What’s going on with this yoke?

[karlitob1983]

Hi all

My understairs strip lamp has a pull chord. It’s acting up - hard to describe. The chord isn’t taking. Sometimes it pulls down but doesn’t click as it normally does and the light comes on. It flickers a bit.

Could someone kindly advise how to progress please.
I’m sure it’s something to do with the bulb and the switch that the chord is on - maybe it was pulled too hard and fell off some tracker.

many thanks all.

 

[CBW]

Sounds like the plastic link is damaged.

 

[karlitob1983]

Sounds like the plastic link is damaged.

Thank you.

 

[winston1]

Touch of penetrating oil required on the switch. Power off MCB first.

 

[bernardgreen]

Touch of penetrating oil required on the switch. Power off MCB first.

Are you serious ?

Oil on warm contacts, inflammable vapour, arc when the switch disconnects and that is a recipe for a fire ( albeit a small one ).

 

[karlitob1983]

Are you serious ?

Oil on warm contacts, inflammable vapour, arc when the switch disconnects and that is a recipe for a fire ( albeit a small one ).

Thanks for that advice.

what’s typically the problem with chord?
Can it be fixed?
Is it better to get a new luminaire?
It’s a light put in under the stairs - something else might be more useful. Thanks for advice.

 

[bernardgreen]

Quite often the switch mechanism fails. Some can be replaced depending on the size and available space.

An example is https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp/spc21175/pull-chain-switch-spst-6a-125v/dp/2543085

 

[securespark]

The loc may well lend itself to a different lighting setup

Please post pix of the situation.

You may find it easier with a separate switch nearer the door or outside.

 

[karlitob1983]

The loc may well lend itself to a different lighting setup

Please post pix of the situation.

You may find it easier with a separate switch nearer the door or outside.

Thanks for that. Pic above. Would want it inside door I think.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/attachments/d2288e8d-06b0-4629-8df7-39375fefffe9-jpeg.262830/

 

[securespark]

Thanks for the pic.

Can I please see a shot showing the outside of the cupboard with the door open, so you can see the inside and outside of the cupboard at the same time?

It might be better to fit an unswitched light fitting with a separate pullcord switch like you might see in a bathroom.

Something like this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KBBAT2.html

Switched by something like this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BG801.html

You could also fit a plate switch on the outside of the cupboard.

 

[karlitob1983]

Thanks for the pic.

Can I please see a shot showing the outside of the cupboard with the door open, so you can see the inside and outside of the cupboard at the same time?

It might be better to fit an unswitched light fitting with a separate pullcord switch like you might see in a bathroom.

Something like this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KBBAT2.html

Switched by something like this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BG801.html

You could also fit a plate switch on the outside of the cupboard.

Thanks for that. See below

 

[Taylortwocities]

Four options
1. Get a new switch for the fitting.
2. Fit a new switch somewhere else
3. Buy a whole new fitting
4. Bypass the switch so the light is no longer switched, but rewire the feed so it comes on with the room lights.

Meerkat

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Dec 2009
• 53

Simples!

 

[securespark]

If the fitting cannot be fixed, I would be tempted to replace it with something a bit brighter.

But having looked at the cupboard, I would ask these questions:

Do I go in there often?

Is the existing light bright enough to see what I need to see when I do go in there?

Is the existing pull switch a pain to reach?

If the answers are no yes and no, I would replace the fitting with a similar one or repair if possible.

 

[333rocky333]

Also check the front diffuser is clipped on properly, them fittings tended to have a safety switch fitted preventing them working with the cover off, proberly not the issue but worth checking.

 

[karlitob1983]

If the fitting cannot be fixed, I would be tempted to replace it with something a bit brighter.

But having looked at the cupboard, I would ask these questions:

Do I go in there often?

Is the existing light bright enough to see what I need to see when I do go in there?

Is the existing pull switch a pain to reach?

If the answers are no yes and no, I would replace the fitting with a similar one or repair if possible.

Excellent advice. Gonna take those two options. Thank you.