PIR parallel to Switch makes short circuit

Cashman · Oct 9, 2019

Hi, I have lighting in the bathroom plus an extractor fan. There is one switch for the lights and one switch higher up for the fan. I installed a PIR in the bathroom and wnated it to turn both lighting and the fan in parallel to the switch. I fed the PIR from the fan's permanent F and took the return from the PIR back to the fan's Switched connection+ the switched F on the lighting. As soon as I switch manually I get a short circuit. Has anyone got an idea what the problem is??
Thanks

Risteard · Oct 9, 2019

I'm guessing you have a short circuit between phase and neutral but without pictures it's hard to be certain as to what's happening.

Andy5678 · Oct 9, 2019

You may have wired it wrong, can you post wiring pictures/diagram?

When installing wiring may have been damaged when screwing face plates back down etc

telectrix · Oct 10, 2019

i would suspect that you have connected a black switched L to a black N. (or blues if it's a post 2006 installation).

Cashman · Oct 10, 2019

Andy5678 said:
You may have wired it wrong, can you post wiring pictures/diagram?

When installing wiring may have been damaged when screwing face plates back down etc

Hi, Andy, I have attached the diagram with the PIR addition. I have checked the wiring and all wires are connected correctly. It is only as soon as I switch the light switch on that I get a short. a switched wire.
[automerge]1570710603[/automerge]

Risteard said:
I'm guessing you have a short circuit between phase and neutral but without pictures it's hard to be certain as to what's happening.

Here is the diagram

[ElectriciansForums.net] PIR parallel to Switch makes short circuit

Andy5678 · Oct 10, 2019

the PIR will not work as per diagram.

Blue and yellow should not be connected together from the PIR.

I think you need to re think your wiring

Cashman · Oct 10, 2019

Andy5678 said:
the PIR will not work as per diagram.

Blue and yellow should not be connected together from the PIR.

I think you need to re think your wiring

the instruction says blue/green (N) and it came connected in the terminal. I can try with blue only to see how it works (these chinese stuff!)

James · Oct 10, 2019

Your profile says qualified electrical engineer.

What have you done so far to validate the functions of the cables supplied with the new pir unit?

Cashman · Oct 10, 2019

James the Spark1976 said:
Your profile says qualified electrical engineer.

What have you done so far to validate the functions of the cables supplied with the new pir unit?

I have the following qualifications:

BEng
Eng Tech
IEng
C Eng
Master of Business
and DBA, which means Doctor of Business Administration.

Now, I work as a leader, leading International projects! I have not been doing electrical stuff for the past 27 years, and my apprenticeship was in Industrial Automation. We all come across situations, where we are in doubt. I have now tested the PIR and it is faulty. I simply trusted the wiring at first, but the drawing was not correct.

Thanks forum!

westward10 · Oct 10, 2019

EngTech, IEng and CEng are not qualifications they are Engineering Council nominations. Why you would claim the first two if you are a Chartered Engineer (CEng) is rather odd. You've not mentioned which licensed institution you belong to which enables the route to Engineering Council registration.

Andy5678 · Oct 10, 2019

Good luck with the new one. Let us know if it works!

MJPD29 · Oct 10, 2019

westward10 said:
EngTech, IEng and CEng are not qualifications they are Engineering Council nominations. Why you would claim the first two if you are a Chartered Engineer (CEng) is rather odd. You've not mentioned which licensed institution you belong to which enables the route to Engineering Council registration.

An interesting spanner in the works.

Cashman · Oct 10, 2019

westward10 said:
EngTech, IEng and CEng are not qualifications they are Engineering Council nominations. Why you would claim the first two if you are a Chartered Engineer (CEng) is rather odd. You've not mentioned which licensed institution you belong to which enables the route to Engineering Council registration.

Started Engineering APprenticeship in Denmark, then studied BEng, then moved to Germany and worked there as a project manager for 9 years, then moved to the UK and became IEng, then CEng, then MBA, and then DBA.
One thing I have noticed on this site is that some electricians question people ironically (e.g. when you post a question some start attacking by saying "are you not a qualified enginner"? WHy dont you know this and that, you should blah...blah...blah.

My answer to them is why is this site there?? What are you doing here yourselves?

?????

static zap · Oct 11, 2019

Cashman said:
.... but the drawing was not correct.

Often copied from a competitors instructions !
.. Do test if any Yellow/green wires are actually attached .. Life !
(Big Clive has plenty of advice on cheap bargains)

Cashman · Oct 11, 2019

Cashman said:
Started Engineering APprenticeship in Denmark, then studied BEng, then moved to Germany and worked there as a project manager for 9 years, then moved to the UK and became IEng, then CEng, then MBA, and then DBA.
One thing I have noticed on this site is that some electricians question people ironically (e.g. when you post a question some start attacking by saying "are you not a qualified enginner"? WHy dont you know this and that, you should blah...blah...blah.

My answer to them is why is this site there?? What are you doing here yourselves?

?????

institution is IET, but also German and Danish Institutions!

PIR parallel to Switch makes short circuit

Cashman

Risteard

-

Andy5678

-

telectrix

-

Cashman

Andy5678

-

Cashman

James

-

Cashman

westward10

Andy5678

-

MJPD29

-

Cashman

static zap

-

Cashman

Similar threads

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

YOUR Unread Posts