For the first part of this guide we will work through replacing a standard 6 amp pull cord light switch. From step 6 we will explain changing a 45 amp isolation switch. Step 1 – Isolate the Switch and Circuit 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. 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. In most cases, the 45 amp version will have an integrated light and/or on/off indicator that states when the appliance is live and also turned on.Any work other than this must be carried out by a professional electrician with the necessary knowledge to do the work to the regulation standards and also be able fully test it and then issue a minor works certificate once completed. Next, connect each wire in turn to the correct terminal according to the photo you took earlier. This should normally be Live brown/red to COM and neutral blue to L1. Step 2 – Undo the two retaining screws holding the switch in place and carefully pull it down a little. There should be sufficient wiring to allow you to do this as with the lighter duty switch above 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. Step 1 – Firstly isolate the power to the circuit you are working on in your consumer unit by turning off the MCB for that circuit or if a fuse box, pulling out the fuse. If you are unsure which is which, turn off all the power using the main isolator switch

Pull the switch free and turn it over to access the wires. Take a picture of the wires (normally just 2), noting exactly which wire is in which terminal. 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. The neutral wire should also have a brown sheath or brown tape wrapped around it to indicate that it’s the switched live, but this will depend on the wiring setup. As long as you wire it up the same as the old switch, all will be well. Using a flat blade screwdriver, loosen each terminal for each wire and pull them free, ensuring terminals are loose enough to easily pull them out. Step 3 – Using some maintenance spray such as WD40, apply the lubricant to the inside of the switch, where the wires are connected, especially in around the pull cord sectionStep 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