basic stuff help please

[amckay]

I know I'm stupid for asking this question. Basically I went to my mums house today where I witnessed my stepdad doing diy and fitting some new bar spot lights in the kitchen that he had bought from b+q.
Anyway I stepped in as he had gotten the Strappers mixed with the L-in & L-out / loop. So I connected up, powered up and nothing. Feeling like a plonker I retreated to the missus car to fetch my (don't tell me off I know were not supposed to rely on them) neon screwdriver as my tools are in my van. So I've confirmed voltage is going into the fitting via the light switch (switch off = neon unlit, switched on =neon lights up) I also put the neon in the neutral terminal and did the same which it lit up when switched on making me think it was a complete circuit. But for some reason the four GU10's wouldn't light up but we changed the lamp for another I knew worked. I'm thinking a duff fitting but diy Dave is adamant he had it lit up (but wired it permanently on as he got Strappers mixed), so I'm unsure the fitting is at fault.
What do I do next? I know my wiring was correct and tight in the choc block.

 

[Guest77]

Sounds like you have got the switch wire in with the neutral, I would think it is red which is a feed and needs to be joined through, one black is the switch wire and two blacks will be the neutral, if you have the 3 blacks together then it would explain your findings.

 

[amckay]

The cable running to the switch is twin red. I've "belled" it out using the neon (yes I know I shouldn't work live!) To prove the twin red was a strapper.

 

[Guest77]

The cable running to the switch is twin red. I've "belled" it out using the neon (yes I know I shouldn't work live!) To prove the twin red was a strapper.

Well that is strange, are you sure? did you remove the switch to see if two reds are in there fella?

 

[amckay]

The cables I have are feed in (red + black) feed out (red + black) switch wire (twin red) and an unknown (red + black).

now I separated all cables turned power on and only got voltage at the feed in cable. the unknown cable didn't have any voltage and I can't think of what it is other than another light (to a cupboard under the stairs approx 3.5meters away) but can't confirm this until Wednesday when I go back with my mft.

 

[amckay]

Sorry, yes I took the switch plate off. Two reds inside.

 

[Guest77]

Wellyou could always join the feed in direct to the light temporarily to prove the light works lol, if that works then add the 2 reds to the switch and so on, if it doesn't work then the new light is faulty isn't it?

 

[amckay]

OK cheers fella will try that

 

[pennychew]

No such thing as a stupid question in here. Sounds like a duff fitting to me

 

[Pete999]

The cable running to the switch is twin red. I've "belled" it out using the neon (yes I know I shouldn't work live!) To prove the twin red was a strapper.

Twin red at the lighting point yes? that will be the live to the switch and the other red will be the switch line back to the light. ie lie pair to light, live pair to next light twin red live and switch line to swiitch

 

[amckay]

Pennychew -thanks!
Pete999 - I get that mate thanks.

I have tried mdjs suggestion as I'm at the house now and I've connected a pendant (as a temp measure using choc block) to the perm live and N. The lamp doesn't illuminate. I've changed the lamp for one I know works. Nothing. Wtf?!

 

[amckay]

I was starting to think there's a break on last N leg. But that can't be so, as none of the lights would illuminate

 

[amckay]

I've just had a thought. He changed the fitting in the dining room, which I know the perm feed goes from there into the kitchen (where I'm struggling. Maybe a N is loose in there which could explain why the kitchen isn't working. I'll go check that now and respond shortly

 

[amckay]

OK guys my guess was right. I took off the light fitting to be greeted with a neutral that had popped out of its terminal. Put it back in nice and tight, power switched on and now the kitchen light works. Thanks for your advice and help its much appreciated.