Attempting to put up new light fitting & circuit blows

[333rocky333]

try reading all of the posts before replying..

Is there any need for a reply like that.
If so what post says that.
I think Helen R butler is more likely a she than a he.

 

[securespark]

I don't know what drew you to that rash assumption.

 

[HelenRButler]

Does this indicate that there is something wrong with the switch on the wall in the living room

A way to test this is to again isolate you electrics.
Take the 2 wires in the switch and join them together in a connector block.
Switch on your electrics, if the light comes on you need a new switch.
You can now leave it like this overnight so you have a light in the living room then buy a switch tomorrow or you can turn off your electrics, put each wire into a seperate connector block then turn your electrics back on and use a table lamp for the night.

Thanks for this Conny. I have tried what you suggested with the wires from the switch and nothing happened. Using the circuit tester I tested the wires and got a very low current.

I thought maybe there was a problem with the cable, so I bought a new piece and connected that up to replace the existing switch cable and still got the same low reading. Any more ideas?? Am I still doing something wrong?

(good news though, I did manage to sucessfully wire up the new light in the other room )

 

[ColJack]

do you mean low current? or do you mean low ohms?

 

[HelenRButler]

low current. Have I still got the switch wire wrong even though all the other lights downstairs are working?

 

[ColJack]

how are you measuring this current..?

 

[GaryMo]

How and why are you measuring current?

 

[HelenRButler]

The circuit tester I am using in an analogue one. With the dial switched to 250V, I am placing the red needle on the red wire and the black needle on the black wire.

 

[ColJack]

that's not current, that's voltage..

which is why I asked..

are you testing with the power on or off?

 

[GaryMo]

Are you attempting to measure current or voltage?

 

[HelenRButler]

How and why are you measuring current?

This was what my dad was doing when he was over a couple of days a go. I thought it would tell me if there was a problem with the cable.

 

[GaryMo]

An insulation resistance test and continuity test with a low ohm meter would tell you if there's a problem with a piece of cable. You probably lack an insulation resistance tester though.

 

[333rocky333]

Helen with respect, there seems to be a lot of quess work here.

Your problems started by removing the light in your photo.

Normally, no matter how wrongly you connect one light , it would not affect a switch or switchwire to another light.

The switch that went bang did so after you connected something,I assume one of the wires in your picture.
Although coljack says the switch is for another light, I cannot see where you said this.

I read it that the switch that blew and the wires in the pic are both in the living room.

It is also odd for the circuit to have, 1 switchwire, 1 supply and 2 loopfeeds all at one point, unless you have had alterations in the past.

 

[HelenRButler]

I read it that the switch that blew and the wires in the pic are both in the living room.

It is also odd for the circuit to have, 1 switchwire, 1 supply and 2 loopfeeds all at one point, unless you have had alterations in the past.

Yes, to the points you made and I appreciate what you saying. Perhaps it is time to get an electrician in!

Also, you are correct, the switch I am having problems with is in the same room as the wires in the picture (living room).

I don't know if any alterations have been made in the past, I have been here about 3 years and never touched the lights before or made any alterations.

 

[333rocky333]

Helen, it is proberly something you can resolve easily.
however you must work with the power Off and get to know the continuity part of your tester.
All the best.