I'm trying to replace my old pull cord switch in my bathroom as it was no longer functioning.

On trying to replace it, I have found two sets of grey cables coming through the ceiling. However as the old pull cord base was damaged on removal I was unable to see where the cables should go for the new pull cord connections.

Both grey cables have the usual red (live), black (neutral) and green/yellow (earth) within them. Within the base of the pull cord unit it has L1, L2 and Common.

Can anyone explain in simple terms where each wire is to go, as the usual electrical principles seems to have evaporated with this unit, or is it evaporated from my brain!!!!

Many thanks,

DIY Man

DIY Man, March 2010

Hi Adam,

Yes, the switch controls a light :-)

I just want to say thank you for all your help. I took your advice and went with it and you absolutely nailed it on the head and solved for me what was fast becoming a massive headache and nightmare.

I really appreciate your time and effort.

Kindest Regards,
David aka DIY Man :-)

DIY Man, March 2010

I assume from the switch you have that it controls a light and not a shower?

Put one of the red wires in COM and the other in L1.
Put the 2 black wires together in connector block.
Put the earth wires together in the earth terminal in the base of the unit.

Adam, March 2010