Wiring a new ceiling light

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Lee
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Joined: Mon 12 Jul, 2004 15.49

Hello.

So anyway we've got one of these newfangled ceiling lights in Seaman HQ to replace the old candle system we had set up. Mr Scott suggested posting pics on here, so here goes...

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People on other forums have suggested connecting the two reds together in a block connector and tuck them away. Switch live to L, neutral to neutral, earth to earth. Done this, but it's not working.

Any ideas?
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bilky asko
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http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ostcount=3

This may be of some use.

Also, if you have a dimmer switch, try replacing it with a straight on/off switch, as dimmers can cause problems with fittings.
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Philip Cobbold
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As there are 2 sets of live and 2 sets of neutral I assume you have a second light in the room that works off the same switch?
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Gavin Scott
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Yup, its a dual circuit. Obviously for a fitting with two sets of lamps.

Are there two switches on the wall? If not, someone has simplified the circuit over time.

The advice you've been given is poor. Twist both reds (Live) together and both blacks (Neutral) together. Put the twisted pairs into the Live and Neutral inlets respectively, and the yellow/green (Earth).

That should do it.

Let me know if not.
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all new Phil
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Yeah, just... umm... make sure you stand back before you flick the switch.
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Lee
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As far as I know, the black one is neutral and the black with the red sleeve is the "switch live". Are you sure I twist them together?

There's only one light in that room, one switch. As far as I know there's never been two.
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Gavin Scott
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Lee wrote:As far as I know, the black one is neutral and the black with the red sleeve is the "switch live". Are you sure I twist them together?

There's only one light in that room, one switch. As far as I know there's never been two.
Ok, will have another go at posting with a sober head. Clearly thought it was a good idea to post after the pub.

BAD IDEA.

Anyway - "switch live" is a confusing term. Its not the live. The red (and only the red) is live.

You only need to create one circuit.

Current in (red) to the (L) on the fitting
current out (black) to the (N) on the fitting.

One circuit. Simple path.

I would (despite anything I may have written at 1.20am) connect the remaining red and black to separate blocks of a cable connector strip, wrap in pvc tape for good measure, and tuck into the void.

Don't forget the earth - and make sure you're wiring the red/black/earth from the same feeder - which appears to be the one including the red sleeve (on the left of your pic).
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Gavin Scott
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I'll tell you why I was confused yesterday - its common to combine two light circuits into one switch - so at the switch plate you would twist red/red and black/black - it threw me that this was at the ceiling.

Out of curiosity I would undo the wall switch plate. If there's two sets of cables twisted together then there must indeed have been two circuits.
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Lee
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Joined: Mon 12 Jul, 2004 15.49

Have just tried what you said and still nothing :(
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Lee
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This is what's behind the switch...

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Gavin Scott
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I see. Perhaps the circuit you connected isn't active. Try the other. Do you have a mains tester screwdriver? About 1.99 from a hardware shop.
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