Where am I going wrong with conservatory lights?

MagnumPI · Sep 12, 2021

Just removed some tired and grotty looking spotlights which were fitted to the top beam of my conservatory. Bro in law removed them first before I could look at how they were wired in but thought nothing of it cos its simple right? ?

Have bought 4 hanging vintage style pendants to replace them with. Anyway, only two out the four work, despite me and BiL getting up and wiring them and checking them a dozen times. #1 works; #2 no; #3 works; #4 no

So where are we going wrong?

This one is the second of 4 from the wall and has two times NEL from the loop (as do #1 and #3)

[ElectriciansForums.net] Where am I going wrong with conservatory lights?

This is #4 at the end and only has one NEL wire

telectrix · Sep 12, 2021

testing, testing, testing. youhave obviously lost either a L or an N somewhere. and had the diy store run out of earth sleeve?

MagnumPI · Sep 12, 2021

telectrix said:
testing, testing, testing. youhave obviously lost either a L or an N somewhere. and had the diy store run out of earth sleeve?

Are you suggesting that #4 should have another set of NEL wires which might be within the ceiling space?

FatAlan · Sep 12, 2021

Double check the terminations in all the fittings.

Mikegh · Sep 12, 2021

Doesn't sound like there's a t+e missing so could be a termination issue at the fittings ?

Spoon · Sep 12, 2021

MagnumPI said:
checking them a dozen times. #1 works; #2 no; #3 works; #4 no

Welcome to the forum mate.
Are you saying that the above is the way its wired or just the way you have numbered them?
Does 2 wire back to 1, 3 wire back to 2 & 4 wire back to 3?

UNG · Sep 12, 2021

Can't see how 1 & 3 would work and 2 & 4 not unless the wiring order is 1, 3, 2 & 4 and there is a bad connection or cable break between fittings 3 & 2

Spoon · Sep 12, 2021

UNG said:
Can't see how 1 & 3 would work and 2 & 4 not unless the wiring order is 1, 3, 2 & 4 and there is a bad connection or cable break between fittings 3 & 2

That's why I wanted the wiring confirming. Gives us more of a clue to what is happening.

MagnumPI · Sep 12, 2021

Spoon said:
Welcome to the forum mate.
Are you saying that the above is the way its wired or just the way you have numbered them?
Does 2 wire back to 1, 3 wire back to 2 & 4 wire back to 3?

As the wiring is inside the apex of the conservatory the problem is I have no idea which order and which ones are connected to others etc.

I'm first of all going to recheck ALL the terminals as so far I have been assuming that #1 and #3 which work are fine and not rechecked those.

Dave OCD · Sep 12, 2021

Bit rough chopping the connector blocks off the centre to get the wires to reach and not using earth sleeving . But anyway, I assume you swapped the lamps [bulbs] round to confirm you didn't have two duds before taking everything apart again ? And also make sure the bulbs are firmly screwed in.

Taylortwocities · Sep 12, 2021

Two pole voltage tester or a multimeter needed. Do you have one?

MagnumPI · Sep 13, 2021

Dave OCD said:
Bit rough chopping the connector blocks off the centre to get the wires to reach and not using earth sleeving . But anyway, I assume you swapped the lamps [bulbs] round to confirm you didn't have two duds before taking everything apart again ? And also make sure the bulbs are firmly screwed in.

Yes I chopped the terminal box up and then experimented with Wago connectors to help with assurance of termination, and also ease of connection as I'm 12+ ft in the air on a ladder and not that comfortable at height so wanted a quick secure connection and then get down.

MagnumPI · Sep 13, 2021

Taylortwocities said:
multimeter needed. Do you have one?

Yes. But would appreciate a step by step as a beginner to help test and fault find.

Mikegh · Sep 13, 2021

MagnumPI said:
Yes. But would appreciate a step by step as a beginner to help test and fault find.

A 2-wire voltage tester and check for 230v at fittings that don't work

Check bulbs fitted tight and working

You can then use a voltstick and check on the L-E if possible without tripping RCDs to see what's present if anything

Mikegh · Sep 13, 2021

Continuity on L-E is another one if you're trained and only in the right circumstances

So you can possibly establish 230v present , L present and even N present just by testing

But those would require a little experience and can't always be done safely , but it's what's possible to check in the right situation

Where am I going wrong with conservatory lights?

MagnumPI

telectrix

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MagnumPI

FatAlan

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Mikegh

Spoon

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UNG

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Spoon

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MagnumPI

Dave OCD

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Taylortwocities

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MagnumPI

MagnumPI

Mikegh

Mikegh

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