Outside light wanted

[lliam4343]

Hi, i currently have a switch in my kitchen, controlling my lights, it is a1gang 2way, as i have another switch in the room too. Is there any way to take a feed off the one nearest my door, for an outside light(preferably with a double switch)??? Have tried playing about with different switch combinations and i can get the outside light to come on when i switch the kitchen lights off (by wiring the outside light into the existing single switch) I may just be a fool for thinking i can do this??? Thanks in advance

 

[Steve]

You clearly have no idea what you are doing.

Does your lightswitch have a bunch of blue or black wires in a bit of terminal block behind the switch (not connected to the switchplate)?

Even beter, photos will help us!

 

[GaryMo]

Don't go any further. You don't have a neutral present.
I guess you've connected across the switch?

Call an electrician, it'll be much safer for you and your family.

 

[lliam4343]

Behind my switch i have a brown into the common and black and grey going to L1 and L2, just wondered if there was any way to change this to a double switch. Have a feeling i cant!

 

[Steve]

Don't go any further. You don't have a neutral present.
I guess you've connected across the switch?

The only way he can have got his light to work is by connecting live to the switch and neutral to earth

 

[Steve]

Behind my switch i have a brown into the common and black and grey going to L1 and L2, just wondered if there was any way to change this to a double switch. Have a feeling i cant!

You're right. Sorry.

You need a neutral. You dont have one. All 3 of those cores are lives.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting

 

[lliam4343]

I didnt connect anything to earth, just put 1 wire into L2 and one into L1, but think i may have worked as it is 2 way!?!?!?

 

[Steve]

I didnt connect anything to earth, just put 1 wire into L2 and one into L1, but think i may have worked as it is 2 way!?!?!?

I think there is a combination that would put the outside light in SERIES with the indoor light, but neither would have been very bright.

Ban, you're gonna wear that link out.

 

[GaryMo]

I didnt connect anything to earth, just put 1 wire into L2 and one into L1, but think i may have worked as it is 2 way!?!?!?

I think there is a combination that would put the outside light in SERIES with the indoor light, but neither would have been very bright.

That's what I was thinking, routing back through the kitchen lamp and to neutral but as you say, they wouldn't be very bright, nor correct!

 

[lliam4343]

how much do you think it would cost to get an electrician to put an outside light for me?, before i burn my new house down!

 

[GaryMo]

Can't see it, can't quote it. Sorry.

 

[Steve]

3 quotes, choose the middle one. It all depends on where the electrician gets a supply from, how far to chase it, whether an RCD is required.