Installing a ceiling light...but there the wiring is dead

chippy1966 · 2 Jan 2008

Hi

We currently have a candle chandelier in our bedroom as the previous occupent had a similar setup. We have decided to put an electric light back on the ceiling and we took down the plaster rose that was up there, and luckily the electric wiring was still there.

However, my father in law tested it and it appears dead! Any suggestions?

Is it likely the cabling has been disconnected? The wiring looks relatively new.

Thanks

sparkybird · 2 Jan 2008

Hi chippy

How many cables have you got at the lighting point? If more than 1 set of 3 (live, neutral and earth) then at least 1 of them should be live as it should be fed from another lighting point.

If only one, try looking in the switch as this might have been disconnected.

How is the testing being carried out (neon screwdrivers aren't the best things).

If it has been disconnected elsewhere, you'll have to start taking up a few floorboard I'm afraid

SB

JohnD · 2 Jan 2008

How was it tested? If you say "with a neon screwdriver" then go out and buy a Multimeter in the high street for about £10

When did it last work?

What have you altered since it last worked? Have you altered lighting in any other rooms or fittings?

Did you make a diagram and careful notes of all the old wires before disconnecting them?

chippy1966 · 2 Jan 2008

Hi

There are 2 sheaths, each with a red and black wire. The testing was done with a electrical tester.

The switch was tested and seems fine.

We moved in a couple of years ago and the candle chanedelier was already there, so we have no idea of the electrics history

mdbalson · 2 Jan 2008

JohnD said:
When did it last work?
What have you altered since it last worked? Have you altered lighting in any other rooms or fittings?

Did you make a diagram and careful notes of all the old wires before disconnecting them?

John D, chippy1966 said:

chippy1966 said:
Hi

We currently have a candle chandelier in our bedroom as the previous occupent had a similar setup.

so he will not know when the light last worked, & what wire went where.

To chippy1966

How many cables are there at the light, & what colours are each wire.

As has been said before you may have to go up in the loft & see if you can , find the cable for your bedroom light, & follow it to check if the other end of it is connected.

JohnD · 2 Jan 2008

do you mean the room was lit by candles and not by electric light? I had assumed you mean an electric ceiling lamp in the style of a chandelier.

chippy1966 · 2 Jan 2008

we have 2 side lamps from the sockets, but yes, the chandelier was a real candle one.

Other slight problem....we are a first floor flat....so floor boards upstairs are below a carpet!!

Adam_151 · 2 Jan 2008

JohnD said:
do you mean the room was lit by candles and not by electric light? I had assumed you mean an electric ceiling lamp in the style of a chandelier.

I understood that he meant former, if you are a bit supprised at this, then clearly you have escaped the worst of the "renovate a room for fifty quid" tv programs...

Arty farty design 'consulant' pulling a scrapped chandelier fitting from a skip down the road, chopping off the cables on it, scraying it some arwful colour, and jamming candles in the baynout lamp sockets...
*throws up*

sparkybird · 2 Jan 2008

Hopefully then you have determined which of the two cables go to the switch. The other one should carry an neutral and permanent live from another lighting point. I'm afraid you'll have to do what I'd have to do - take up that carpet and follow the cable!

SB

bernardgreen · 2 Jan 2008

If there is no supply at the rose then it MAY have been dis-connected at the loop plate (teminal) in another rose in another room. Worth looking at other roses to see if there is a disconnected cable in (or near) the rose.

Taylortwocities · 2 Jan 2008

Is this a rented property? If so then I'll bet your tenancy agreement doesnt let you do this.....

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Installing a ceiling light...but there the wiring is dead

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