I had my shower on today and the red light on the on/off pull cord started flashing, then sparks came flying out of the switch any idea's what has happened? I recently got the roof plastered and there is a gap where the pull cord (on/off switch) is because I had wodden beems on my roof but got them removed so the switch is hanging lose, would a lose wire cause it to have sparks fying out of the hole?

Soozie, December 2009

In a word, yes.
Pullcords aren't designed to hang loose, they're meant to be fixed to the ceiling, otherwise the wires could come loose when you pull the chord. I reckon that's what has happened.

Your shower is probably on it's own circuit breaker. Switch that off (asap) and get the switch fixed to the ceiling, or preferably to a joist above it. When it is securely in place the wires can be re-terminated.

Adam, December 2009