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You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Fitting a pull cord switch

Fitting a pull cord switch

LAST UPDATED: 3rd January 2023 by The Editorial Team

Fitting a pull cord switch

Summary: Step by step guide and video showing how to install, fit or repair a pull cord switch or a bathroom pull cord switch.

Contents

  • Wiring a pull cord switch
    • Remove the switch plate
    • Replace the cord and reattach
    • Tools needed
  • How to replace a pull cord light switch video

    Inspect the inside of the face-plate closely to understand how the switch operates.

    Wiring a pull cord switch

    Remove the switch plate

    • Cut off the power supply to the relevant lighting circuit from the consumer unit.
    • Unscrew the switch’s face-plate from the ceiling mounting box.
    • Make a note of which cores connect to which terminals before releasing the cores from the terminals
    • Remove the screws holding the switch mechanism to the plastic face-plate. Keep a tight hold of both parts as you do this to prevent the spring sending small components flying in all directions as you release the screws.
    • Inspect the inside of the face-plate closely to understand how the switch operates. In the example shown, a small plastic spindle bearing the words ‘On’ and ‘Off’ turns 90°, which in turn either completes or breaks the circuit.
    • Remove the plastic spindle and detach the plastic peg that has the pull-cord attached to it, leaving the spring in place.

    Replace the cord and reattach

    • Tie a knot in one end of the replacement cord, threading the other end through the washer and peg.
    • Then feed the cord through the spring in the centre of the face-plate and replace the peg to secure it.
    • Replace the ‘On’ and ‘Off’ spindle into its housing.
    • Put the switch mechanism and the face-plate back together again.
    • Feed the cord emerging from the switch through the fitting that attaches it to the rest of the cord.
    • Reconnect the cable cores to the terminals in the switch, insulating any bare earth cores in green-and-yellow sheath.
    • Screw the face-plate back onto the ceiling mounting box.

    Tools needed

    • Insulated screwdriver

    How to replace a pull cord light switch video


    Author

    The Editorial Team

    The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.

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