Domestic Electrics NON VW.

[maxstu]

Is there any way l can use this internal light switch wiring in lobby, by front door, to run an extended spur, chased into wall, for an exterior twin blue/brown cable working (tested) porch light found in a bag in loft?

I was thinking of using another switch incorporating a 5 amp fuse either at this point or inbetween original switch and external light? But can't see how this will work!

lf it is possible, a basic wiring diagram is appreciated, please.

If not, then will junk old external lamp and buy a new ( ) battery powered version.

Regards,
Stuart

Original switch with live/neutral. Can change to something more appropriate if necessary.



Can this fused switch by used in any way?

[tobydog]

Original switch with live/neutral. Can change to something more appropriate if necessary.

That looks like a switched live circuit. No neutral involved. That's why one wire has black tape around it possibly. Mind you, having 2 red wires suggests something needs investigating.... Is the black taped side switched?

Typical lighting circuit;
https://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/ ... g_rose.jpg


 

[davidoft1]

I don’t think you can , the switch is probably switched neutral , though the tape /wire colour is confusing

If it’s a switched neutral you will need to run a live to your new light , or neutral to your light if the switch is switched live

[tobydog]

Exactly, it's all a bit ambiguous. It needs checking and a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous....

I'd love to help, but....

[maxstu]

Okay and thanks.

From my online researching 1960's wiring normally consists of red live and black neutral. Yet, there are a few other light switches around our bungalow running red and red.

The porch wall is poorly accessible from loft to run a new live from lighting circuit, so may as well go battery operated with a new external porch light.

Many thanks.

[Jeff J]

Lighting circuits have a live going to a switch and a switch live leaving it. DEFINiTELY NOT live and neutral. It always used to be done with twin red and earth cable but nowadays always seems to be brown and blue twin and earth cable,  as opposed to twin brown and earth if that is available. Not sure what that piece of tape is supposed to signify. As has been said have it done professionally.

[Cecil]

As said Most likely the black tape is misleading . I expect one red is permanently live and the other red becomes live when the switch is on as per a regular light circuit. Twin red cable for light swictches,a better way of doing things that did not catch on ! Puzzling why the wiring appears to heading towards the floor rather than the loft. With that age of wiring expect that cable to go to a round Bakelite joint box from where a cable could be run to the light fitting (or you may find the original is still there)or one of those reds could be re purposed as a neutral. Your old switch could still be used . No need to switch the neutral on a lighting circuit , just join it through with a connector. Likely the lighting circuit has no earth wires in which case your light fitting needs to be one that requires no earthing.

[maxstu]

Okay and thanks to both.
Yes the two reds go into a round metal conduit heading towards floorboards. Then one red appears at the connector above lighting in lobby.
So comms reds continously stays live to switch. Then flicking switch connects live circuit to ceiling bulb.

Might take a floorboard up.
Thanks

[Cecil]

Metal Conduit wiring system unusual but explains all red wires at light switch . Conduit likely wired in single core cables with the switched live going from the switch to the light without a joint.

[BigBlueVan]

No not possible utilising just the switch.

The switch as pointed out already will receive a permanent Live 230V and then have a "switched Live" on the other side of the switch.
The main issue you face is the lack of a neutral conductor and earth conductor.

A simple task for a certified electrician to undertake by extending the existing lighting circuit from an existing ceiling rose which has all the necessary conductors (live, neutral and earth) to a new position for the external light, in theory should be covered via a minor works certificate as the circuit is being extended.

Another option if it could work for you it to put the external light on a round flexible cable and wire a plug to the end of the cable and just plug in to socket circuit, (twin and earth would not wire into a plug successfully due to its shape.)
the light is then not classed as fixed equipment, no different to plugging in a kettle. perfectly acceptable and can be removed easily,
the light would of course need integral PIR or photocell control for this approach to work.

For ease and peace of mind get an electrician in, just hope they don't try the usual house basher trick of trying to retrospectively apply the wiring regulations to parts of the installation they are not modifying!
Arrives to fit new light, leaves wanting to rewire the house house!!! Good Luck.

[maxstu]

Thanks for all the advice.
Decided to extend the lighting circuit from lobby ceiling light.
Fortune was on my side....
I cut out a small segment of coving in the corner of the lobby near front door. At this point l drilled a hole into loft space. Here l noticed an obsolete two core wire and recalled it was the the old door bell wiring. I used this to pull new lighting wiring into loft and towards lobby lighting circuit.
Next l chased out wall for wiring down to external lamp position and drilled from outside to inside lobby at a very slight upward angle and pushed cable through.
Connected both end and tested external lamp. All good......except Maxine doesn't like the lamp!! Dunelm tomorrow
Set wire in chasing and refilled. I had a spare bit of coving from a previous DIY. Cut that to size and set in place with good old decorators caulk. A few coats of emulsion will finish that off. Wallpapering starting tomorrow.
Many thanks
Stuart