FCU problems!

[joannabrown81]

Although not a regular DIYer, I feel I should be able to do this, but alas...No!!!
I am trying to replace a plastic FCU and mounting box that was previously working, but with different labelled connections in the new FCU, I am completely stumped!!! The FCU is for a double plug socket. But there are two other cables in the wall that need to be connected aswell - an older looking earth, live, neutral and another thicker cable with 2 lives, 2 neutrals and a green cable which I'm assuming must be earth (yet it was not previously connected!) I NEED HELP WITH WHAT GOES WHERE! On the FCU I have LOAD e,l,n and SUPPLY e,l,n .

I really resent having to call in an electrician for what should be an easy-ish job.
CAN ANYONE HELP ME?!

___________________________________
Lynda, moderator.

your post title has been edited, see forum rule 5.

Please also note forum rule 6.

 

[davy_owen_88]

Didn't you note what went where before you disconnected them? If not then make a note to do this next time it really does save a fair bit of hassle

Are you sure there is a single cable with 4 cores and an earth? Or do you have 2 separate cables each with a L,N and E?

Anywho, you should have a feed in and out connected to the supply terminals and then a single length of cable going to the double socket connected to the load terminals.

Could you post some pictures?

 

[joannabrown81]

Thanks Davy,
I did try to note what went where, but the new FCU is so very different looking!!!
I think you are right, it is two cables and the earth from each has been put together in a green sleeve!

I'm pretty sure that I have done what you suggest: the double socket cable connected to the appropriate LOAD connections and everything else connected to the SUPPLY (3 lives, 3 neutrals and 2 earths + another free earth to the mounting box).
I'm now thinking that I may have blown the fuses I'm testing with all my wiring combinations!???
I'm trying to upload pictures when it is daylight, for fear of blowing myself up!!!

 

[joannabrown81]

Davy, I have taken some pictures, but can't figure out how to add them to this forum!!!!
I have today re-wired again with a new fuse and still it doesn't work! Please Help![/img][/b]

 

[joannabrown81]

 

[Steve]

upload the pictures here:

www.imageshack.us

and put the "direct link to image" between IMG tags here.

 

[securespark]

 

[joannabrown81]

the image shack website seems to be down now and I have only managed to upload the most useless picture!!!
It really is not my day today - friday 13th come early![/img]

 

[davy_owen_88]

 

[joannabrown81]

WOW Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ricicle]

You need some grommets or glands for those holes in the FCU where the cables enter.

 

[davy_owen_88]

Right, from what I can tell you have wired the extra socket correctly.

Red - load L
Black - load N
G&Y - load E

You then have 2 cables each with a L,N + E coming in from below and another cable coming from above.

Connect the cables coming from below like this:


Red - supply L
Black - supply N
G&Y - supply E

Then add the appropriately sleeved fly lead to the backing box.

Ignore the cable entering from above, if that wasn't connected before then it is likely that it used to feed a spur somewhere else. Do you have a multimeter to check if it is live? You really should get some grommets too to prevent the sharp edges of the entry holes from damaging the sheath.

 

[plugwash]

why the heck have you got a metal surface box on top of a metal flush box?!

 

[joannabrown81]

you guys are fantastic, thanks for your help!
It was the Dark Green wire (bottom right) that wasn't connected before! I have a fealing that that is the earth so that's a bit worrying. Everything else was connected. I don't have a multimeter thingy unfortunately...as you can probably tell, I'm not exactly expert at this.
As for a metal box on a metal box, well I am just repalcing what was there before only plastic and broken.

I know that it very much appears that I'm extra rubbish at all this, but I'm so sure that it is connected the way the last one was! I've tried it again with a new fuse, but nothing.

Do you think I've damaged something more serious? Is that possible? Do you think that I should just get an electrician in? Or do you think they will rip me off???


AAARRGGGHHHH it shouldn't be this difficult!!!

Joanna

 

[davy_owen_88]

You have put a fuse in the FCU haven't you?