Replacing Bathroom Pullcord Switch

[Manana]

Can anyone assist me please as I have a problem here, My bathroom pull cord switch for the light has came off whilst trying to turn on the light and a friend of mine has told me that to fix the cord I would have to rewire a new unit onto the base. My Electrical knowledge goes as far as wiring a plug and no more and to be honest the thought of attempting to rewire this terrifies me. A work colleague was telling me that his house was wired wrong and that even with all the power off one of his switches stays live and he was also saying that even when you turn off the main power switch at the electrical box sometimes residual electricity still remains? I have no idea what to do as I can't afford an electrician and I don't ever like to mess around with electricity or gas as one mistake could mean death. Any pointers on what to do?

[AlBags]

Ask that person at work to check for you... and change the fitting. Pick one up for a couple of quid at Wickes or B&Q.
Easy to do, and only two connections .. plus maybe an earth.
Make sure circuit breaker or fuse pulled for upstairs lights (assuming bathroom in question is upstairs) Use a decent lamp or torch to see what you're doing. Check other lights adjacent room(s)are off.
An electrical test screwdriver should be used onto the terminals to check all dead. Then replace, copying old terminal connections.
Any doubts, ask a 'competent' person for help.
Easy to do, really. : )

[Buenchico]

Sound advice from Albags, as usual, but it occurs to me that you might not even need to replace the unit anyway.

The usual reason that a cord comes away is simply because the metal bit at the end has become unscrewed. If so (after turning off the power) all you need to do is to unscrew the cover, thread the cord through the hole, screw the brass fitting back into the only possible place that it can fit into, and screw the cover up again.

Chris

[AlBags]

A possibility, yes .. Sometimes there is a 'joiner' at the top tho.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Al....you SHOCK me.....NEVER use an electrical test screwdriver to confirm a circuit is dead.If you have one ...smash it with a hammer and put it in the bin.If you play with leccy at least use an approved and working voltage tester.

[AlBags]

Sorry .. yes .. mine are .. Digital Tester screwdriver AVO/Megger.
Let's not get carried away tho for a lighting circuit with a 5A breaker : )
Remember what we USED to do a few years back!

[AlBags]

PS. Did that full rewire job ever come your way? (remember the wild quotes?)

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Thanks for the interest Al......the R8 drives ok...hows the Datsun?