I have a new light fitting that has the three wires from the multiple light points all identical at the rose fitting (in a transparent sheath). One has a NEUTRAL sticker on, the LIVE stick has become detached and there is no EARTH sticker.
How do I find out which is which? Or do I need to?
Thanks

sjw, August 2009

You have just one light fitting but with six lamps?

The light fitting presents three wires to the outside world?

The wires are not separately identified except for one of them with a Neutral sticker on it - a sticker saying Live has fallen off?

You believe one of the two unidentified wires to be a Live connection and the other to be an Earth conductor?

You wish to discover which of the two unidentified wires is which?

Your new light fitting uses mains voltage?

The new light fitting has a metal shroud that attaches to the ceiling?

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Either engage the services of an electrician or make a continuity check from each of the wires to the lamp holders - a cheap meter with a continuity buzzer might help.

If the lamp holders are screw in type then live will be connected to the centre connector in the holders - check all six. If bayonet type then live will be the the connector pad that is not connected to Neutral - check all six. You should check the third wire and see if it's connected to the regular eath terminal you mention - it may not be because you have an Earth connector in the metal shroud.

It all sounds very unusual so take care... and remember Lord Finchley...

Lord Finchley tried to mend the Electric Light
Himself. It struck him dead: And serve him right!
It is the business of the wealthy man
To give employment to the artisan.

Peccavi, August 2009

Sorry, obviously not very clear.

There are six separate lights with all wiring hidden until they appear in the ceiling rose part. All three wires emerge from a transparent sheath and are all identical. None of the wires are colour coded. One of the wires is identified as Neutral by a sticker, one sticker for Live has become detached and there was no sticker for the Earth. As an aside there is a standard earth wire attached to the metal ceiling rose.
Hope that makes it clearer.

sjw, August 2009

I don't really understand this one, but if the fitting has 3 separate lamps, then each lamp holder will have 1 neutral (blue) wire and 1 live (brown) wire going to it. These will all be tied together in the ceiling rose part, and the earth will be separate.

John, August 2009