Taking a Six way lighting switch apart

[snailracer]

So I had a go at the lighting switch last night to try and get the faulty barrel out. I broke it in doing so and thought I'd share so people know what to look out for.

P1000790 by snailracer, on Flickr

First job is to get the knob off

P1000789 by snailracer, on Flickr

Push the button in underneath and pull it off. Sounds easy but it will probably be stuck fast. I broke the plastic piece that the knob locates on by prying with a screwdriver. I think you'd be best using something that pulls it evenly all the way round, and possibly soaking it for several days!

Next up is to flip it over and pry the metal tabs open

P1000793 by snailracer, on Flickr

P1000792 by snailracer, on Flickr

And then separate the metal and plastic parts

P1000794 by snailracer, on Flickr

This then separates into two pieces. You need to undo the small nuts in the centre. Be carefull not to lose the contacts and six tiny springs

P1000795 by snailracer, on Flickr

P1000796 by snailracer, on Flickr

Once you've done that you can check the contacts in the back piece and then proceed to taking the barrel out. First undo the grub screw and remove the spring and ball.

P1000797 by snailracer, on Flickr

P1000798 by snailracer, on Flickr

And then remove the barrel assembly

P1000799 by snailracer, on Flickr

You can just about make out the pin to remove the barrel (its the brass circle in the middle of the picture). There should be plastic around it for it to locate but it was a bit broken in mine. Push this to be able to slide the barrel out.

P1000800 by snailracer, on Flickr

Now you should have a pile of bits ready to be checked, replaced as necessary and put back together. Assembly is of course the reverse of disassembly.