Light blew - now light won't go off!!

monkeymagic · 30 Aug 2008

Hi,
I have just fitted new light fittings all around my house with no probs - apart from one!!

I wired it up (chandelier type fitting) and turned on the light switch which resulted in a 'bang' from the light fitting.

After inspecting the wiring I noticed that the Earth had come away from the fixing on the light fitting so I connected the earth back up and fixed the light to the ceiling. When I turned the electric back on the bulb lit up as it should but when I went to turn it off at the light switch the bulb wouldn't turn off. All other lights in other rooms are working fine.

Please could anyone tell me why this is happening?

Spark123 · 30 Aug 2008

How have you connected it up? Sounds like you may have done the classic of fitting the switch across L & N, //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:blackswlive

BigJon · 30 Aug 2008

Could well be you've fused the contacts on your switch together, which would require a new switch.
Other possible reason is that its wired up wrong and you have a permanent live at the light instead of your switched live.

securespark · 30 Aug 2008

Have you connected all reds to one wire & all blacks to another?

When you switch the switch on, you will create a dead short across L & N. This may damage the switch, resulting in the operation of the switch doing nothing, and the light staying on because it is connected to the permanently live loop.

Post a piccy, please.

securespark · 30 Aug 2008

Doh x 2...

monkeymagic · 30 Aug 2008

Thanks for your quick replies - really grateful

Not currently living in house (moving in this week) and unfortunately unable to post pics at moment.

As you have probably guessed I am not an electrician so having a bit of difficulty with the terminology being used.

Definetely connected up correctly at light fitting end have checked.

Don't if this will help you help me solve the problem or if its relevant:
There is a plastic circular disc (don't know what its called) on the ceiling which is wired up.

There was the Live, Neutral and Earth hanging when I took the original light fitting off. The only thing different to the other light fittings I done was that this one had the an Earth to connect up to the light fitting. I could be wrong but I can't remember connecting an earth to any of the other light fittings I put up. The earth, as far as I remember on the other light fittings was connected into the plastic disc on the ceiling that I mentioned earlier.

Is my best bet to change the switch and see what happens?

Thanks again

securespark · 30 Aug 2008

Best bet is to post a piccy of the connections to the fitting (if that is all you have changed) then we can see exactly what you've done!

monkeymagic · 30 Aug 2008

Oh also - just remembered there was 2 wires going in to one of the plastic terminals (correct terminology??). Anyway the plastic block that comes with the light fitting that you screw the wires into - think it was the Earth.

Spark123 · 31 Aug 2008

Is it a dimmer switch?
Can you inspect the wires as they go through the ceiling to make sure you haven't screwed the mounting base into it?

tim west · 31 Aug 2008

that was my thought too dimmer with triac damaged and shorted

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Light blew - now light won't go off!!

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