Faulty Extension Light Circuit

[Stuart Lane]

Light Switch has 3 terminals - L1, L2 and Common - I joined Blue to Common and Brown to L1/L2.

Light Fitting - I joined the single blue to twin blues and single brown to twin browns.

 

[telectrix]

the problem is in your wiring at the light. you have connected a switch L to the N so that when the switch is on, you're shorting L-N.a 20 minute job for a competent spark. £40 -£50 inc.

 

[westward10]

Thought so

 

[Octopus]

Light Switch has 3 terminals - L1, L2 and Common - I joined Blue to Common and Brown to L1/L2.

Light Fitting - I joined the single blue to twin blues and single brown to twin browns.

So no attempt to answer the questions about the installation, testing, certificate.....

DIY alert

 

[Strima]

Light Switch has 3 terminals - L1, L2 and Common - I joined Blue to Common and Brown to L1/L2.

Light Fitting - I joined the single blue to twin blues and single brown to twin browns.

Call in a spark to sort out your DIY cock up.

 

[Stuart Lane]

No certificate as I remember but he was a competent builder and everything else is fine. As for DIY cock up, how so and on whose part? I have done nothing wrong! Does the wiring need to be altered needs or just the light connections made differently?

 

[Octopus]

Does the wiring need to be altered needs or just the light connections made differently?

Impossible to diagnose on the internet.

Apologies if this isn't what you want to hear.

 

[westward10]

This is probably a straight forward incorrect connection of the neutral. Employ the services of an electrician for a couple of hours or consult the individual who installed it.

 

[telectrix]

No certificate as I remember but he was a competent builder and everything else is fine. As for DIY cock up, how so and on whose part? I have done nothing wrong! Does the wiring need to be altered needs or just the light connections made differently?

a competent builder he may be but a competent electrician is a different kettle of squid. sound to me like a classic case of mistaking a switch live ( which is generally a blue insulated conductor( should be sleeved brown)) for a neutral. it's a 20 minute job to identify such and rectify.

 

[Strima]

Light Fitting - I joined the single blue to twin blues and single brown to twin browns.

This is what is known as a DIY cock up. You have created a short circuit.

Please get an electrician in to test the circuit and repair as required as the short circuit may have caused some unseen damage

 

[westward10]

I would definitely replace the switch.

 

[telectrix]

I would definitely replace the switch.

and the builder. why is a builder working on electrics? we don't build walls or lay concrete, each should stick to what he knows.

 

[Strima]

and the builder. why is a builder working on electrics? we don't build walls or lay concrete, each should stick to what he knows.

Look at post #16 mate, all becomes clear...

 

[Stuart Lane]

To be fair to the builder I think he did use an electrician to run the wiring so apologies for giving a bad impression of him. Looks like I need to identify which is the live conductor missing the brown sheath then? I'll get my multi-meter on it! What damage might have been done to the wiring? The switch is probably damaged because I've shorted it so many times now.

 

[Strima]

Insulation damage, arcing on loose connections in ceiling roses and switches etc. MCB could also be damaged but this will be difficult to diagnose.

Bearing in mind that it will be the full circuit that will need inspecting and testing.

I would recommend getting an electrician in to thoroughly test the circuit with the correct test meter.