Pull cord - red and black wires...

[ElectricShock]

Ok.... I've never done anything with electrics before but have managed to unscrew a broken pullcord and have bought a new.

I have a red wire and a black wire.
I can't remember if Red goes in Com? Or black goes in L1??

Sorry for being a bit dumb, but it seems like such a small job to call someone out for.
Any help?
I've looked at some of the other topics, but just need someone to spell it out very clearly...and s-l-o-w-l-y!

 

[JohnD]

It is a light switch? And you just have a single cable which contains one red and one black wire (plus an earth)?

In that case, the red is (should be) the permanent live and the black is (should be) the switched live.
It will work either way but best to put the red in COM and the black in L1.

Note that the black is actually live when switched on so ought to have a red sleeve or tape round it as a warning.

p.s. when dismantling old fittings, especially on lighting circuits it is important to draw a diagram and mark all the wires on the old one so that you refit then the same way on the new one.

 

[Big_Spark]

In theory the Red should go into the common as this will be a permanent live (whilst the fuse/MCB allows energy to flow on the circuit anyway!!) and the black (which should have a red sleeve on it) goes into the L1 terminal.

However, it is largely irrelevent which goes were as the switch simply connects the line to the light or it does not..depending on switch position.

MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF WHEN DOING THIS.

 

[JohnD]

tee hee

 

[ElectricShock]

Thanks guys for the advice.. will try tomorrow and see what happens!