Problem with light switch inversely effecting nightstand lights

[willinliv]

Hi All,

Replaced an electric chandelier type ceiling light for new GF in bedroom. To replace, isolated upstairs lights at CU, went into loft and located junction box that light fitting connected into. From memory juntion box has three junction blocks two black and red, and a seperate ground terminal block. When came to connecting new light fitting discovered I'd losened all three of the junction block screws not just the ones that had to be undone, so put in red and guessed the black. Light didn't come on at first, so isolating again switched to other black and light now works via correct switch.

However after couple of days received a report that the two night stand lights either side of bed (each with own pull string on fitting), only come on if the main ceiling light is turned off. In fact she found that the bulbs slight glow but only come on fully if the main light is off. So it seems that the switch to the main light is inversely effecting the other lights.

Obviously should have taken a picture before I began but didn't. Getting access again tomorrow am. Looking through the lighting diagrams for loop in and lighting via junction boxes. Any body got any pointers from the above to suggest what might be wrong? Obviously I should have got someone in..

Thanks, Will

 

[EFLImpudence]

I didn't really understand your description.

However - a picture of all the wires in the junction box would be good - saying where the cables go if you know.

 

[Robin0577]

Sounds as if you have accidentally wired your new light in series with the bedside lights.

THIS CAN ONLY BE CONFIRMED BY PROPER TESTING, but if your existing wiring is conventional, it's likely you should have used both blacks, one of which will be a switched live, the other a neutral, and not connected anything to the reds (permanent live).

 

[willinliv]

Sounds as if you have accidentally wired your new light in series with the bedside lights.

THIS CAN ONLY BE CONFIRMED BY PROPER TESTING, but if your existing wiring is conventional, it's likely you should have used both blacks, one of which will be a switched live, the other a neutral, and not connected anything to the reds (permanent live).

Thanks both for getting back to me with your suggestions. Got it working this am, and it was as you said: I reconnected her bedside lights accidentally to the switched live rather than permanent (they've got their own pull switches within light fitting). Reconnected to permanent and now working correctly when they should. Some pics attached before and after.

Thanks, Will

 

[securespark]

I know you did not fit that junction box, but it could do with being replaced with one that has more terminals and the cables properly terminated inside.

 

[John D v2.0]

Agree with secure spark, shouldn't really have any unsheathed wires visible outside and everything should be clipped.
Also block the hole into the room- if that's a hole from the loft to the bedroom, it would be sensible to fill it so that the warm damp air doesn't get pushed into the loft due to the chimney effect.

 

[willinliv]

Seems sensible enough. Hopefully I've but burned too many bridges from this bit DIy?

 

[Adam_151]

In both of the pictures it looks like one side of the new centre fitting is connected to permanant live and the other to switched live? which would explain the original problem, but one would expect tht now the feed to the wll lights have been move off the switch live, that the centre light would no longer work, dispite being live at all times

 

[SUNRAY]

Is it just me?

I think I see 4 wires, one of which has a yellow? Tracer and it looks like it goes to L and not to the earth.

I wonder if the light is actually connected between SL and E and even worse the exposed metal connected to LIVE?


eDIT: The more I think about this, I don't see any other explanation .

 

[FrodoOne]

I think I see 4 wires, one of which has a yellow? Tracer and it looks like it goes to L and not to the earth.

I wonder if the light is actually connected between SL and E and even worse the exposed metal connected to LIVE?


eDIT: The more I think about this, I don't see any other explanation .

Agree, except that I only see three "clear insulated" wires. One of these appears to have a yellow stripe in one picture and a green stripe in the other ??

Also the junction box is not screwed down.

 

[SUNRAY]

Agree, except that I only see three "clear insulated" wires. One of these appears to have a yellow stripe in one picture and a green stripe in the other ??

Also the junction box is not screwed down.

On my IPad they both look the same colour. My question is: what is the yellow or green striped wire for?

I'll bet Will will get a belt if he touches the metalwork.

 

[SUNRAY]

Does anyone remember a thread a short while back quoting wire colours for IKEA fittings?