I changed ceiling light and it won’t light up!

[Timmymeads]

I decided to change my ceiling light for a new one. A simple x4 bulb horizontal fixture.
I didn’t look at the previous wiring on old light and then realised there were

X4 black wires
X4 red Wires
Earth

coming out the cieling.

I assumed I put all black to neutral and red to live and Earth to Earth in the light fixture but I did this and ALL lights would stay on.

I was a little clueless. I did research on google which said to find the black (live wire) by connect block x4 red and seperate connect x3 black and leave a x1 black out. Until the electric box doesn’t pop then put that black live wire into the live cable of the lamp. Then join a cable from other x3 black wires to the neutral. I did this and light in kitchen lighted up but didn’t switch off. All the other lights on the circuits was off... I then figured by putting x2 black in a connection block and x2 other black in connection block aswell as the 4 red in connection block. I had light everywhere again but the light in kitchen although I have not connected it but how would I do that!? I’ve spent hours trying to figure out how it would work!! I also think the red wires might not have been catching in the block or not straight enough perhaps? To which eventually I got light back in the rest of the house? Or would I always have light given all red together and the x3 black with x1 black live discarded. Any help would be appreciated. On the circuit I have x3 sets of lights I think and possibly the alarm system.

Thank you

 

[davesparks]

Won't he require the test gear to complete the minor works cert?

View attachment 55575

For replacing a light fitting in his own house? No of course not, that's just ridiculous.

 

[peterhyper]

Do not use a 'volt pen' for testing isolation, they are a rough guide at best and not suitable for testing.

I don't know if that is correct or not as I have not seen your installation and do not know how it is wired, there are many ways to wire a lighting circuit and whilst it is likely that there is one black switched live I cannot guarantee this.

Without a continuity tester and the knowledge to use it it is not possible to identify the cables safely and without making them live.
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That's ridiculously over the top for identifying a few cables to replace an existing light fitting.

For replacing a light fitting in his own house? No of course not, that's just ridiculous.

I get you, so it's only a qualified electrician who has to issue a minor works cert for replacing a light fitting?

 

[davesparks]

I get you, so it's only a qualified electrician who has to issue a minor works cert for replacing a light fitting?

No, nobody has to issue a minor works cert for replacing a light fitting.
Unless there has been a change in the regulations that I've missed.

 

[Pete999]

The problem is that you needed to identify and label each conductor before taking the old light down, failing to do this has left you with a problem.

You need to test each cable to identify its function. Having four cables is unusual, it is normally 3.

What test equipment do you have?

A volt stick probably

 

[telectrix]

a simple continuity tester will suffice. he can lash one up with battery, a bit of scrap cable, and a BULB. ( and long arms to reach the light switch (if he's not already destoyed it))

 

[robd]

Was going to say even a multimeter would do the job

 

[DPG]

Nobody in their right mind is going to expect a homeowner to issue a minor works cert when he/she changes a light fitting in their own home !

 

[littlespark]

If all you’re doing is changing a light fitting, then even a qualified electrician doesn’t need to fill in a minor works.
Sorry if someone’s already said it.

 

[DPG]

I have been criticised on here along with others for not issuing a minor works cert for replacing a plastic light switch let alone a light fitting (I never have issued one and never will), but now it's okay for some to give advice to a DIYER to sort his live cables out who has a volt stick and is clueless?

By and large the advice has been to get an electrician in. And regards the MWC, there have been different opinions from different people about sparkies issuing certs for accessory changes, but nobody has ever said that a homeowner should fill out certs for a light swap.

 

[westward10]

Thread is getting away from the original issue. OP I hope you resolve the issue by using the services of an electrician.
Thread closed.