Advice Please To Replace Bathroom Pull Light Switch

[Leslie]

Hi

I would appreciate some advice please regarding fitting a new bathroom pull cord light switch

The cord has snapped away from the current plastic pull light switch which is the older type where the 

cover screws into the base and the wire connection is also on the base. I have bought a new plastic pull

switch which is slightly different and has the two screws and wire connection on the cover. 

It seems quite straight forward, there are two red wires and i presume one will go into com

and the other into L1, but there does not appear to be an earth wire present. I have taken 

some pics to show, but not sure how to upload them into this message.

Basically it seems like refitting as it is currently set up, but i expected to see an earth wire

as well as the two red wires, is this set up safe?

many thanks, Leslie

 

[NozSpark]

Sounds correct,,,, but make sure you turn off the circuit before you start.... also no earth wire rings alarm bells,,, it sounds like you have an old installation... It could do with checking out to make sure that it a still safe to use

 

[Andy™]

is there really no earth, or has it been cut back?

if there is no earth, then it might be a good idea to get the wiring tested. it may be well past its us by date. or if it hasnt been done within the last 5-10 years anyway

 

[Blue Duck]

2 reds? Is it ex local authority? The earth may be above the base of the switch in a conduit box or the conduit may be the earth ?

 

[Leslie]

Hi

Thanks for your replies

All i can see are two red wires, there is a terminal for an earth on the base, but no earth wire present

maybe it could be hidden above the base as suggested. It is a private semi detached house built

approx 60 years, is it possible for me to upload pics into this thread? 

thanks, Leslie

Hi

It is a private semi detached house built approx 60 yrs ago, 

Is it possible for me to upload some pics into this thread, all i can see

are two red wires, there is a terminal for earth on the base, but no earth wire present, maybe

as suggested, it could be above the base

thanks for replies,Leslie

Hi

Thanks for replies

Its a private semi detached house, approx 60 yrs old

All i can see are two red connected wires on the base, it also has a spare terminal, but no earth wire,

maybe it is above base as suggested, is it possible for me to upload some pics of the switch?

thanks,Leslie

Oops, sorry for the three messages

 

[ProDave]

When you unscrew the base of the old switch, is it two wood screws holding it in place, or two threaded machine screws?

 

[Leslie]

Hi

Sorry for the late reply, i got the reasoning behind your question, conductivity

which was very helpful. 

I bought a power tester to be on the safe side, tested live to make sure it

was effective, isolated the electricity, tested again and then

unscrewed the switch base which had two tapered wood screws that just connected 

to ceiling wood/boards, no earth present, just two wires, one red and actually

the other one was black so i fitted the new plastic switch exactly the same way and

all is working fine now. 

I am still surprised that they was no earth, but can only assume the reason 

maybe that it is pull cord, plastic switch and screws into non metal 

Just wanted to thank you all for your kind advice, Leslie