I have a new ceiling light from IKea that I'm trying to fit. The wire coming from my ceiling are 2 x red, 1 x Black with red sleeve on, 1 x black and 1 x green/yellow. There are four inputs to the connector block in the light I'm trying to fit. 2 holes to live and two to neutral. I assume I have to insulate the earth wire and this just sits inside the fitting not connected to anything, but where do I place the remaining four wires? I have tried a couple of combinations and managed to get the light to come on, but then I can't get it to turn off at the switch. Any answer gratefully received.

Sam Campbell, September 2008

black with red sheath is switched live there should also be a earth lead and a red

sveee, August 2013

I am having the same problem with an IKEA ceiling light. Usually, lights are on a lighting circuit so there is a live and neutral coming in from the previous light in the room next door, then another pair going off to the light in the next room. There are then 2 wires from the light switch, a live and a black one taped red. Usually light fittings have 3 holes to connect stuff to, the problem with this IKEA one is it only has 2. The instruction diagram is only showing 3 wires, one L, one N and one earth, which would never happen! I suspect the only way to do it is get a connector and put the lives that would usually go in the missing middle hole together in the ceiling rather than in the fitting. Does anyone else have any other ideas?

Jay, October 2008

One of the reds is a mains spur (Perm. Live) Test it with a mains tester.
The other red is the live feed to the switch. Both of the reds go into one terminal.
The black with a red sleeve is the return switched live wire which goes to the live feed for your lamp.
The black wire is the neutral for your lamp.
The green/yellow is the earth which must be connected to the lamp if it has metal fittings.

Cledlyn, September 2008