Electrical Query - light switches

CraigMcC11 · 27 Feb 2019 at 12:53

We had some work done in our kitchen/diner recently removing some internal cupboards/walls and putting bi-fold doors in. In our dining room we had a ceiling light which was controlled by 2 switches:
Switch A - on an internal wall on one side of the room which was a dimmer switch
Switch B - on other side of the room which was a simple on/off switch

We told the builder they could remove light switch A (the cupboard wall it was on was being removed) as we still had switch B at the other side of the room. Having capped the cable for switch A and plastering that into the ceiling where the cable came down from, switch B no longer works.

What could they have they done to stop switch B from working? Is this an easy fix - what would it involve?

TIA

NoobCannon · 27 Feb 2019 at 13:42

It was probably fed somehow from The first switch at a guess. The second switch now probably has no power/connections to The light would need to use a multimeter to check it out.

Imo. Dont start messing about with it Unless you know what your doung

CraigMcC11 · 27 Feb 2019 at 13:51

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. My (uneducated) guess was that it must be somehow wired in series and they've effectively cut that connection.

I'll be getting an electrician in to look at it but was hoping someone could shed some light on what would need to be done - reinstate existing cabling or could something be done at existing switch? Will I be looking at another plaster job.

NoobCannon · 27 Feb 2019 at 14:19

CraigMcC11 said:
Thanks, that's what I was thinking. My (uneducated) guess was that it must be somehow wired in series and they've effectively cut that connection.

I'll be getting an electrician in to look at it but was hoping someone could shed some light on what would need to be done - reinstate existing cabling or could something be done at existing switch? Will I be looking at another plaster job.

The removed switch could need to be re exposed and the cables connected back together. Or depending on how its wired it could possibly be done from the floorboards upstairs to save re plastering.

When the guy gets there he will give you
The best option imposible to guess without being infront of it.

CraigMcC11 · 27 Feb 2019 at 15:01

Thanks Cannon.

K.C. Leblanc · 3 Mar 2019 at 10:23

It might be a good idea to ask the electrician about adding a neutral connection to the switch while he's at it. This will make it nice and easy to add a smart switch in the future.