help fitting two-way bathroom cord ceiling switch

[CatSkot1]

Hi,

Can anyone help with this at all, have the following two-way pull cord ceiling switch:

http://richardvickers.co.uk/switch/switch.jpg

and am trying not attach it to this

http://richardvickers.co.uk/ceiling/wires.jpg

have replaced like for like but to avail, have also checked the light bulb elsewhere and it is still working and is fine.

Any help very much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[sparkticus]

http://richardvickers.co.uk/switch/switch.jpg

and am trying not attach it to this

http://richardvickers.co.uk/ceiling/wires.jpg

have replaced like for like but to avail, have also checked the light bulb elsewhere and it is still working and is fine.

Any help very much appreciated.

Cheers

1) Is there another switch/pullcord on the circuit?
If yes can you take a picture of its wiring and post it?

2) Did you join all the blacks with the choc-block or is that original?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

and am trying not attach it to this

 

[CatSkot1]

apologies… AM trying to attach it to this…

the blacks were already connected to the choc-bloc, I think the reason it is 2-way is because its also connected to a fan


http://www.richardvickers.co.uk/fan/fan.jpg

 

[sparkticus]

Ok, you need to find out which RED is permanent live.

Then

1) Connect permanent live RED to common on switch.
2) Connect BROWN of 3 core &E to common on switch.
3) Connect GREY of 3 core &E to L2
4) Connect RED (RED that goes to light position) to L2

You do not need L1.

This assumes you have a fan with integral timer and it is wired in a conventional manner.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I think the reason it is 2-way is because its also connected to a fan

That doesn't make it, or need it to be, a 2-way switch, unless what it does is to make either the light or the fan come on, but never both at once and never both off.

Why didn't you adopt the mind-bogglingly simple approach of making a note of what wires went where in the old switch before you removed it?


Carrying out electrical work without understanding it is a very bad idea. Following instructions to "put this wire in that hole" without knowing why, and without knowing how it works, is to be strongly discouraged.

If you really do not know how something as simple as a 1-way switch works then you really should not be attempting to do this job. Yes - of course everybody has to start somewhere, but you should start by acquiring a solid foundation of knowledge, not by diving into actually doing when you don't know how to do something so simple.

Please spend some time learning how electrical circuits work, what switches do, etc, before having a go.

• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=electrical+circuits+101
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/electricity.html
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/domesticinstallations.html
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:books
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics[/list]

 

[sparkticus]

That doesn't make it, or need it to be, a 2-way switch, unless what it does is to make either the light or the fan come on, but never both at once and never both off.

Yea, I am assuming that the 2-way switch was just arbitrary in this case.

Why didn't you adopt the mind-bogglingly simple approach of making a note of what wires went where in the old switch before you removed it?

A habit which DIYers and experienced electricians should adopt.

you should start by acquiring a solid foundation of knowledge, not by diving into actually doing when you don't know how to do something so simple.

Otherwise you could (worst case) kill yourself or someone else.
It happens!

 

[CatSkot1]

Thanks very much for the advice (did replace like for like)

 

[sparkticus]

Thanks very much for the advice (did replace like for like)

OK, is the problem solved now?

 

[securespark]

CS1

With all due respect, if you had connected it like for like, then (assuming it worked before) it would be working now.

Is the black in the Harmonised cable connected to the other blacks?

If so, this is not best practice.

You need to check if these blacks are neutrals.

My guess is that the T&E with the bent back red conductor is the live feed coming in to the switch.