No lights help!!!!!!

[vikingbobw]

Hi all. I'm new to electrics so am really tearing my hair out trying to find a fault and I'm hoping that with all the knowledge and experience on here a solution can be found. Here goes:

I have two lights in seperate rooms that will not work. I have so far changed the bulbs, changed the fuses and checked with a mains voltage tester to see that power is going to the switches and the bulb socket, it is. Now if power is going to the switch and the light fitting it can only be the bulb, right? Well as you see I have already checked and changed them. Everything else in the house is fine including the sockets in those rooms.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

 

[acat]

Have you checked that supply is reaching the terminals in the light and are these two lights the last in the circuit. Have you checked that the switchs themselves are actually working. Have you taken a bulb from another room that you know is working and tried it in these two lights then returned it to its origianl light fitting and checked that it is still working.

Chris

 

[vikingbobw]

Hi Chris and thanks for getting back to me. Well I have checked that the power is getting to the switch by testing the wires in the switch with the mains voltage tester and it reads 12v on both live and neutral. I have done the same with the pins in the light fitting and they read the same. I believe that is how it's checked (from my DIY book), is it.

Bob

 

[vikingbobw]

Oh and I believe they are not the last two in the circuit

Bob

 

[chloebear]

Just a thought - what kind of voltage tester did you use? pen or meter?

 

[chloebear]

12 Volts?????????????

 

[bugsy]

Have you tested the neutral return path ( voltage test at fitting across live and neutral )

 

[Des 56]

What do you mean by a mains voltage tester
One of those screwdriver things that light up using the human body as part of the test instrument ( neon screwdriver)
or an approved voltage tester that measures potential difference between two points of a circuit ?

It is important to know before giving an answer

 

[vikingbobw]

Hi everyone, Woaw now I'm confused as an amature should be. The tester I used was one which is a pen type I suppose and has two buttons on it that are marked 'Direct Test' and another, 'Break point test'. I also have a screwdriver one which I was unhappy about pushing into a socket. Am I dicing with death or do they just not give any useful readings?

I don't like the 12v???????????? bit either, please tell me there's no huge problem

Bob

 

[acat]

From what has been said it sounds as if your red/brown cable is ok but you may have a break in the black/blue cable. If the lights are the last two in the circuit then the break is between those two and the next one in line that is working correctly.


Chris

 

[vikingbobw]

Chris, I get that but is it possible for the next in line to work if there is a break between it and the two duds?

Bob

 

[vikingbobw]

Thanks Bugsy, the neutral return path test? I take it that is placing the tester across the terminals but can that be done with what I have or do I need something else?

Bob

 

[chloebear]

First problem could be the tester you are using - first check would be to check the tester against a known working circuit and check the readings - shouldbe 230v ish.

Next piece of advice is the really good one - if your not sure about the electrics, go find someone qualified who is - just remember that when this stuff bites it bites HARD. Well worth spending a few quid, rather than having a nasty experience.

 

[bugsy]

Thanks Bugsy, the neutral return path test? I take it that is placing the tester across the terminals but can that be done with what I have or do I need something else?

Bob

If you have a test meter or voltage testers yes Live and neutral at the ceiling rose

 

[Des 56]

Dont use one of those screwdriver things to test a for a circuit fault

The likely problem would seem to be a loss of neutral (black or blue) from one of the lights,it may be a light that is working fine that has the lost connection

Take out the neutrals and check connections