicated Mickeyd diagram.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

or this in new colours, remember the earths require connecting between both switches and light, even though not on diagram. Also as you are using a pull cord swicth, this requires the ability to operate a two way function.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-way-10ax-ceiling-pull-cord-switch/70874

 

[stillp]

Use the 1.5mm. Thicker is never a problem.

It will be, as the cable bought is two core and earth, the op needs three core and earth.

 

[mikeyd]

In return to PBoD for trying to help me out:

[edit] that didn't work for long either.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

In return to PBoD for trying to help me out:

No probs mikeyd, you just beat me to it!