Bulkhead wiring issue

[cawright1]

Hi all, doing a job for an elderly neighbour and looking for advice on this. The first picture is the wiring on the old bulkhead light that I'm replacing. Unsure why two neutrals are going in, and the lives are terminated?

Anyway, new led light has 4 terminals. L,N,L,N ..with an earth off to side.

Now, I've tried every possible connotation of wiring to get the light working. Best I can get is the light just stays on, the light switch does nothing. I asked about why it even had x 2 cables, and assumed it must have a other switch somewhere, but no.They say they've always just switched it on with the same switch. There is one cable that I can follow from the light switch to the new light, but wiring that in does nothing, whereas the other cable - that heads off into the ceiling - if I wire that to the light then I can at least get the light permanently on. ...All strange, any ideas?

IMG 20260922 101908600 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG 20260922 101908600 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Murdochcat]

This is very basic so if you had to ask it may suggest you should get help professionally

 

[SUNRAY]

Hi all, doing a job for an elderly neighbour and looking for advice on this. The first picture is the wiring on the old bulkhead light that I'm replacing. Unsure why two neutrals are going in, and the lives are terminated?

Anyway, new led light has 4 terminals. L,N,L,N ..with an earth off to side.

Now, I've tried every possible connotation of wiring to get the light working. Best I can get is the light just stays on, the light switch does nothing. I asked about why it even had x 2 cables, and assumed it must have a other switch somewhere, but no.They say they've always just switched it on with the same switch. There is one cable that I can follow from the light switch to the new light, but wiring that in does nothing, whereas the other cable - that heads off into the ceiling - if I wire that to the light then I can at least get the light permanently on. ...All strange, any ideas?

IMG 20260922 101908600 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG 20260922 101908600 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

Well you obviously haven't tried ALL of the combinations of wiring, or else it would work.

what do the instruction for the new light say?

 

[cawright1]

Basic instructions, L to L, N to N, x 2.

 

[flameport]

Now, I've tried every possible connotation of wiring

No need to try anything or change anything.
The new light is connected exactly as the old one was.

Two reds connected together.
One black to N.
One black to L.
Both earths to the earth terminal.

There is one cable that I can follow from the light switch to the new light,

Yes, that is the cable that connects to the switch.

, whereas the other cable - that heads off into the ceiling - if I wire that to the light then I can at least get the light permanently on

That cable is the supply.

 

[ericmark]

@flameport is as normal for him, spot on. I personally do not use manual switches for outside lamps, either a smart bulb, a socket adaptor or other smart device controls 6 of the 8 outside lights. The two with no smart controls are rarely used.

I want to turn lights on before leaving my car, and off with voice control on entering the house.

 

[Brandon23]

It sounds like there may be a switched live or loop connection hidden in that ceiling wiring rather than a simple L and N setup. I’d definitely identify each conductor with a proper tester before reconnecting anything, especially with the unusual two neutrals and permanent live you’ve described.

hot games​