Dim lights & messed up switches

phil1664 · 19 Aug 2009

I removed the kitchen light today as I'm installing a new ceiling. After fitting a new temporary light rose with single bulb, the breaker blew. I removed the new fitting and when I set the breaker again, the following happened:

2 x Hall lights, on a 2-switch circuit, now work on a single switch
Bathroom switch also activates the hall lights
2 x bedroom lights do not work
all lights, except the living room, are dim, around half power!

I've checked the lamps, all in working order & still getting 240v across the switches & light fittings.

I gather I've got an earth somewhere but as to where. I have no idea!! Any thoughts??

Cheers

Taylortwocities · 19 Aug 2009

You are right, you have no idea!

You did not wire the temporary rose properly.

See here for how to do it

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:lighting_circuit_layouts

spark1 · 19 Aug 2009

Phil it sounds as though you have incorrect wiring at the light you are working on...more info needed about this wiring . Have you got maybe 3 reds- 3blacks + 3 green/yellows..if not what is there.?

ColJack · 20 Aug 2009

need a lot more info..
what wires do you have where..

a picture of the new rose would help..

phil1664 · 20 Aug 2009

OK, apologies for the diagrams, but here's what I have.

Ceiling wiring

phil1664
20 Aug 2009
1

Switch wiring

phil1664
20 Aug 2009
1

I have 240V across Red 2 & Black 2
I get 240V from Red 2 to any Earth
I have 125V from Red 2 to both Red1 & Black 1.
I get nothing at all on the 3rd set of wires

At the switch, I have no voltage as the light fitting is not attached.
I will assume that the yellow & blue go to a secondary switch somewhere, but I don't have one, so they must be dead wires somewhere!

Does this help?

Thanks,

ColJack · 20 Aug 2009

turn the power off, and switch the switch on ans see which red and black has continuity..

that's the switch cable..

then wire as follows..

View media item 13604
the left hand cable in my picture is the switch wire.

phil1664 · 20 Aug 2009

ColJack,

I was doing just that after I posted the wiring diagram, and have now sorted it. Simple schoolboy error of not making a note of which wires went where!!

As it was, Red2 & Black 2 were the live feed on the circuit, Red 3 & Black 3 are the switch circuit and Red 1 & Black 1 are the continuation to the next light. As such, I've now got them wired up correctly and all my lights are working again!

Thanks to you guys for the help, much appreciated.

Phil

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Dim lights & messed up switches

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