Why do lightpulls have to make a flipping noise?

[tell-me-more]

I understand the need for lightpulls instead of standard switches in bathrooms, but why do they have to make that noise every time you turn them on or off? Can they not just operate near-silently like ordinary switches?

[newtron]

So why are there lightpulls instead of switches in bathrooms here in the UK?  In the US, we have standard light switches in bathrooms.  I've often wondered about this.  Sorry, I don't have an answer to your question.

[tell-me-more]

Let me revise that. I don't understand the need for them either. I remember being told as a child that they were necessary in case there was a flood - the higher the switch the better - but I don't really see that now.

[Ralph]

I was under the impression that they were used because they mean you are insulated by a long piece of string where any water will move away from the switch mechanism, rather than having to poke a switch with a wet finger, millimetres from a live wire.

I do agree with you about the noise though. It's most annoying knowing when the people downstairs are going in the middle of the night, announced by a loud di-dong! I'm sure the technology exists to make near-silent ones, it's just when we stand in B&Q, we're most likely to make our decision based on looks and price, rather than noise.

[tell-me-more]

Your explanation is much more sensible Ralph, in fact I think that's probably what I was told years ago. Thanks for that. I'll ask for a silent one next time I visit a DIY store and see if they're available.

[lady_p_gold]

I am always amazed when I go the US and find normal plug sockets in their bathrooms for hairdryer etc.   Maybe they are just not worried about being eletrocuted !

[tell-me-more]

Perhaps in the US, they're not foolish enough to use electrical sockets and switches with wet hands, but I do prefer the lightpulls, it's just, as with so many other things, they seem to make an unnecessary noise. I popped into Homebase whilst I was near one yesterday, and the assistant looked at me almost as if I had two heads when I asked if they had quiet or silent lightpulls. I remembered then why I asked the question on here first. I think he thought I was a complete joker when I then asked for kitchen hooks that didn't have any adhesive on the back, but I know they exist because I had ones that were supported by suction cups a few years back.

[Hamish]

The pull is so that you dont touch a switch with wet hands - presumably you would dry them if the switch is outside the bathroom as it is in our house. The click is because the switch needs a bit of force to flip it- in a normal switch you control this as you press it, in a pull cord its not so controlled.

Finally the US question - the frequency in the us is 60hz but in the uk it is 50. 50 hz is more likely to kill you than 60, which tends to travell over the skin. However, both can kill you!

[tell-me-more]

Thanks to all of you who've responded to my initial question. Thanks to Hamish in particular for the info about why lightpulls make noise and why the US doesn't have them. Moving on, has anyone used a quiet lightpull, if not a silent one? I wonder if over the years, they've been designed better. I'll check next time I go to a modern house, where the light pulls aren't 25 years old. Even better, how else could a lightpull be designed so as to minimise the noise? I've found it a minor pain in the butt for years. Come to think of it, the shaving light in the same room (which is actually not very useful for shaving) also has a pull switch, but that is silent, or near enough. So couldn't the same mechanism be used in the switch for the main light?

[tell-me-more]

Actually I've just tried the switch for the shaver light, and it isn't silent, but the difference is, only the person using the shaver light could possibly be disturbed by the noise that switch makes.

[timcapper]

also, the US uses 110V whereas UK uses 230V.