Ceiling light problem

[princebaz]

Hi,

I'm attempting to fit a new ceiling light (B&Q Futura) in the bathroom. The original light had no earth wire connected, but after stripping back further I found a bare copper wire (presumably the earth).
I connected up the 3 wires to the new light, put the bulb in and turned the power back on - but no light!
I've tried a different bulb and have reconnected the old 2-wire light which works.
Any other ideas, before I return the light.

Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

have a look at this
//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:single_way_lighting

 

[sparkwright]

can you describe the light fitting?
does it have push in connections, takes screw in lamps, low voltage or anything else that is prone to go wrong?

 

[princebaz]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies.

The light's got a 3-wire terminal block (push in and screw connection for the supply wires - pretty sure i got this bit right..).

The bulb is one of the 2 pin 9 watt energy saving bulbs.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

We need to know what wires that are coming from the ceiling void ie colours and numbes and what marks are on the position on the terminal block on the fitting, to be able to help you best.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do you have a normal switch or a dimmer?

What sort of light is the original? (Surely it can't be what I'm wondering, but nothing would surprise me any more.... )

 

[princebaz]

Hi,

The supply wires are the old style black and red and a bare copper wire for the earth. I connected these up to the blue, brown and yellow/green respectively in the terminal block.

Ban-all-sheds - I'm intrigued. It's a normal pull cord switch in the bathroom. The old wires (no earth) push directly into a metal connector on the back the light-bulb unit.

Not sure if it's relevant but I live in building that was converted to flats in the early 1980's.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Have you ever replaced the bulb in the old light?

 

[princebaz]

yes pretty sure we have. what you thinking?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm thinking "I wonder if the old light was a 12V one".

 

[princebaz]

i'm sure that bulb has been changed. is there anything i can check?

 

[TicklyT]

It doesn't directly address the problem you have, but if the earth wire was cut back in the original fitting, and there are no earth wires present at the switch, I would be concerned about the earth continuity of your installation. Can you prove continuity of the earth connection?

If there is no continuity, it doesn't necessarily mean you can't change your light fitting, but it would limit your choices to a double insulated fitting that doesn't require an earth.