Wiring a ceiling fan

keystone

ValHaller wrote: »

While there is nothing DIRECTLY dangerous,

This is exactly correct. There is nothing directly dangerous about this as it is but there potentially is once it has been forgotten what the different cores have actually been asked to do or someone new comes in.

this renders the whole installation potentially unsafe because wiring colour codes and conventions cannot be relied upon.

However you should never 100% rely on the MkI eyeball anyway. Test, test and test again!

Rectifying it will inevitably require the replacement of the lighting circuit with TC&E. I'll hazard a guess that OP has other lighting wired this way if he pops off another couple of face plates.

Cheers

Myser

Nothing dangerous with using the yellow core as earth. What would be a concern is if you did have two-way switching and the yellow core was made live somewhere else. However, if there is no second switch as you say or it has been removed, this shouldn't be a problem. Can you borrow an electrical tester/multimeter?

Are there any other clues that the yellow wire has indeed been used for earth? For example, as mentioned by AndyPK to check a metal light fitting.

If all the wiring was done by the same person, check another switch (with a metal back box) or a metal light fitting.

The wiring method in post 4 will allow you to have the light controlled by the wall switch and the fan independently controlled by the pull-cord regardless of whether the light switch is on or off.