Communal Lighting in a Block of Flats

[Ridgey88]

Hi all,

i have to visit a job tomorro to find out why the hall lights are staying on constantly, i have never wired a communal lighting circuit before, so i thought i would get some input before hand.

as i understand it, my friend said that the way they do it is to have a timed mcb and a dawn till dusk sensor. i am asuming that there may be a problem with the timed mcb, but i dont know for sure. i have been mainly a central heating sparks for the last 4 years so i have become quite good at fault finding, but i always like to know how a wiring system is working first.

any input would be much appreciated,

Regards, Ridgey

 

[Dannyg83]

It might be the photocell ( dawn till dusk sensor ) make sure its switching by covering it up to make on its dark and uncovering it in daylight

 

[Ridgey88]

Thanks for your input danny, much appreciated. if there is no sensor any other ideas?

if you could give me an idea of how the system is wired then that would be a great help.

Regards, Ridgey

 

[Guest123]

Hi there.

It could be controlled by a number of methods

1. As you have said via a timeclock which may be faulty and stuck on the "on" setting.

2. As Danny has said via a photocell. If there is one, removing the head of the cell shold make them go off

3. A combination of both the above.

4. There may be a contactor in the circuit and the coil may have welded closed causing continuous operation.

5. A solar dial. Again this may be faulty and stuck "on" also

Hope this helps

 

[Ridgey88]

Thanks very much Lenny, yes that was a great help, im sure ill figure it out tomorro.

Regards, Ridgey

 

[Guest123]

Just thought of something else....time lag switches, again maybe stuck "on".

 

[Ridgey88]

Lol, ok. so if it was to be time lag switches then it could be any one of however many there are

Just thought of another, could be motion sensors, instead of switches

wish i had a wiring diagram though

 

[Guest123]

so if it was to be time lag switches then it could be any one of however many there are

Yep, if for instance it's an internal stairwell you may find a "switch" outside the entrance door to each flat and also top and bottom of stairs, and by the external door.

 

[Ridgey88]

I thought as much, what would be the easiest way to identify them? arn't they the ones with the big round buttons on the front?

Thanks

 

[Guest123]

Yes.

If there is a faulty one, the large button will be stuck "in" and wont be sticking out of the switchplate.

I've had issues with these before you get a build up of dust and grime on the outside of the button and this stops it form sliding freely in and out.