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Trying to completely re-roof my shed - going to use Onduline for the back end and some transparent PVC sheets for the front (to get some light in). It's approx 3500mm wide x 5100mm long (approx 12' x 17') I'm just trying to work out how many sheets I'll need. How much overlap do you...

Thanks again, everyone, for your ongoing assistance. I might be a few days sorting this one - getting the boards up in the loft is not going to be quite so easy as it sounds. By the way, yes, the light bulb is functioning (when it's not in the light fitting).

It is a volt stick (glows neon red) but I've given it back now. So I need a mains tester instead, right? The more this goes on, the more I'm thinking it's time for professional help - i.e. I need a qualified electrician! With all the right equipment, I reckon this job should take little more...

Uhuh, that the T&E that appears at the fitting. The single is chopped off, but it doesn't read as live with the pen tester.

Hi securespark, so you mean the two red and brown should all go into common on the switch? I've been up in the loft and the situation is not great. One of the reds leading to the light is loose, but fortunately it's not live. But the loft floor is boarded up, so to get to the other wires, I'd...

Wires at switch concealed beneath boards and heaps of accumulated junk - such is modern living. Do I clear out the crap and break up the boards to get at the wires? Why aren't houses built with more storage spaces? Why do we have to live in tiny cramped houses not fit for a family of rodents...

Only one red leading to the light - not live. Does the T&E only go from here to the light switch? Hopefully not, but how can I ever know? The wires run under boards that have been nailed firmly down.

Thanks again, securespark. Yes, the light always used to work fine - until the last week or so when I found I had to tap it to get it to illuminate - so there is clearly a problem with the connection there. I'm not going to be able to go up to the loft till later this afternoon, so I'll keep you...

If you refer back to the photo of the light, Rocky, it appears to be earthed, doesn't it? (the unsleeved wire just visible at the back of the fitting).

Thanks again everyone for your very useful information. Phew, it seems I've got my work cut out with this one - and there I was thinking it would be oh-so-simple. I'll report back tomorrow to avoid any mishaps in the loft!

Good question - I hadn't thought of that - the light fitting might not be working. I'm being dim again now, sorry, but how would I put an independent supply to it?

I think you could be right. That rings a bell somehow. I remember when we moved into this place that an electrician mentioned something along those lines. So now that I've (apparently) identified the live, can you remind me which wire goes where in the switch - i.e. which goes into the common...

Can't go into the loft tonight - it might wake the baby up and I'd get a right ear bashing (from the wife).

Right, I've located the live feed with the pen tester. It's one of the reds (in the grey cable). Oddly, it doesn't detect live in the brown - only that one red. So how should I now proceed?

OK, thanks for that piece of advice - much appreciated. I'll do the test and (assuming I'm still alive) give you a shout before I embark on the next stage of this exciting odyssey into the unknown.

Hi, yep, tried that last night - still nothing. But I've borrowed an electric pen tester from a friend which glows red when a live feed is detected. This will solve my problem won't it? I'll be able to identify which one of those two reds is the live.

So, anyway, where have we got to with this? If you were the electrician faced with this task and you didn't have your multimeter on you, what would you do next?

Thanks securespark, that's really useful. It sounds like a job for a qualified electrician, since I don't have a multimeter. Can I just confirm though - are you suggesting I put all three wires (brown and two reds) into common? I could try that and if that fails put all three into L1 -...

I've uploaded two more pics - shows you the wires to the light and the old PIR sensor blocks. Nope, haven't tried adding the brown to the two red - so should they all go into L2?

Supposed to sense movement, but seems to have a mind of its own. Made in China on the cheap. Finally dismantled after delivering two years of constant mental torture.