home Fix label D.I.Y label_important Lighting

how do i wire my light fitting?

have taken old light fitting down. I have three red wires togerther. I have three earth wires together. I have three black wires but one has a small green and yellow sleeve on it! I have put this black wire in with the earth. It lit the fitting but was on when the switch was in the off position, then blew the fuse when moved the switch.Did the same when i put this wire in with the blacks. Now have left it on its own, not connected to anything. Light is on but wont go off. please help a woman on her own.

Brenda, December 2008

home Fix label D.I.Y label_important Lightingdone

Normally a lighting system is wired three plate and would be conncted as follows .the three red cables go into a connector on there own.The black wire with a green sleeve is possibly the switch wire this goes to the brown wire of the fitting the other two black goes to the blue wire on the fitting and the green/yellow goes to the green /yellow

Mike, December 2008

From what you say the special black wire - the one you've left hanging - the one with the green/yellow sleeve on it is the switched live from the wall switch. It should have a sleeve on it and the sleeve should really be Red or Brown but don't take it off - you really need to know about this wire - it's special, scary and dangerous because it looks like a neutral but when the switch is on it's live!

This wire connects on its own with the wire - often Brown- going to the light bulb - just the two together - nothing else.

Three reds together is good - power in - power to next rose and power to the switch.

Two black neutrals together is good - one in and one out to next rose - but they also need to connect to the other side of the light bulb to complete the circuit so you need three wires altogether - the return from the bulb - often blue joins with these two blacks.

On the terminal strip in the ceiling rose you should have:

Three reds together in one block

Two wires Switched live - black with sleeve - and brown to light in one block

Two black neutrals and the blue from the bulb in one block.

The earths all together.

TAKE CARE

Peccavi, December 2008