All this is conditional upon the use of suitable cable and fittings for the application, that the circuit protective measures are unaffected and suitable for protecting the new circuit and that all work complies with all other appropriate regulations. Pull the switch free and turn it over to access the wires. Take a picture of the wires (normally just 2), noting exactly which wire is in which terminal. Next, connect each wire in turn to the correct terminal according to the photo you took earlier. This should normally be Live brown/red to COM and neutral blue to L1. To do this, turn off the MCB of the lighting circuit you’re working on or if a fuse board, pull out the fuse.

One thing to note however is that the switches do differ slightly. Whereas the 6 amp switch is single pole, the 45 amp switch will be double pole as it needs to be able to isolate both the live and neutral. If you want to try and save your broken switch, rather than throw it away and replace it with a new one, work through the steps below for your chosen type of switch. Repairing a 6amp Pull Cord Light Switch Step 4 – Supporting the switch with one hand, try to operate the pull cord with the other hand to see if the maintenance spray has freed up the spring and therefore the switch should work properly again Step 2 – Undo the two retaining screws holding the switch in place and carefully pull it down a little. There should be sufficient wiring to allow you to do this as with the lighter duty switch aboveFor the first part of this guide we will work through replacing a standard 6 amp pull cord light switch. From step 6 we will explain changing a 45 amp isolation switch. Step 1 – Isolate the Switch and Circuit Pull cord switches are very handy items as they can be used in a variety of situations such as bathrooms and the similar where a standard tumble-type switch cannot be used. Step 3 – Using some maintenance spray such as WD40, apply the lubricant to the inside of the switch, where the wires are connected, especially in around the pull cord section

To save a little time and fatigue, loosen the terminal screws on the new switch also. Step 4 – Connect New Switch

What is a Pull Cord Switch?

Step 3 – Spray the switch area with the a little maintenance spray or WD40 and attempt to loosen the spring to make the switch work properly. Hold it with one hand and pull the cord with the other To fit a pull cord switch or indeed just replace the cord, you will need the following tools and products. Using a flat blade screwdriver, loosen each terminal for each wire and pull them free, ensuring terminals are loose enough to easily pull them out. The very first job to do before anything is to ensure the electricity is isolated for the circuit you will be working on. As stated, in the majority of cases they are used in areas subject to water and moisture as the fact that you have a pull cord to turn the light or appliance on and off you are no where near any electrical internals that could easily have water splashed onto them causing serious electrical injury.

Adding additional lighting, light fittings and switches, to an existing circuit – As long as not in a kitchen or bathroom If this is ignored then you may face problems when trying to sell your property as if its had notifiable electrical work carried out, but for which the appropriate certificate from a qualified electrician cannot be produced. Additionally, it will also propably invalidate your home insurance. These rules absolutely do apply to DIY activities, so anyone carrying out notifiable work (anything other than the points listed) will have to submit a building notice to the local authority before starting the job and pay a fee to have the work inspected and tested, or simply avoid all the hassle and get a Part P electrician to do it.

Tools and Materials Needed for Repairing and Replacing a Pull Cord Switch

Step 1 – Before doing anything, turn off the circuit you are working on in the consumer unit or fuse box by turning off the MCB or pulling out the fuse. Most of these types of switch include a neon indicator, which will glow red or orange. If you have switched off the supply correctly the indicator will not be lit. The neutral wire should also have a brown sheath or brown tape wrapped around it to indicate that it’s the switched live, but this will depend on the wiring setup. As long as you wire it up the same as the old switch, all will be well. In most cases, the 45 amp version will have an integrated light and/or on/off indicator that states when the appliance is live and also turned on. Step 1 – Firstly isolate the power to the circuit you are working on in your consumer unit by turning off the MCB for that circuit or if a fuse box, pulling out the fuse. If you are unsure which is which, turn off all the power using the main isolator switch If you just want to replace your broken pull cord switch then work through the steps below. However, if you want to have a go at repairing your existing switch then scroll down to the sections we have on repair.

Again, if this has does not work, the whole unit must be replaced. Replacing the Cord From a Pull Cord Switch Standard 6amp pull cord switch Tools and Materials Needed for Repairing and Replacing a Pull Cord Switch Form a knot and then lower the finial to cover it. Other types of finial are available, such as timber or porcelain/ceramic, from hardware or DIY stores.Any work other than this must be carried out by a professional electrician with the necessary knowledge to do the work to the regulation standards and also be able fully test it and then issue a minor works certificate once completed. In this DIY guide we look at how to install a pull cord switch. Regulations for Installing Pull Cord Switches If this does not work, then the switch must be replaced (see Replacing the switch section above). Repairing a 45 amp Pull Switch