Moving a light switch

[JonathanRyan]

I have a light switch that's in an awkward place. I'd like to move it to a different wall. Obviously the "right" way to do it is to chase the wall, cut in a new back box and pull the wiring. But I have solid walls and it isn't that important

I've looked at Smart switches - but I live in the UK so don't have a neutral wire to the light and the "no neutral" switches turn out to be dimmers. I've just bought a lovely non dimmable light.

I've looked at remote switches and these seem to involve an ugly box on the ceiling and may also require a neutral (didn't get over the ugly to get on to the how would I fit it).

Any options I'm missing? (BTW Philips Hue looks great but I just spent a lot of money on a beautiful light and I don't think you can make them work with other people's lights.)

 

[billy nomates]

Ceiling pull switch? or no neutral required the return of the lamp holder should be directly connected to neutral if you get desperate

 

[JonathanRyan]

Ceiling pull switch? or no neutral required the return of the lamp holder should be directly connected to neutral if you get desperate

Thanks - hadn't thought of a pull cord. But there's limited access to the ceiling so would probably be tricky.

Will contact Ener-J though - that looks a good option. I'm just slightly concerned that most no neutral switches make LEDs flicker when they are off. I'll see what they say.

 

[woof woof]

If it's a surface mount box you could take the switch front off and replace it with a blanking plate, feed the wires out of the bottom and run them to a new box through a length of piping either horizontally, or take the piping and wiring down, through the floorboards and up again or down to the skirting and along on the surface. Whatever works for you. Or don't bother with a blanking plate and just leave the unused switch in place if you like. If it's a recessed back box replace the front with a plate with a front or bottom outlet or mount a surface mount box on top, that may be possible. I don't suppose these options will look pretty but if you can't chase the wall may be acceptable solutions and you may be able to make it look better or turn it into a feature, if you're artistic enough. Best option I suppose is to route the wiring down, or up, along and up/down assuming there are no barriers in the way.

 

[Cartus]

I have a wireless switch in my kitchen. The switch itself communicates with a controller on top of the cupboard.

Quinetic 1 Gang Wireless Switch c/w Built In Receiver - White | Quinetic (QURS1W)

www.tlc-direct.co.uk

 

[ecoleman]

I had the same problem. I installed a Philips Hue lightbulb with the Philips remote switch. Cost me around £30 although I did already have the Hub.

 

[JonathanRyan]

If it's a surface mount box you could take the switch front off and replace it with a blanking plate, feed the wires out of the bottom and run them to a new box through a length of piping either horizontally, or take the piping and wiring down, through the floorboards and up again or down to the skirting and along on the surface. Whatever works for you. Or don't bother with a blanking plate and just leave the unused switch in place if you like. If it's a recessed back box replace the front with a plate with a front or bottom outlet or mount a surface mount box on top, that may be possible. I don't suppose these options will look pretty but if you can't chase the wall may be acceptable solutions and you may be able to make it look better or turn it into a feature, if you're artistic enough. Best option I suppose is to route the wiring down, or up, along and up/down assuming there are no barriers in the way.

Thanks - it's a recessed box. I think if it were surface mount this would be the way to go but the front plate will make it all look a bit ugly. As a last resort maybe.

I have a wireless switch in my kitchen. The switch itself communicates with a controller on top of the cupboard.

Quinetic 1 Gang Wireless Switch c/w Built In Receiver - White | Quinetic (QURS1W)

www.tlc-direct.co.uk

That's exactly what I was looking for - thanks.

I had the same problem. I installed a Philips Hue lightbulb with the Philips remote switch. Cost me around £30 although I did already have the Hub.

Yes I'm starting to wish I'd done that. But I found a lovely ceiling light and Hue only works with Hue kit.

 

[woof woof]

AFAIR you can get a blank front plate with a half circular hole on one edge, but it's a long time since I was an electrician and maybe I just made the hole. As you say, as a last resort.