Only blue wires connected to my light

[derekbee]

Hi All

Belated Happy Chritsmas... I'm new to this forum.

I usually take a photo of any electrics before proceeding. Having changed many lights in the past, I stupidly didn't take one today for a ceiling light swap.

Here is the problem:

I connected brown to brown on the light, blue to blue and tripped my fuse when I switched the light OFF. Odd right! Whats more odd is the the light switch was in the OFF position and the celing light was on/lit. I then began asking myself why all of the brown wires were all in 1 connector block (just connected to each other) and only blue wires connected to the light prior to my starting this job.

My issue is that I do not remember which blue wires were connected to each other in the connecter block then into the light itself and which single blue cable went direct to the light.

Image 1 shows the current cables coming out of my ceiling (3 blue, 3 brown and 3 ground),

Image 2 shows the light in the room next door which is an identical light to the one I removed and appears identically wired.

I guess I need to figure out which blue wire should go directly to the the light as a Live and the remaining 2 blue wires into the light via a connector block. Should I buy a multimeter for a continuity test?

Sorry for the rambling.

Can anyone help?

 

[CountryFan]

Is one not a live and switched live? It does seem odd to trip when turned off.

 

[pete01]

If I had to guess I'd say the top of the page blue is the switched live and the lower two are the neutrals (only because of the side of the connector the browns are connected)

But you really need to test first.

 

[derekbee]

Is one not a live and switched live? It does seem odd to trip when turned off.

Hi Stuckinarut

I guess it is a switched live, but how can I work out which of the 3 blue wires in my celing is the switched Live?

 

[derekbee]

If I had to guess I'd say the top of the page blue is the switched live and the lower two are the neutrals (only because of the side of the connector the browns are connected)

But you really need to test first.

Hi Pete

Thanks your help. Would it be wise for me to put a multimeter on the single blue and one of the ones in room 1 to see if it is the same cable? I'll have to use an old speaker cable to bridge the gap between both rooms

 

[CountryFan]

Hi Stuckinarut

I guess it is a switched live, but how can I work out which of the 3 blue wires in my celing is the switched Live?

I would say continuity testing is required

 

[pete01]

Put your meter between brown and blue sets until the switch makes it bleep on and off that will be the sw live.

All with the power off obviously

 

[derekbee]

So meter should be, 1 on blue and 1 on brown until meter beeps (set to continuety mode)? If it does not beep, leave it on brown and move ti another blue?

 

[pete01]

No blue and browns coming from grey sheathing, test them in sets.

No continuity on one set move the next.

 

[derekbee]

No blue and browns coming from grey sheathing, test them in sets.

No continuity on one set move the next.

None of my cables have a grey sheath?

 

[SUNRAY]

So meter should be, 1 on blue and 1 on brown until meter beeps (set to continuety mode)? If it does not beep, leave it on brown and move ti another blue?

No, disconnect the 3 browns and test each cable in turn for continuity with the switch turned on, if more than one cable gives continuity then flick the switch of and on to identify which.

White sheaths

 

[pete01]

They are all grey painted white

 

[derekbee]

No blue and browns coming from grey sheathing, test them in sets.

No continuity on one set move the next.

So I test this set (see image) then the next set etc (with fuse and light switched off). When I hear the buzz for continuity, that is the blue wire I should use as my Live into the ceiling light?

My multimeter image attached.

Btw.... appreciate everyones help. I feel like a fool having not taken a photo prior to starting. Just lucky I have the same set up in the next room.

 

[pete01]

You need to turn the dial the opposite way.

Test a set and switch the switch on and off to make sure you've got the right one then the brown will go with the other browns and the blue will be switched live, mark it brown so this doesn't happen again.

 

[derekbee]

You need to turn the dial the opposite way.

Test a set and switch the switch on and off to make sure you've got the right one then the brown will go with the other browns and the blue will be switched live, mark it brown so this doesn't happen again.

Thank you Pete! I'll let you know how I get on.

Just to be sure... do all of this with the fuse switched off to stay safe?