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 In this DIY guide we look at how to install a pull cord switch. Regulations for Installing Pull Cord Switches 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. 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.

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. 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.Adding additional lighting, light fittings and switches, to an existing circuit – As long as not in a kitchen or bathroom

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. 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 To do this, turn off the MCB of the lighting circuit you’re working on or if a fuse board, pull out the fuse. 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. 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 SwitchAgain, if this has does not work, the whole unit must be replaced. Replacing the Cord From a Pull Cord Switch The very first job to do before anything is to ensure the electricity is isolated for the circuit you will be working on.