Ceiling light- 3 sets of wires to fit into 1 set light

LouiseE · 4 Dec 2022

Hi, I have changed lights before but I must have gotten lucky as this has stumped me.

I have seen some other similar posts for not ones with the same combination of sheathed/unsheathed wires. I have also looked through the wiki pages but am still quite confused. Any advice?

Sureitsoff? · 4 Dec 2022

is the first pic what is on the ceiling? are those cables connected to anything above that isnt in the pic?

terryplumb · 4 Dec 2022

Did you take pics of the original wiring ,that you can show to us, are there other lights on the same circuit that do not work ?

LouiseE · 4 Dec 2022

Sureitsoff? said:
is the first pic what is on the ceiling? are those cables connected to anything above that isnt in the pic?

Yep that's the ceiling pic. This is all I can see in the opening

LouiseE · 4 Dec 2022

terryplumb said:
Did you take pics of the original wiring ,that you can show to us, are there other lights on the same circuit that do not work ?

Sadly I didn't ake photos of 2 of them but the first one I took off looked like this:

It was plugged into the back of this:

terryplumb · 4 Dec 2022

There are some terminal blocks within the ceiling void. You need to extract the wiring that's hiding up there and make proper terminations. Do you have access to above the ceiling ?

sparkwright · 4 Dec 2022

As above.

That wiring you have photographed is a load of rubbish, the 'proper' wiring appears to be stuffed into the ceiling void, and you need to get it out.

LouiseE · 4 Dec 2022

Oh dear! Thanks both!
I will have to have a look tomorrow during daylight hours I think. Above is the loft, which is all boarded so I wonder if this will be beyond my capabilities :s
I suppose the easiest option to to find another three light ceiling light and try put it back like fir like as much as I can or should I not quit and power ahead?

Old light: (one light didn't work actually but I assumed the bulb bust)

Screenshot_20221204_212753_Gallery~2.jpg

terryplumb · 4 Dec 2022

The wiring connections that are sitting in the ceiling void need to be inspected ,correctly terminated and connections made in an enclosure. If that's outside your skill set ,engage an electrician to do it. I would also have the other light fittings/their wiring inspected ,as it's highly likely they are just as poor .

sparkwright · 4 Dec 2022

You can't use the wiring coming out of the ceiling for anything.

In daytime, with the power COMPLETELY OFF at the mains, you should be able to 'tease out' probably three or four connectors out of the ceiling, and more wiring. Then you should be able to disconnect those blue and brown wires in your picture, and connect a light fitting of your choice.

LouiseE · 5 Dec 2022

You guys were spot on. So I pulled it out and out this. Although this is as far as I can pull it out. Does that mean they added that connector thing there as the original wires are too short?

terryplumb · 5 Dec 2022

Possibly,or their movement is restricted by cable clips on the cables.
It needs sorting out. Those terminal blocks just shoved into the void is unacceptable

Sureitsoff? · 5 Dec 2022

Also looks like all you have is switched live,earth and neutral. There might be more coonections or a junction box deeper in the ceiling

sparkwright · 5 Dec 2022

Have another go at getting more out (gently).

There may be another connector block, that is catching on something, and restricting the movement.

LouiseE · 6 Dec 2022

sparkwright said:
Have another go at getting more out (gently).

There may be another connector block, that is catching on something, and restricting the movement.

Okay so I found it in the loft and had an ex sparky look when he was measuring for window fittings, basically they are being used as an extension to the original wires and adding three to each wire that are in the loft. I've taken out the 2 extras and left just one in each connector....

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Ceiling light- 3 sets of wires to fit into 1 set light

LouiseE

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