Pair Wall Lights - Switch has 3 sets of Wires

alibabe1 · 9 Apr 2010

Hi,

Had some decorating done recently and the wall switch was taken off and wires covered up (no note of where they were previously wired in switch!). I have just installed a new pair of wall lights on the wall.

Trying to wire back into the switch - which connects a pair of wall lights.
There are 3 sets of wires - each set with a Black, Red and Earth wire.

Have attached all 3 reds to the 'L' and all 3 blacks to the 'N' in the switch (earths were already covered up and attached to the metal casing so havent been touched). Currently one wall light is on constantly (whether switch is on or off) and the other won't come on at all.

Obviously one is permanently connected to live - but not sure what to try and I am a bit confused that the 2nd won't come on at all (and hope it's just my wiring skills

)

Can anyone help?

Johnmelad502 · 9 Apr 2010

alibabe1 said:
Hi,

Had some decorating done recently and the wall switch was taken off and wires covered up (no note of where they were previously wired in switch!). I have just installed a new pair of wall lights on the wall.

Trying to wire back into the switch - which connects a pair of wall lights.
There are 3 sets of wires - each set with a Black, Red and Earth wire.

Have attached all 3 reds to the 'L' and all 3 blacks to the 'N' in the switch (earths were already covered up and attached to the metal casing so havent been touched). Currently one wall light is on constantly (whether switch is on or off) and the other won't come on at all.

Obviously one is permanently connected to live - but not sure what to try and I am a bit confused that the 2nd won't come on at all (and hope it's just my wiring skills )

Can anyone help?

Have a look in the Wiki, the answer to your problem will be there.

securespark · 9 Apr 2010

A bit of a clue would be nice.

How many gangs did the switch have?

Were both fittings switched individually?

Personally, I would lay the problem at the door of the person who took the switch off.

alibabe1 · 10 Apr 2010

Hi, Its a 1 gang - both lights are switched on with the same switch.

bongos · 10 Apr 2010

alibabe1 said:
Have attached all 3 reds to the 'L' and all 3 blacks to the 'N' in the switch (earths were already covered up and attached to the metal casing so havent been touched).

There will not be a neutral at the switch. You have common (permanent live to switch) and L1 etc (switched live returning to the fitting).

It is possible with what you describe that the neutrals are looped in at the backbox (must not be connected to the switch) and that in the switch you have a live loop in/out (into common) and a switched live onto the fittings.

The earths must be connected to the switch earth terminal if it is metal. If it is plastic then they should be terminated in the backbox.

I think it would be a good idea to have a look in the wiki at how a lighting circuit works. Draw out what you have at each fitting/switch and work it out from there.

You may need to get yourself a multimeter to sort out this problem. Do not use a neon screwdriver! They are crap...

ColJack · 10 Apr 2010

this problem needs a photo to help us diagnose.

1john · 10 Apr 2010

have you got a multimeter and some connector blocks ?

ban-all-sheds · 10 Apr 2010

alibabe1 said:
Have attached all 3 reds to the 'L' and all 3 blacks to the 'N' in the switch

Have you really got a switch with L & N terminals?

How many terminals?

geraint · 10 Apr 2010

have you REALLY got any qualifications in electrical work... if so.... what are they...

ban-all-sheds · 10 Apr 2010

I don't think he really needs any in order to remove and replace light switches, does he?

geraint · 10 Apr 2010

i was actually talking to you....

ColJack · 10 Apr 2010

and who rattled your cage?

BAS has more electrical regs knowhow than a lot of the so called "professionals" that post on here

geraint · 10 Apr 2010

know how..... very good. lots of qualifications in that.... and i may add.. who rattled yours.....

ColJack · 10 Apr 2010

you did by attacking one of the regulars for no particular reason..

you don't get "friendly ribbing" privileges until you post count is over 3000 in a particular field of expertise..

geraint · 10 Apr 2010

by asking to qualify his answers with qualifications is not attacking...

and who gave you the right to quantify rights on a forum....

how can you have a field of expertice with no qualifications....

does your post count make you a better or more qualified person or maybe it makes you feel it....

diynot

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Pair Wall Lights - Switch has 3 sets of Wires

Johnmelad502

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