Can't get a wall light to work?

[benpickford1978]

Wall light not working...

Have two wall lights that are connected together on the same circuit, but can't get one of them to work - changed the fitting itself and (obvs) changed bulb...

Seems to be current flowing, cos I hold up a 'cable finder' meter when it is switched on and reading goes through the roof...

Any ideas, cos I've run out... :-(

 

[littlespark]

By cable finder, I guess you mean a non contact voltage detector?

not really effective for fault finding and won’t pick up a broken neutral for example.

If you feel confident, isolate the circuit, and check the connections behind each light.

depending on how it’s wired, you might find a fault straight away, or it could be at a hidden joint box under the floorboards above.
A neutral joint may also be present behind the switch, (newer houses)

 

[benpickford1978]

By cable finder, I guess you mean a non contact voltage detector?

not really effective for fault finding and won’t pick up a broken neutral for example.

If you feel confident, isolate the circuit, and check the connections behind each light.

depending on how it’s wired, you might find a fault straight away, or it could be at a hidden joint box under the floorboards above.
A neutral joint may also be present behind the switch, (newer houses)

Thanks pal - I’m up for trying and I’m pretty handy...any chance I can send you some pics so you can tell me what I need to try? ‘Broken Neutral’ sounds feasible, but no idea how Is test for it or even fix it - is it a nightmare if it’s all behind the player board or realitvely straightforward...sorry for bothering you...I’m at the end of my feather, tried all the obvious things (I think) so would appreciate any help/advice you can give? ?

 

[littlespark]

The earth wires, although sleeved should be connected to the fitting in the central terminal... it may have just come out when you took it off the wall.

Is this a photo of each wall light? I don’t see why there’s two reds and only one black?

Have they ever worked?

 

[benpickford1978]

The earth wires, although sleeved should be connected to the fitting in the central terminal... it may have just come out when you took it off the wall.

Is this a photo of each wall light? I don’t see why there’s two reds and only one black?

Have they ever worked?

This is where I completely show my lack of knowledge....

So this particular one was plastered over - I manged to fish the cables out this morning using and inspection camera with a hook attached to it....

I've moved the earth wires out of the way whilst I fiddle about - would that cause the light to not work?

Attached a little video to show a bit more....

 

[littlespark]

Ooo. I should have got back to this earlier....

stop what you’re doing before you get a shock.

You’ve got a metal switch there, that appears to be earthed, but as the earths are disconnected at the light, there might not be an earth path back to the board.

you really need an electrician with test equipment to find what cable is what.
we can’t really advise from afar.
It may be a simple fix, or it may not. The fact the cables were in the wall suggests they haven’t been used for a while and may be damaged (hence why old wall lights were taken out)

 

[telectrix]

if you are on my side of m'cr, i.e. west/southwest, be happy to call and see if i can fix. sensible rates for forum members.

 

[littlespark]

if you are on my side of m'cr, i.e. west/southwest, be happy to call and see if i can fix. sensible rates for forum members.

“Sensible” means quality alcohol, not the supermarkets own pish

 

[benpickford1978]

Ooo. I should have got back to this earlier....

stop what you’re doing before you get a shock.

You’ve got a metal switch there, that appears to be earthed, but as the earths are disconnected at the light, there might not be an earth path back to the board.

you really need an electrician with test equipment to find what cable is what.
we can’t really advise from afar.
It may be a simple fix, or it may not. The fact the cables were in the wall suggests they haven’t been used for a while and may be damaged (hence why old wall lights were taken out)

Ooo. I should have got back to this earlier....

stop what you’re doing before you get a shock.

You’ve got a metal switch there, that appears to be earthed, but as the earths are disconnected at the light, there might not be an earth path back to the board.

you really need an electrician with test equipment to find what cable is what.
we can’t really advise from afar.
It may be a simple fix, or it may not. The fact the cables were in the wall suggests they haven’t been used for a while and may be damaged (hence why old wall lights were taken out)

Th

Thanks - don’t suppose you know of any good electricians in Manchester that you would recommend? B.

 

[littlespark]

Thanks - don’t suppose you know of any good electricians in Manchester that you would recommend? B.

See post #7

 

[benpickford1978]

if you are on my side of m'cr, i.e. west/southwest, be happy to call and see if i can fix. sensible rates for forum members.

City centre - let me know if you can fit me in at some point? B.

 

[telectrix]

“Sensible” means quality alcohol, not the supermarkets own pish

Lidl's sell me theakston's. that's not pish. pish is the cheap lager, most lager is pish anyway.

 

[telectrix]

City centre - let me know if you can fit me in at some point? B.

normallya bit too far for me. however there are a few menbers closer. watch this space.

 

[benpickford1978]

normallya bit too far for me. however there are a few menbers closer. watch this space.

Thank you...

B.