Ceiling light cable missing

[chriselevate]

Hi guys,

As you might have heard I've had a lounge replastered and in the process I've taken out wall lights as the looked dated. In this room there is a 2 gang dimmer light switch. The supply comes in and there's one load coming off the two dimmers and both were connected until I knocked off the wall lights.

Here's the problem... the second load (I thought was for the ceiling) and the ceiling had a plaster rose in the centre of the room but no hold through it. The plasterer took the rose down to reveal no hole either. He's made a hole (to get his hand up) and can't feel the cable! Not sure what to do or where it could be.

There's no other lights it's supplying so I don't understand why it was left connected (and not doing anything) at the switch. Seems a strange thing to do.

Just a few more but of information that might help... the room in question is probably a 20 year extension I believe. I moved in 6 moths ago. The room was flat 5 years ago and as the house was extended 5 years ago the changed it for a mono pitch roof.
Putting my hand up I can feel the joists and I can feel the original ply ceiling too. If I could even find the cable for the wall lights I'd be happy to use that but I can't.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Jackrae]

Get some light and a camera up there. If you put your phone into video-link mode and tape it to a length of wood you may be able to see what's what

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks. Lots of insulation up there so might not work. But will be giving it a go.
Any other ideas?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He's made a hole (to get his hand up)

I hope he turned off all the power before doing that....

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Any other ideas?

Cut hole in ceiling and get the plasterer back!

 

[chriselevate]

Right.... I can't find the ceiling light but I've found the supply to the wall lights but now need some slightly different help please!!

I've found that connecting the live supply (red core) to the live load (red core) it sends the neutral load (black core) and the earth load (green and yellow) live too! I don't get this!

Any ideas!?

All I can think is that there must be a nick in the cable somewhere and there has always been a problem?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What are you using which tells you that these conductors are 'live'?

 

[chriselevate]

Electrician screw driver (testing light in the handle glows).

One of these:

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Throw it away - it is at best unreliable, at worst dangerous.

Check the cables again with a proper 2-pole voltage tester.

 

[chriselevate]

But it surely wouldn't light up if when it touches the earth core would it?

 

[chriselevate]

Would you buy a fluke T90 or a T110 then?
I've connected the light and it work by the way. Still don't understand why the earth showed a live reading. Any help understanding this would be appreciated if its easy to explain.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[Jackrae]

Sounds like your earth wire is floating (not connected to earth) and has some voltage induced into it by the capacitance between it and the live wires. If that is the case it is incapable of supplying any real power even though your neon indicator shows it is live. However, it may actually be live so beware !

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks. I was worried that the votes were touching somewhere but I guess this is not the case as I've connected them all now and was expecting a trip but it hasn't happened. It's a 5amp fuse that supplying that feed from a fused spur as they've taken it for a point on the downstairs ring. Could this explain it too? Do you think I should change the fuse to a lower rating? If so, what rating?
Thanks guys.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Thanks. I was worried that the votes were but I guess this is not the case

Regrettably that is what you are relying on, "guess work" not really ideal, you need to prove what has been done is safe. It is a legal requirement!

as I've connected them all now and was expecting a trip but it hasn't happened.

That does not mean it is safe, just because it works and it does not trip!

It's a 5amp fuse that supplying that feed from a fused spur as they've taken it for a point on the downstairs ring. Could this explain it too?

Explain what?

Do you think I should change the fuse to a lower rating? If so, what rating?

The 5A fuse protects the cable if the cable has current carrying capacity equal to or greater than that of 5A, it should be fine.

In summary, you really need to prove what you have done is safe. You have indicated that you have identified a live voltage on a earth, this maybe because of bogus readings via an unsuitable voltage detection instrument or maybe not. You have also indicated that you are not too wised-up on electrical installation and safety (no disrespect). You need this checking out for every bodies safety that uses the house.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

NOT AN Electrician screw driver (testing light in the handle glows and on occasion so could the user).

One of these: