I will try and keep this simple!!! It's confusing!!!

I'm trying wire a outside light on to my side wall. I thought i could get power from an existing light switch. The switch I thought I could get power from sits in my living room wall, on the outer wall of the house. It controls the light at the top of the stairs,also there is a switch on the landing which controls the same light. I have wired the outside light up via a weather proof switch, but i still get no power to the switch or light.

Why???? is it because the switch i'm trying to get power from is used in conjunction with the switch on the landing???
Does this transfers power from one switch to the other, some how???

Can I get a permanent live from the downstairs switch? if so how?????
What wires do I need to connect??? Common, Earth, L1,L2 etc

Any info will help Cheers A very P***ED Arsenal Fan

[Edited by Albert47 - 11/27/2003 9:51:34 PM]

I'm prepared to be shot down by proper sparkies here but...

UK Light siwtches rarely have a nuetral unfortunately. The Lighting main (live + neutral) goes from ceiling rose to ceiling rose. Each switch is then usually wired back to the rose it controls and has "Live" to the switch, then "Switched Live" back to the rose. The light uses the Neutral and Switched Live.

A 2-way switch is usually just an extension of this, with the 2nd/3rd... switches daisy chained from the 1st one., usually requires 3-way cable to get full 2-way switching. There are several variations and options, almost none of which involve the neutral you require.

I'm afraid you'll need to do more cabling (prob to a ceiling rose) to get what you need.

Deano
(Std S'Net disclaimer....get a pro in....not liable for advice blah blah)

Basically, you need to run a supply from a cieling rose through the loft, not difficult, cos you can take it out through the soffits!!

dsmith.. correct..

You wont / shouldnt find a live in a light switch..

make sure you have sealed around where your cable comes into the house.. make sure the wire has a drip loop.. ie comes out of light goes down the house wall and then back up and through the house wall.. so water drips off the cable and doesnt run down the cable and into the house / switch.

If the light is just say a 60w / 100w then wire it as said above.. If it is a floodlight then I would power it from a fused spur.

David

Thanx for the info lads. What you really wanted to say was YOU'VE FECKED IT MATE!!!!!!!:D :D :D


[Edited by Albert47 - 11/28/2003 3:11:33 PM]

If there is a neutral in your switch it will proberbly be in a connector, not connected to the switch, and of course would be black in colour.Chances are there won't be one there, so as the others say you need to come off a ceiling rose, or off your ring main via a fused spur.

Sparkykev, Cheers mate. It's just as i thought. I will have to come the ring main witha fuse it's easier than running from the rose. Cheers anyway mate!!