Currently reading:
Wiring replacement flood light

Discuss Wiring replacement flood light in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

gizmoo

DIY
Reaction score
4
I'm replacing a flood light with a new one.
When I took off the back of the new light for wiring I noticed that the fourth terminal to the right has a red wire at the top and a white one beneath it. See photo
That has confused me a little as the old lamp had the black wire going into the terminals where the two white wires are connected.

What I would like to know is where does the extra spare black from my supply go, its the one shown in the photo which is not yet connected ?

The first and second photos shows the previous arrangement where the black wire goes into the block shared by the two white wires.

The set up is that two flood lights come on together regardless of which sensor picks up first. They can both also be switched on and off from the inside via a switch as well.

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20210331_134629.jpg
    382.1 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_20210331_135126.jpg
    347.7 KB · Views: 37
  • IMG_20210331_144044.jpg
    338.6 KB · Views: 36
That separate black cable appears to be the switched line linking across to the other light. However, it doesn't seem to be the correct type of cable, it looks like conduit cable or one core stripped from twin & earth, which is not safe to run unprotected especially outdoors because it has no sheath. Please can you clarify how it is run before we advise?
 
I'm replacing a flood light with a new one.
When I took off the back of the new light for wiring I noticed that the fourth terminal to the right has a red wire at the top and a white one beneath it. See photo
That has confused me a little as the old lamp had the black wire going into the terminals where the two white wires are connected.

What I would like to know is where does the extra spare black from my supply go, its the one shown in the photo which is not yet connected ?

The first and second photos shows the previous arrangement where the black wire goes into the block shared by the two white wires.

The set up is that two flood lights come on together regardless of which sensor picks up first. They can both also be switched on and off from the inside via a switch as well.

Thanks
Hi, not sure what you mean how it's run, but was installed 20 years ago as part of an extention. You are correct that it is stripped additional wire.
The set up is that the the original light b4 the extension on one side of the house has remained unaltered but when the extention was built I asked that the new light (the current one in discussion) would also come on at the same time and vice versa, and both can be controlled from inside with a switch.

I would have thought to replicate the original wiring set up from the old light in the photos I would have to basically take the pinkish coloured cable out of the block and connect it to the white cable underneath it on the terminal (so white and pinkish cables are shared in the block) and simply replace with the black wire in question where the pink cable once was.

All I'm trying to do from a wiring point is replicate the wiring configuration of the old light, which is showing the black floating wire to be connected to the two white cables

Would that work?
 
Well, yes, it would be the same as before. But I can't really say go ahead when the cable does not appear to comply with the regulations and should not have been installed like that in the first place. The fact that it has worked for years is neither here nor there.
 
Well, yes, it would be the same as before. But I can't really say go ahead when the cable does not appear to comply with the regulations and should not have been installed like that in the first place. The fact that it has worked for years is neither here nor there.
Hi thanks for your reply, but what is practicable, I cannot rip up everything to rewire. I can protect the wire by sleeving and it and protect it from the elements but what I can't do is demolish thd house I order to bring the correct colours on board. Next year the colors will change again and so on.

So to answer my question I just need some advice if what I'm Proposing will work, thanks
 
It's not the colour. Cable cores stripped of their sheath are not permitted to be used in this manner, they are not robust enough.
 
Hi thanks for your reply, but what is practicable, I cannot rip up everything to rewire. I can protect the wire by sleeving and it and protect it from the elements but what I can't do is demolish thd house I order to bring the correct colours on board. Next year the colors will change again and so on.

So to answer my question I just need some advice if what I'm Proposing will work, thanks

Very cavalier attitude to safety. It may well work, but think of the poor bloke who finds this delight in the future.
 
They also said diesel cars were the best thing since sliced bread, but don't see many trades men driving around in electric vehicles.

With respect the question was regarding the wiring not the merits of other people's work. If the question was regarding workmanship and practices I would whole heartedly agree.

I've used reputable firms that swore blind that running wires along side central heating pipes was acceptable, do please I get it. Now back to the original question can as nyone answer that.
 
Not sure your analogy of diesel/electric vehicles and a singularly insulated conductor works for me!

It was answered in previous replies!
The point being that everything at first seems acceptable but for some reason someone comes along and changes or places demands in the name of safety.

Most new codes are written by individuals who sit behind a desk and create profits for companies, a bit like the medical sector, tablet for everything but no one can tell you how to solve the issues, a bit like my question, 15 odd posts later
 
The apparent wiring of your lights has not become 'unacceptable' as the result of any regulation change since it was installed.
If it is as it seems, it was dangerous when it was installed, and is still dangerous now, and if the same person was responsible for the wiring in the extension, then that is suspect until it has been checked.
If we, as professionals, give advice on how to connect up dangerous wiring, then we are assuming liability for that wiring. In the event of a fire or a death, you would point at this thread on this forum, and say "they told me how to do it".
 

Reply to Wiring replacement flood light in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock