3 lights, 1 rose, 4 cables - simple but need advice

[toby785]

I know this should be simple. I have read all the great threads concerning similar and read the diy books, but have not succeeded.

2 wall lights, 1 switch & 4 cables (each with L&N&E) and one pendant. one of these cables has a white bit of tape to it, which I took as a switch N and therefore wired as so -

2 block
***black with white tab of insulating tape,
***brown wire to pendant
3block
***all red wires
3block
***all other black wires
***blue wire to pendant

I know that 2 of the cables go from the rose to the wall lights, but the other two cables that go to the rose surely have to come from the switch and other??

touble is - the 2 wall lights stay on regardless of if the dimmer switch (no longer dims just on and off), is on or off.

any ideas?

ps the earth wires weren't connected when I got there - should I connect them as an upmost importance?

thank you lots in advance - it's annoyingly simple I'm sure, and feel daft but obviously don't want to mess around too much.

 

[bernardgreen]

2 block
***black with white tab of insulating tape,
***brown wire to pendant
3block
***all red wires
3block
***all other black wires
***blue wire to pendant

2 block
***black with white tab of insulating tape,
***brown wire to pendant

This is the switched live to the lamps. The black with tab is the switched live coming from the switch. The reds of the cables to the wall lights need to go into this block.

3block
***all red wires

This is the loop or permanent live block.

The red to the switch connects to this as does the red of the cable bringing power to the light ( from consumer unit or light in other room ) comes here.

It appears you have connected the wall lights to this and not to the switched live block.

Move the reds from the wall lights to the switched live.

Are you sure there are two cables to the wall lights. There may be only one cable to the wall lights and the fourth cable is the feed to the lights in another room. In which case the feed to the other room must stay in the Loop block otherwise the switch will control lights in other rooms as well. ( a handy way to tell if you have got the wire in switched instead of loop.




Bernard

Sharnbrook

 

[pcboffinuk]

Can't add anything to Bernard's answer re the switch.

ps the earth wires weren't connected when I got there - should I connect them as an upmost importance?

If the wall lights or ceiling rose are metal then the earth MUST be connected to them. If everything is plastic it is not so essential now, but still best to do it to make things easier if they ever change fittings later on.

The earths should be connected in the rose to a block, and then the pendant connected if metal - similarly at the wall lights.

You should also test the earth for continuity to make sure it is actually connected to something at the origin!

Really you should do a full test for earth loop, polarity, etc. (and complete a Minor Works Certificate) but if you are just replacing fittings on a well working installation some would argue that is not necessary.

Gavin

 

[toby785]

thank you Bernard for your reply, it's much appreciated.

So if I understand you correctly, I put the red wire from each of the wall lights into the 2 block (into the same slot as the black wire we assume is from the switch). Therefore the block will now be like this
2 block
***black wire with tab, 1 red to r. lamp, 1 red, to l. lamp
***brown wire to pendant.
3block
***all remaining red wires
3 block
***all remaining black wires.


(I always thought it was bad to put red and black together (in child terms!)).

so the two wall lamps are the same wiring as the pendant...so all do the same...ahhh the penny drops


what about the earth, bernard - v. imp? or not.


thanks again.

 

[toby785]

noted Gavin. thanks for your reply.
I'm not installing anything just changed the light. worth the effort in connecting the wires in case - even if it's not connected as source...

next time I got a pro round I'll get him (or her....but unlikely) to check it.

cheers

 

[bernardgreen]

thank you Bernard for your reply, it's much appreciated.

So if I understand you correctly, I put the red wire from each of the wall lights into the 2 block (into the same slot as the black wire we assume is from the switch). Therefore the block will now be like this
2 block
***black wire with tab, 1 red to r. lamp, 1 red, to l. lamp
***brown wire to pendant.
3block
***all remaining red wires
3 block
***all remaining black wires.


(I always thought it was bad to put red and black together (in child terms!)).

so the two wall lamps are the same wiring as the pendant...so all do the same...ahhh the penny drops


what about the earth, bernard - v. imp? or not.


thanks again.

That looks about right.

Yes the earths are very important and must all be joined together. If the wall lights are metal then they need to be earthed.

If the switch has a metal front then the plate be earthed. If the box is metal this must also be earthed.

 

[toby785]

Ta again.
toby