Light problem - help me!

chrisgc · Sep 28, 2011

I have a problem with one light that depending on which way its wired up will either stay on or not come on at all.

I have attached a pic (poor quality) it does look a mess but this is only temporary by the way.

The pic of the cables is as follows:

Cable with no tape = Switch wire
Cable with white tape = Power
Cable with Yellow tape = loop to next set of lights (which works fine)
Cable with red tape = loops to other set of light (light at end does not operate properly with pic of light)

Red taped cable goes over to another light which is operated via a switch (cable with no tape) and the switch should operate this lamp holder as seen in the pic BUT also the red taped cable which loops to another light feature.

For some reason when I wire the red taped cable to the next light it either stays on or depending on how I wire it at light end it may stay off.

Hope you guys can follow my writing and really hope that a solution is found as its been really bugging me - It has worked in past but I was silly enough to forget to take a pic.

Chris

mark1979 · Sep 28, 2011

here goes....the way i see it you should have

feed in
feed out
switch wire
loop to another light (switched with this light?)

turn the power off and bell out the cables to find out exactly where theyre going

robsparky1975 · Sep 28, 2011

The light you are showing is this just a single pendant switched on its own or is the other light supposed to come on aswell,or does the other light have a feed and switch line,im a bit confused with what you have said does what,which light is at the end of the circuit,unless the other light is wired in series to come on with the one you have pictured in which case the brown of that wire would need to be paired with the switched live.

chrisgc · Sep 28, 2011

robsparky1975 said:
The light you are showing is this just a single pendant switched on its own or is the other light supposed to come on aswell,or does the other light have a feed and switch line,im a bit confused with what you have said does what,which light is at the end of the circuit,unless the other light is wired in series to come on with the one you have pictured in which case the brown of that wire would need to be paired with the switched live.

Thanks for your replies.

The light shown in the pic has the switch wire on and then in the pic the cable with red tape on goes to another light.
The switch cable in the pic should operate the light in pic (which it does) AND also the other light.

The other 2 cables are power (white taped) and other cable ( yellow taped) is a feed to another light which is operated via a complete different switch.

The only cable I am concerned about it the RED taped one which goes to another light operated by same switch wire as in pic.

But whatever way I seem to wire the last light up it either stays on or is off.

Its really bugging me -help.

Chris

chrisgc · Sep 28, 2011

Hopefully this diagram will help:

The original photo is of Light 1.

Red taped cable goes to light 2 and should be operated via Switch A which is connected to Light 1. But depending on the way i wire up Light 2 it either stays on or does not stay on at all.

But the lights should both switch on and off via switch A.

Chris

mark1979 · Sep 28, 2011

white tape - feed in
yellow tape - feed out
red tape brown doubled up with switch return from switch for that room

mark1979 · Sep 28, 2011

at the ceiling rose you should have:-

neutral terminal- 3 blues
middle loop terminal- 3 browns(feed in, feed out and feed to switch)
switch terminal- 2 browns(return from switch and brown to 2nd light)

you'll also have the brown and blue from the flex

hope this makes it a bit clearer

robsparky1975 · Sep 28, 2011

Looks as though something has got mixed up,there are 4 cables so 2 are feeds(in/out)1is a switched live and the other is for the 2nd light in series with light 1.if in doubt,switch off the power(remembering safe isloation etc)how did you come about finding you had a problem.

chrisgc · Sep 28, 2011

mark1979 said:
at the ceiling rose you should have:-

neutral terminal- 3 blues
middle loop terminal- 3 browns(feed in, feed out and feed to switch)
switch terminal- 2 browns(return from switch and brown to 2nd light)

you'll also have the brown and blue from the flex

hope this makes it a bit clearer

So I need to take the LIVE of the Red taped cable out from the loop and put it with the Switched live of the switch wire??

Chris

Paul.M · Sep 28, 2011

Hi Chris, going by the phot

keniff · Sep 28, 2011

Take the live core of the red taped cable in with the switch line (blue sleeved as brown) that will switch both lights at the same time

alarm man · Sep 28, 2011

chrisgc said:
So I need to take the LIVE of the Red taped cable out from the loop and put it with the Switched live of the switch wire??

Chris

im sorry but if your asking questions like that..theres a few threads on here about part p unqualified sparks etc..personally i think your a danger to yourself and to your customers,im nor going to argue about it..its an opinion..

your site

Home - CGC Electrical & Property Services

mark1979 · Sep 28, 2011

assuming that the cable with the red tape does go to the 2nd light then that should work. draw it out on a piece of paper including all lives and neutrals and it might help you work it out

Paul.M · Sep 28, 2011

Sorry for my last post, internet crashed on me.

