wiring a cupboard light

fraserrobyn · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:01 pm Post Subject: wiring a cupboard light

i am wiring a cupboard light from existing switch in lobby ,the switch has 3 cables and an earth ,does my new light have to have as many cables. thanks :

Taylortwocities · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:04 pm Post Subject:

You will not be able to wire your cupboard light from the switch. There is no neutral there.
You will need to pick up live, neutral and earth from the lighting circuit - usually this can be found at a ceiling light.

This is not what you want to hear.

If lifting floorboards and chiseling out your walls isnt part of your plan then the next best option is to add a 3A fused spur to a nearby socket and power your lights from there.

__________________
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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. - F.D.R.

fraserrobyn · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:17 am Post Subject: cupboard light

surely one of the 3 wires in the switch is a neg

Steve · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:25 am Post Subject: Re: cupboard light

fraserrobyn wrote:

surely one of the 3 wires in the switch is a neg

No. Why would you connect a NEUTRAL to a switch? A switch simply makes or breaks a contact between 2 wires. If the 2 wires are live and neutral, what happens when you make the contact? BANG!

I suggest you get an electrician to do this work for you. The phrase "does my new light have to have as many cables" does not inspire confidence in your ability to do this work.

If you do wish to do this work yourself, please study at great length the diagrams in our wiki, in particular:
http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:single_way_lighting
http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:lighting_circuit_layouts
Before you do any work on your lighting circuit, please make certain you understand what exactly you are doing, and NOTE WHAT GOES WHERE. A good 20% of posts on here are from people who didnt.

aptsys · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:03 am Post Subject:

There may be a neutral in the switch if the loop exists in the switch rather than at the ceiling rose. It sounds like this may be the case if you really meant there were three cables at the switch rather than three wires

Post a picture if you can

fraserrobyn · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:14 am Post Subject: cupboard light

hi cant send picture at this time but i have 4 wires coming into switch blue onto L2 yellow onto L1and red onto the top with the earth onto back plate thanks

aptsys · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:15 am Post Subject:

In that case, there is no neutral available at the switch.

fraserrobyn · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:24 am Post Subject: cupboard light

thanks everyone

now 2 plan b can i take the light from a socket nearby with a switch inline with alight on one end and fused plug on other