Help with Ceiling light (looping circuit)

[kevg487]

I bought 3 lights at the weekend and fitted the first two no problems.

I get to the 3rd and discover there are more cables than the 1st two, i realise this is a looping circuit, this fitting has 2 blacks, 3 reds and the earth.

My new light only has space for 3 wires so what do i do with the 2 spare? i realise these have a purpose probably for the switch but i dont have not much know how of electrics.

Any help would greatly appreciated.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

[wiki]Electrics%3ALighting[/wiki]

2 blacks & 3 reds is unusual - you'll need to look at how the existing light is connected up to determine what is neutral and what is switched live, and the others should all be kept connected to each other as they are now. Assuming it all currently works as it should.

You may need some extra connectors, e.g.

Is there spare space inside the light?

 

[kevg487]

Thanks for the quick reply, unfortunately the wires have been disconnected from the existing fitting but i had taken a picture before this. i know now ill need to try and locate the switched live and keep this separate.

ive attached a photo of the old fitting and the new connection

Thanks again

 

[kevg487]

Anyone know how i can get the switched live into that new light fitting ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Thanks for the quick reply, unfortunately the wires have been disconnected from the existing fitting but i had taken a picture before this.

Did you take that photo part-way through disconnecting?

this fitting has 2 blacks, 3 reds and the earth

I can see 3?

i know now ill need to try and locate the switched live and keep this separate.

Easy enough with the power off, and a multimeter.

Anyone know how i can get the switched live into that new light fitting ?

Via the same path as the N & E. Not sure what you think will be a problem....

 

[kevg487]

no, the photo was taken before any wires were disconnected, only 2 on the black wires were connected. so we have 3 red and 3 black. The issue we had was that we tried to wire them 3 black into neutral, 3 red into live and E to E. The light had power but the switch didn't work.

Sorry for my lack of know how here. this is probably simple to you.

 

[kevg487]

ive sussed itt and got it working. wired them up L N E and put the other 2 live into a terminal block. thanks for your help