Second red 'live' wire in light fitting - what to do?

[slquoue]

I am connecting a new IKEA pendant light in place of an existing light fitting. I have connected the red wire in the ceiling to the brown 'live' terminal in the IKEA fitting, and the black wire in the ceiling to the blue 'neutral' terminal in the IKEA fitting. However, there is an extra exposed red 'live' wire. Should I connect this to the second available 'live' terminal in the IKEA fitting, or leave it loose as I found it?

 

[slquoue]

There are two spots in the IKEA connection. I could either put both red wires into one spot (see the red circle on this picture) or put one red wire into one spot and one red wire into the other spot (shown by the black circle)?

 

[ipf]

Would you put both red wires into the same slot, or use both of the two slots provided (the IKEA fitting has two slots for live and two for neutral, but it only mentions connecting one for each)

View attachment 63666

Separate....use both, they are each one connection for two cables.

 

[westward10]

???? What do you mean exactly? I can't make it out from the pic.

The earths (cpcs) are with the red wires and these are likely to be twisted together in the green tube.

 

[brianmoooore]

The earths (cpcs) are with the red wires and these are likely to be twisted together in the green tube.

You mean it's a twin cable consisting of a red insulated conductor and a uninsulated earth?

 

[ipf]

The earths (cpcs) are with the red wires and these are likely to be twisted together in the green tube.

Yep, proper connection required....and if they're twisted they're weakened. Strip the cable back for more length......carefully.

 

[slquoue]

Update - I connected the second live wire into the second slot. All works, nothing has blown up

 

[westward10]

The earths in that green tube require correct sleeving and connection but I suspect you do not have equipment to do this.

 

[ipf]

You mean it's a twin cable consisting of a red insulated conductor and a uninsulated earth?

Single and earth, you mean.

 

[westward10]

You mean it's a twin cable consisting of a red insulated conductor and a uninsulated earth?

Like this.

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/6241y-1-5mm-brown-50m/cable-6241y-brown-1-50mm-grey/dp/CB15280

 

[brianmoooore]

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/6241y-1-5mm-brown-50m/cable-6241y-brown-1-50mm-grey/dp/CB15280

Never come across anything like that in half a century of being in the business!

 

[ipf]

Never come across anything like that in half a century of being in the business!

Aye, and you introduced 'The Big Match' on ITV in the seventies.

 

[slquoue]

Would you get this replaced in the future? I must admit we've got no idea how old the wiring in the house is - we bought the place this time last year but the previous owner did very little work to it too...

 

[Taylortwocities]

Would you get this replaced in the future? I must admit we've got no idea how old the wiring in the house is - we bought the place this time last year but the previous owner did very little work to it too...

It’s probably serviceable. But nobody can tell by just looking. You could have the installation inspected and get a report on what needs updating.
If the rest of the house is the same age as the cables in your picture, then I would guess there’s quite a bit that needs work.

 

[goasis]

Peoples "have a go" attitudes to electrics never cease to amaze me....
Would you claim to be no expert but decide to have a go at fixing the brakes on your car for example? And just keep experimenting with it until you found a way on making it work?!

 

[brianmoooore]

If the lamp is working (and switching) properly without the mystery red connected, and everything else in the house does as well, then I'd leave it disconnected and insulated, although I'd leave all earths connected together, including the one that is part of this cable, if it's this strange singles + earth stuff.
Connecting the red could be leaving an exposed live cable somewhere.