All you need to do for the 2nd light to function is give it a cpc, neutral and switched live feed from the switched live incomer from the switch and job done.

alarm man · Sep 28, 2011

chrisgc said:
Its called learning by doing practical work. And asking questions. I have no intentions to danger myself or others I am merely asking a question and this question does not relate to customers work at all. I am trying to get the facts right about the wiring and maybe before you make assumptions you should get your fact right too.
I respect your opinion but please dont assume when you dont know.

its called learning off the cuff mate,you advertise electrical work,please subby it on to a registered spark while your learning,im not sure what how your insurance works but you may find yourself liable for something along the line..help the spark install etc and learn from him,a little knowledge is a dangerous thing man..

chrisgc · Sep 28, 2011

alarm man said:
its called learning off the cuff mate,you advertise electrical work,please subby it on to a registered spark while your learning,im not sure what how your insurance works but you may find yourself liable for something along the line..help the spark install etc and learn from him,a little knowledge is a dangerous thing man..

Alarm man,

I appreciate where your coming from. The site I have is still work in progress and to be honest I have had to veer away from the work due to other commitments. The question I raised is not a customer piece of work so fear not.
And I appreciate the advice about helping a spark out to learn - BUT they are simply not in a position to even offer any work as a dogs body as I have asked around.

Please dont take my comment as a dig by the way.

alarm man · Sep 28, 2011

chrisgc said:
Alarm man,

I appreciate where your coming from. The site I have is still work in progress and to be honest I have had to veer away from the work due to other commitments. The question I raised is not a customer piece of work so fear not.
And I appreciate the advice about helping a spark out to learn - BUT they are simply not in a position to even offer any work as a dogs body as I have asked around.

Please dont take my comment as a dig by the way.

thats fine man,but the thing i find quite/no very disturbing is the fact that you have done a di course,and are advertising electrical work,the fact is under current rules you can come into my house and do my lights,but i cant come into your house to do yours.i wish you well in becoming a spark but go the proper route,but the worlds gone mad...wheres me pills...

mg_smile:

chrisgc · Sep 29, 2011

alarm man said:
thats fine man,but the thing i find quite/no very disturbing is the fact that you have done a di course,and are advertising electrical work,the fact is under current rules you can come into my house and do my lights,but i cant come into your house to do yours.i wish you well in becoming a spark but go the proper route,but the worlds gone mad...wheres me pills...mg_smile:

Not doing electrical work for customers - I have passed work on in the past to someone who is registered with NAPIT. Work I have done was some downlighters for my brother.
Would not do it for anyone if was not sure. Have done pat testing (but then anyone can).
Just want some practical labour work as would love that - as love the learning part.
In the meantime I do painting and decorating and also collect set top boxes on behalf of Virgin Media.
Chris

alarm man · Sep 29, 2011

chrisgc said:
Not doing electrical work for customers - I have passed work on in the past to someone who is registered with NAPIT. Work I have done was some downlighters for my brother.
Would not do it for anyone if was not sure. Have done pat testing (but then anyone can).
Just want some practical labour work as would love that - as love the learning part.
In the meantime I do painting and decorating and also collect set top boxes on behalf of Virgin Media.
Chris

well you must have a big family because ive read all your posts and you do some work for your brothers,i think your a bit out your depth,learn a bit more before going it alone.

chrisgc · Sep 29, 2011

alarm man said:
well you must have a big family because ive read all your posts and you do some work for your brothers,i think your a bit out your depth,learn a bit more before going it alone.

He has had a property for last couple of years (not living in it at the moment). Qualified sparky come in and sorted new consumer unit out on it - but I have been doing just small stuff there.
Been good experience on the whole - It stalled for a while though due to planning permission taking ages for decision for certain things only for it to get declined (typical).
But your right - before going alone - I need to do a lot more learning (anyone in Swindon area need a dogsbody - or just me to shadow over them)?
Oh and I do appreciate your advice as know your being honest.

ackbarthestar · Sep 29, 2011

Chris,
This is how I interpret the information you have given:
Connect each L and N from the white and yellow marked cables across the Neutral and Loop in the pendant
Connect the L and SW from the unmarked cable across the Loop and the Switch in the pendant
Connect the SW and N from the light and the red marked cable across the Neutral and the Switch in the pendant.

From the picture:
In simple terms move the L from the Red marked cable from the Loop to the Switch in the pendant