Replacing a bathroon light pull switch

[martnal]

I've just bought a replacement from Homebase. It has terminals marked 'LIVE' and 'SWITCHED LIVE'. The exisiting cable to the light switch has Live, EARTH and Neutral cores.

Can I use this new switch? Could someone explain which core goes to which terminal. I've just had a very bad series of experiences with Home base and their supplier...

'Hold on sir, would you like to be transferred internally or externally?"
"Oh, you've come through to accounts."
Seven minutes of Muzak later, I gave up.

Thanks in advance,

Martin

 

[slippyr4]

It doesn't matter which way round they go. one of the wires (probably the black one) is a switched live, not a neutral.

Are you certain the new switch is suitable for the bathroom zone it's in?

 

[martnal]

Thank you for your reply. It's so long since I put the original switch in, that I think I have confused myself. I have since spoken to Homebase's supplier and they made me realise that there are probably only live and sw. live going to the exisiting switch, so I think I won't have a problem.

I was not aware of bathroom zones until I looked for an exsiting answer to my problem before posting. The new switch doesn't say anything about Zone suitability. Ours is a small bathroom with bath, loo and basin. The switch is above and six inches to the left of the basin, just inside the door. What are bathroom zones? I rewired most of the house 8-10 years ago. Are zones new since then?

If I can reciprocate with any PC help (software mostly), do ask.

Thanks again.

martin

 

[Spark123]

If the switch is built to BS3676 and (excluding the insulating pullcord) is in zone 3 or outside the zones it is ok, providing you don't use a water jet for cleaning.
See page 8 onwards for zones:
http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/NL139supp.pdf

 

[martnal]

I'm pretty sure that there is .6m from the edge of the bath. Thanks for the link, very useful. Anyway, I can't contort myself to turn it on or off from within the bath.

It's marked as BS EN 60699-1 Kite marked.

Martin

 

[slippyr4]

it is a pull-cord isn't it? wall mounted switches must be outside the zones, or preferably outside the room altogether.

 

[dingbat]

it is a pull-cord isn't it? wall mounted switches must be outside the zones, or preferably outside the room altogether.

You can mount a wall switch in zone 3.

 

[martnal]

Oh, yes, definitely a cord!!

I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

martin

 

[ban-all-sheds]

it is a pull-cord isn't it? wall mounted switches must be outside the zones, or preferably outside the room altogether.

All switches must be in Zone 3 or outside the zones, not just wall switches.

That's why pull-cords are so widespread, as you can have a switch on the ceiling in the Zone 3 above Zone 2, which gives you a lot more flexibility in traditional pokey English bathrooms....

 

[slippyr4]

All switches must be in Zone 3 or outside the zones, not just wall switches.

That's why pull-cords are so widespread, as you can have a switch on the ceiling in the Zone 3 above Zone 2, which gives you a lot more flexibility in traditional pokey English bathrooms....

Good point, I didn't think it through properly. Incidentally, is it really all switches, or would an IP-rated switch be allowed in zone < 3 ?

 

[Spark123]

Good point, I didn't think it through properly. Incidentally, is it really all switches, or would an IP-rated switch be allowed in zone < 3 ?

Generally speaking, the iee regs only allow IP rated selv switches (subject to 601-06-01 & 601-08-01) in zone 1 & 2.
Other than this, it is up to the manufacturer of the switch to say if it can be installed in zone 0, 1 or 2.