Identifying switched live in ceiling rose

[QuestionQuigley]

I'm about to replace a light with an old-style ceiling rose with a modern fitting. Before taking the old one down I want to identify the switched live wire, which has not been marked.

Looking at this photo, am I correct in thinking that the black wire on the right must be the switched live as it is "on its own", i.e. it is only connected to the light, not to any other wires going into the ceiling?

OldRose

• QuestionQuigley
• 1 May 2021

 

[JohnW2]

Looking at this photo, am I correct in thinking that the black wire on the right must be the switched live as it is "on its own", i.e. it is only connected to the light, not to any other wires going into the ceiling?

Yes, that is correct. If it were not the 'switched live', the light would not be able to come 'on' (or 'off') when one wanted it to

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

Yes, it's the black on it's own.

As long as you mark it or remember it, you can't go far wrong.

 

[AndyPRK]

Paint it or tipex it or put red or brown tape round it

 

[SUNRAY]

Thank you for asking before making the mistake so many make.

 

[333rocky333]

As marks dont easily show on the black, mark the paired Red that goes with it too, or the white sheathing as back up

 

[Sureitsoff?]

i use a small cable tie to mark switched lives in this situation, sleeving has been known to fall off DAMHIKT........

 

[AndyPRK]

Exactly.

marking the white sheath with S for switch is also a good tip.

 

[JohnW2]

marking the white sheath with S for switch is also a good tip.

... provided one has a good enough memory - or, at least, a well-established convention which one doesn't forget ("S for Supply" comes to mind)

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

You can mark yours SW John

 

[SUNRAY]

i use a small cable tie to mark switched lives in this situation, sleeving has been known to fall off DAMHIKT........

I find cable ties, no matter how small, tend to get in the way when threading or unthreading the splayed cables in cable entries.

I favour sharpie pen/tippex/paint etc on sheath and both live wires.

 

[JohnW2]

You can mark yours SW John

You're a bit late in giving me that advice - that is precisely what I have been doing for very many years (possibly since before you were born!)

Kind Regards, John