Good Quality Ceiling Pull Switch

Traveller · Jul 1, 2025

Two years ago my bathroom was redone - everything modernised, replaced, redecorated etc. The ceiling pull switch for the light had been in place for 38 years and still worked well but looked a bit old and yellowed. It was made by MK. It was discarded in favour of a more attractive new ceiling pull switch that failed after about 12 months. A second new switch was then installed that failed after about 10 months. This was replaced by a “premium quality” ceiling switch that failed after 2 weeks.

Where can I get a basic single-pole ceiling light switch that is reliable? My problem is that I am disabled and cannot use a stepladder. Every replacement has to be made by a hired electrician for £100ish. I am getting fed up with the situation.

All comments appreciated.

Traveller · Jul 7, 2025

Has anyone got a suggestion?

westward10 · Jul 7, 2025

Get your electrician back if they are failing that quickly.

RMS Electrical · Jul 7, 2025

Traveller said:
Has anyone got a suggestion?

Hi there

With very limited information as to the type of building, it is difficult to come up with many suggestions. Perhaps next time ask your tradesman to replace the pullswitch by installing an accessible surface light switch, via a pattress wall box and extend the wiring in plastic trunking. Wall switches are way more reliable, unless there is a definite requirement to keep the pullswitch.
Hope this helps

brianmoooore · Jul 7, 2025

RMS Electrical said:
. Perhaps next time ask your tradesman to replace the pullswitch by installing an accessible surface light switch, via a pattress wall box and extend the wiring in plastic trunking. Wall switches are way more reliable, unless there is a definite requirement to keep the pullswitch.
Hope this helps

I've never understood the UK obsession with fitting ceiling switches in bathrooms. I've been in the electrical contracting business for fifty years, and rarely is it necessary to fit one instead of a conventional wall switch.
The regulations basically are that it is fine to fit a conventional switch as long as it is 600mm or more from the edge of a shower enclosure or a bath. On the rare occasions that this is not possible, an alternative is to fit the switch on the opposite side of the wall to where you would prefer it, immediately outside of the bathroom.