Fitting a Pull Switch in the Bedroom

[Bofund]

Hi... This is my first post so please bear with me.... And thanks for taking the trouble to help

I want to put a new pull switch in our bedroom over the bed so that we don't have to keep getting out of bed to switch the light off.

Now I think I'm fairly ok with the electrical side of things but I'll explain what I'm doing anyway just so I know its the right way, but I would also like to know how I should physically install the new wiring to the proper standard.

I have the feed (black and red cable) coming in on the other side of the room from the existing switch by the door. Im going to fit a pull swich so that its just like a regular two way switching set up - And this is how I think it should be done.....

Live (red) being connected to the Common on the first switch with L1 and L2 being connected to L1 and L2 on the second switch and the Common running back to the light fitting which then runs back to the neutral (black).

The only problem is that it appears as if I need to strip individual wires from the grey sheath in order to do this (which i'm sure is not how its supposed to be done but is still probably much more prefereable to my current set up!)....Any ideas on how i should proceed?

Many thanks[/img]

 

[wingcoax]

To start with the black is NOT neutral. this is a switch live which should have a red/brown sleeve on. If you do not know this you should consult a local sparks, this is not a big job But remember ELECRICITY KILLS.

 

[bongos]

Live (red) being connected to the Common on the first switch with L1 and L2 being connected to L1 and L2 on the second switch and the Common running back to the light fitting which then runs back to the neutral (black).

You will require 3 core & earth between the existing switch and your new switch.

The original switch will require the original red in L1 and the black sleeved red in L2. The new three core cable should be connected to this switch with the brown in L1, black (sleeved brown) in "C" and grey (sleeved brown) in L2.

Your new pull switch will then be connected to the 3c+e with brown in L1, black (sleeved brown) in "C" and grey (sleeved brown) in L2.

All earths must be sleeved with green/yellow and terminated appropriately.

It is important that you understand two way switching before starting this project. The "black" you refer to at the existing switch is not a neutral. It is a switched live returning from the switch.

Have a look here for more info.

The only problem is that it appears as if I need to strip individual wires from the grey sheath in order to do this (which i'm sure is not how its supposed to be done but is still probably much more prefereable to my current set up!)....Any ideas on how i should proceed?

I'm a bit confused what you mean by this. The 3c+e must run in the grey pvc sheathing throughout - except where you will need to strip a short amount back to terminate in the switch. It should run in the sheath or it will not meet the double insulating standards required by BS7671.

 

[Bofund]

Hi... Yes... I understand switched live. Sorry for the wrong terminology there. I was looking at using twin core and earth to do this initially which is why I thought there would be a problem running the cable... But you've explained what I need to do so thankyou.

 

[bongos]

Hi... Yes... I understand switched live. Sorry for the wrong terminology there. I was looking at using twin core and earth to do this initially which is why I thought there would be a problem running the cable... But you've explained what I need to do so thankyou.

No problem. Alot of people encountering lighting circuits mix up the switched live and the neutral, assuming that black always means neutral, which it doesn't. In my parents all the live feeds to the switches are in black with red sleeving so it can depend on which way the original spark chose to do things - I just wanted to save you any problems later!

 

[Bofund]

yes thankyou... its been a while since i did any electrical work... there's no sleeving on any of the cables and i even have some blue, red and yellow wiring too... not too mention an upstairs switch packed full of wires that doesn't turn anything on or off!

anyway... thanks again