Advice outside light

[ste6085]

Hi could anyone offer some advice please

I had a latern outside with pir, I was having some work done and needed to take it down quickly so removed the wires, pulled them back into the garage and placed them into a junction box and tucked them away.

There were:
Black red and earth plus
Black and earth
4 in total (earths combined)

These wires come from a switch in the house and from memory (tho was 4 yrs ago) I think you might have been able to use the lamp as a pir security light or manual ( but not that sure now . )

I have bought a standard pir security light but when I have tested the wires before connecting two show as 12v one as nothing plus the earths ??

I cannot be sure but I'd be very surprised if there is a transformer anywhere as the cables as predominantly sunk into the walls

Any ideas ?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

you have tested with power on?
and what instrument did you test with?

 

[ste6085]

Yeah power on I used a small screwdriver tester, I have connected the light to the two 12v cables but doesn't work

 

[Taylortwocities]

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Feb 2009
• 20

Do this with that screwdriver and go and get a multimeter, or a two probe voltage indicator. You won't find anything with one of those things.

PS they are useless as a screwdriver too.


Post a picture of the wiring at the switch that operates the light, that might (might) help

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Yeah power on I used a small screwdriver tester

Oh dear you will have the neon screwdriver police out, oh I see they already are! I use mine to mash the tea!
As above post, you require an approved voltage indicator, not something that is going to give misleading readings and may kill you!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

How does a "small screwdriver tester" "show" 12V?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Its a very accurate screwdriver. Maybe it torques too

 

[ste6085]

It says 12v lol

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Between which two points is it measuring 12V?

 

[ste6085]

I will need to re check this but I'm sure black cable was 12v all time and red 12v when switched on.

I had an electrician put some halogen down lighters in my bedroom next door to this light, I'm wondering if he has used low voltage, I remember him saying he had put a junction box in loft due to the volume of cables in one light.

The only thing that makes me confused further is the switch is a double one for porch light one for garage pir the porch is still working at 240, can one switch deliver two different voltages ??

I'd get him back but have had loft insulated and would rather nit disturb

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm sure black cable was 12v all time

12V between that conductor and what?

and red 12v when switched on.

12V between that conductor and what?

You can't just "have 12V" - voltage always has to be between two points.

I'm wondering if he has used low voltage,

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:voltage-bands

The only thing that makes me confused further is the switch is a double one for porch light one for garage pir the porch is still working at 240, can one switch deliver two different voltages ??

A switch doesn't generate any voltage - whatever you put into it is what you get out.

It beggars belief that an electrician would switch the ELV output of a lighting power supply.

I'd get him back but have had loft insulated and would rather nit disturb

Well I think you're going to need an electrician - you're a bit out of your depth.