Bathroom light switch

bouicca21

I had a minor leak from the flat upstairs which dribbled through my bathroom light switch.  It’s a pull cord type that controls the light and the fan.

Now it doesn’t work.  The problem is the pull cord rocker switch.  I am wondering if this kind of light switch is generic because if it is I could just replace the bottom half of the fitting without getting involved in messing about with the electrics. 

Photos show the general gubbins, then what I think is the broken bit of the rocker switch and the way I think it should be.

There is no indication of a manufacturer’s name, but I’m wondering if this is what screwfix sell as a “British general 6a 1-way pull cord switch”.  Are the photos enough for someone to be able to tell if it is the same thing and whether I can get away with just changing the bottom bit?

The_Fat_Controller

If it has had water in it, get an electrician to replace the whole unit.

Bendy_House

You may need to unscrew the remaining 'base' part of the fitting to find the manufacturer's make.

You've already done a lot of dismantling - so you ain't a complete novice DIYer - so for the sake of two more wood screws and two screw terminals, you really should be looking at replacing the whole caboodle.

I presume - since you were alive enough to make this post - you did turn off the lighting power circuit, and also tested it for being 'dead'? 

bouicca21

I am pretty useless at diy but I do know enough to turn the circuit off! 

I have a set of screwdriver thingummies  - it was a parting gift from my ex. I know righty tighty, lefty loosey, so I can unscrew the fitting. I was hoping not to have to learn how to do anything with the wires.  But I suppose I can have a go.

Bendy_House

bouicca21 said:

I am pretty useless at diy but I do know enough to turn the circuit off! 

I have a set of screwdriver thingummies  - it was a parting gift from my ex. I know righty tighty, lefty loosey, so I can unscrew the fitting. I was hoping not to have to learn how to do anything with the wires.  But I suppose I can have a go.

If you unscrew the base part of the pull switch, you'll hopefully find a make on there. If you then manage to find the exact same switch, then you can - if you like - just swap the mechanical parts. The 'electrical' bits should be ok as they'll be brass or similar.

But I wouldn't. I'd - gasp - go the whole hog.

Yes, it's 'leccy', but the principle is the same; the leftie-loosey bit. To be frank, you cannot go wrong; the worst that could happen - but won't - is that it doesn't work, or fizzles, or flickers, or summat. It won't kill you, and that's quite important.

It's not compulsory, but most folk should know what it takes to fit a wire in to a terminal designed for a wire. Lawdie, I recall this actually being a physics lesson in my secondary school - we had to wire a plug! Sigh... Halcyon days.

Cough. Anyhoo, we'll guide you, and you can do this. If you want to.

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: If you unscrew the base part of the pull switch, you'll hopefully find a make on there. If you then manage to find the exact same switch, then you can - if you like - just swap the mechanical parts. The 'electrical' bits should be ok as they'll be brass or similar.

But I wouldn't. I'd - gasp - go the whole hog.

Yes, it's 'leccy', but the principle is the same; the leftie-loosey bit. To be frank, you cannot go wrong; the worst that could happen - but won't - is that it doesn't work, or fizzles, or flickers, or summat. It won't kill you, and that's quite important.

If the mechanics of the switch still works (i.e. it clicks when the cord is pulled), then it is more likely the contacts are burnt out.

If the OP is not confident with electrics, then I would strongly recommend getting a competent person (multi-skilled handyman or an electrician) to replace the switch. It is unlikely one would find an exact replacement switch where the internal mechanical bits could be swapped out - That smacks of bodgery and should be discouraged.

Ebe_Scrooge

I have to agree with above.  Replacing a switch really is easy-peasy.  To re-iterate, do make sure you've killed the power to the relevant circuit before you touch anything.  And don't just flick the circuit-breaker that's labelled "upstairs lights" or whatever - switch off the breaker, but then check that the light switch in question really is dead.

Apart from that, it's a doddle.  And you'll probably find it easier to buy a whole new switch than it is to try and find just the pull-cord half on its own.

bouicca21

Thank you all.  It’s the actual mechanics of the rocker switch that doesn’t work. I managed to get it all together and switched the circuit back on and it all worked - until I pulled on the cord and it gave up.

But back in the days when plugs weren’t integral to the wire, I did change a plug or two.  Certainly not in physics which was more theory than practice and intensely and tediously  boring.

I will have a go.  

Ebe_Scrooge

bouicca21 said:

But back in the days when plugs weren’t integral to the wire, I did change a plug or two.
I will have a go.  

Good for you :-)  A single switch such as this is just the same as wiring a plug.  It gets a little more complex (though still easy enough) if you've got something like a 2-way or intermediate switch - but a straightforward single pull-cord is no different to a plug in essence.

Bendy_House

Without even undoing the wires, remove the two screws holding the base plate to the ceiling, and gently pull it down - hopefully there will be enough slack in the cable to allow you to see the make on its bottom. 

Then we'll help you to track down the exact same switch - you'll see exactly how to swap the wires. 

But, all these pull switches should have their mounting holes in the same place - it's pretty standard - and the way the wires fit should also be quite similar, so it should be doable regardless.

Any uncertainty, please just come back. Add a photo of needed.

daz061

get a new pull switch, should only be 2 wires to go in 2 terminals, you cant go wrong. Make sure you turn the breaker off on the circuit first like or the whole electric if your not confident.