Sparky question

[miniman]

Our stairs could really do with some extra lighting. There's a generic pendant on the landing, and another in the hall, with nothing inbetween. I'd ideally like to put a third switch so there's one for the hall, one two-way for the landing (top and bottom) and one for the stairs.

Difficult to answer without seeing, but can this be done with minimal destruction of walls / ceilings?

[stuart313]

A 3rd switch or a 3rd light fitting, whatever you do will involve lifting of floorboards at the very least. You may at a pinch be able to get extra wires up tubes to the switches.

Can't you just wire an extra light from the landing one across the loft to over the stairs.

[miniman]

Ah, moderate complication: 3 storeys!

[stuart313]

miniman said:

Ah, moderate complication: 3 storeys!

The typical 3 storey, modern? town house will probably have chipboard floors.

[AndrewO]

Are you wanting to put another switch into a stairway with 2 x 2ways ? Need an intermediate for that which is 4wires (+earth) from that switch. Probably make a mess to get it in


I have the opposite, too many switches and lights.

[miniman]

Yep, chipboard floor. Don't really want to rip floors up, more inclined to go in through the ceilings.

[BlackZeD]

Could you fit an integral PIR operated one that will switch on when you walk up or down. Easy fit ??

[miniman]

Here's a crude diagram showing where I want the light to go, and where the current switch is for the landing light. I'm wondering if I can drop a cable down inside the wall and fiddle it through to the switch.

[stuart313]

Its all well and good getting a cable between the new light and the switch however odds on there wont be a neutral wire present at the switch and the light will need this connection to work. You would need to get a permanent live and neutral from another ceiling rose and take a switch sire down to the switch.

Take the switch off you were going to use and see if there are any neutral wires in the switch box, they will be connected together with a choc bloc or crimp as opposed to being connected directly to the switch.

[miniman]

Yeah no negative at the switch.

Plan C... buy a torch!

[elster]

Method of least destruction... Wireless switch?

[ruggedscotty]

Go with the Pir - makes it much eaiser and no major work involved. Id put in three one mid way and the up and bottom and have an individual pir for each light