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The decorator says a light switch 'fell off' now the light won't work??

Jon_01
Jon_01 Posts: 5,907 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
Ok, having a bedroom wallpapered.
The decorator says when he unscrewed a light switch to tuck the paper behind it, it 'fell off' the wall. I wasn't around, so I have no idea what really happened here.

I've refitted the switch (with the power off) and the light doesn't come on.
I've bought a new switch and fitted it, light still won't come on.
I've swapped the bulb with one that I know works, light won't come on.

Confused at this point, I connected the two wires in the switch (with the power off) and still the light won't come on!!

Nothing has tripped in the fusebox.
The rest of the lights on the upstairs lighting ring all work.

What have I missed?

Thanks...
«13

Comments

  • jk0
    jk0 Posts: 3,479 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I wonder if one of the little wires has snapped inside the insulation due to being moved back & forth when decorating?
  • izzy65
    izzy65 Posts: 2,862 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary
    How old is the wiring?
    The person who never makes a mistake never learns anything.
  • Belenus
    Belenus Posts: 2,724 Forumite
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    Have you checked to see if there is power on one of the two wires?

    Did the decorator also paint the ceiling? Perhaps he also disturbed the connections in the light fitting and maybe that is where the problem lies.

    Be very careful with electricity and don't do anything that you are not 100% sure about.
    A man walked into a car showroom.
    He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    The man replied, “You have now mate".
  • Jon_01
    Jon_01 Posts: 5,907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    izzy65 wrote: »
    How old is the wiring?

    The place was built in the mid 90's. Nothing's been changed since.
  • Aylesbury_Duck
    Aylesbury_Duck Posts: 15,258 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Get someone out to have a look at it. Don't be tempted to do more fiddling, you've done all the obvious DIY stuff. Certainly don't start connecting wires to experiment!
  • Jon_01
    Jon_01 Posts: 5,907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Belenus wrote: »
    Have you checked to see if there is power on one of the two wires?

    Did the decorator also paint the ceiling? Perhaps he also disturbed the connections in the light fitting and maybe that is where the problem lies.

    Be very careful with electricity and don't do anything that you are not 100% sure about.

    I don't have a meter to check the power, I wish I still did. . .

    The light was on, they unscrewed the switch and it 'fell off' and the light went out. I know that they had the light on, I took them a cup of tea an hour before.

    I always switch off the whole of ring before I do anything (and check that it's really off)...
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,688 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Many light switches have three terminals. Are you using the right pair ?
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • Jon_01
    Jon_01 Posts: 5,907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    FreeBear wrote: »
    Many light switches have three terminals. Are you using the right pair ?

    There are only two wires coming out of the wall, red, black and an earth connected to the case.
  • TheCyclingProgrammer
    TheCyclingProgrammer Posts: 3,702 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Jon_01 wrote: »
    There are only two wires coming out of the wall, red, black and an earth connected to the case.

    He means have you wired them to the switch correctly.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,688 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 12 September 2019 at 7:15PM
    TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »
    He means have you wired them to the switch correctly.

    Yup.

    Red to C (might be labeled COM)
    Black to either L1 or L2

    If the wiring is more recent, then it will be Brown & Blue.
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
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