Thanks, I'll come back.
Switch wire. 2 of 3 are live!
- Thread starter Riki
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- switched wire
This is the result of the test: (circuit de-energized and switches on) in Room 1 the connections are correct, the red wires and the switched live wire have continuity (beep). However, in Room 2 none of the 3 black wires have continuity with the reds, i.e. no switched live wire. What next? What to look for now?
An electrician?
Either
- you're doing it wrong
- the switch or something is damaged.
Damage is a possibility; if you had previously wired it wrongly then you might have short-circuited the switch, causing it to fail.
Remove the switch from the wall. Check for continuity across its terminals with it on and off. If you get no continuity when it's on then the switch is damaged and will have to be replaced.\
Good point. I'll check the switch.
Checked the switch. No joy. No continuity in OFF but continuity in ON.
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Perhaps, but I am not giving up just yet.
Checked the switch. No joy. No continuity in OFF but continuity in ON.
So either:
The wire's not correctly connected to the switch
The wire's broken
The wire is not one of the three at the ceiling rose
The wire is not connected to the terminal block properly at the ceiling rose
You made a mistake while checking continuity at the ceiling rose.
The wire's not correctly connected to the switch
The wire's broken
The wire is not one of the three at the ceiling rose
The wire is not connected to the terminal block properly at the ceiling rose
You made a mistake while checking continuity at the ceiling rose.
Had a closer look and discovered that the black wire in the switch was covered with green gunge; cleaned with meths, cut and stripped fresh end and now I am getting the switched live black wire on the rose. Will wire again tomorrow, time for dinner. Watch this space! Hope it works this time.
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We've had goo in some sockets over the years that have been cleaned. Emptying the house for a rewire is not something we will consider unless absolutely necessary.
Still no luck after checking all switches (with multimeter). All I am getting is a flickering light (when I touch the bulb) in Room 2 and not even that on the other lights affected, all dead. Room 1 still OK together with entrance lights, lounge/dining and kitchen. 8 lights working, 10 not. No change.
The mind boggles. Flickering light when you touch it? Loose wire (or just possibly a bulb about to give up the ghost). Fix that before something sets on fire. The other lights are out because your rewiring, presumably of lamp 2, is incorrect and all the other lights are now connected to the switched live in lamp 2, or perhaps the neutral to the lamp return. Or maybe the live wire isn't even in the block properly, I see metal sticking out in pic 2. Green goo on one wire suggests it may be on others, possibly on connections that are not as obviously visible as a light switch on the wall. Have you fixed the connections on lamp 1 yet? This is why everyone is frustrated and snapping at you, you keep skipping merrily over things that are at best dodgy and at worst dangerous.
1. Bulb OK. Tried with other bulbs just in case.
2. No loose wires, all checked. Rose and switches.
3. Lamp 2 rewiring is correct: 3 reds, 1 switched live, 2 neutral and 3 earth. Continuity OK.
4. Re metal sticking out on a red wire is because the insulation is short. Was like that before I started messing with the wiring.
5. Green goo. Checked switches, nothing. (In any case, apart from unsightly if it's severe, I have read that it doesn't affect the flow).
6. We have no wall lights.
7. Lamp 1. Fix the connections? I don't see anything wrong. Can you please be more specific?
8. Skipping merrily? Why say that? I am trying my best following instructions and tips from you all.
Appreciate your help.
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I think this fairly major mistake is one of the reasons why some of the replies have been "unfriendly".
Looking at the terminal block in your "room 1" photo in post #28, what would you call each of the four connections, from left to right?
First: live
Second: ???
Third: ???
Fourth: earth
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