Having issues changing a light fitting

[Bunglemold]

Hi,

I am trying to change an old ceiling light fitting in my living room with a standared pendant fitting. Removed old fitting and there are 2 lots of cables coming from the ceiling. It is not clear which one is the switched live as it has no sleeving on it. Not a problem I thought, i will wire it up using one black as the switched live, the 2 reds to loop and the other black to 'N'. It did not work so I just swapped the wires over and thought it would be that simple. Its still not working.

Is it possible that if I wired it up the wrong way the first time that it could have broken the 2w dimmer switch?

i cant think of any other reason for it not working. All the other lights in the house are working.

Cheers

 

[riveralt]

Hi,

I am trying to change an old ceiling light fitting in my living room with a standared pendant fitting. Removed old fitting and there are 2 lots of cables coming from the ceiling. It is not clear which one is the switched live as it has no sleeving on it.

I'd have thought it would be very clear because the switched live would have gone to the old lamps live terminal.

Not a problem I thought, i will wire it up using one black as the switched live, the 2 reds to loop and the other black to 'N'. It did not work so I just swapped the wires over and thought it would be that simple. Its still not working.

Is it possible that if I wired it up the wrong way the first time that it could have broken the 2w dimmer switch?
i cant think of any other reason for it not working. All the other lights in the house are working.

Yes.
The reason the rest of the house lights are working is because this light appears to be the last in line on the lighting radial circuit.

 

[Bunglemold]

I agree but the old lamp was wired up very strangly and coverd in tape. It was a right mess.

I have a new switch to replace the dimer so will try that later and see how I go.

Cheers

 

[riveralt]

I agree but the old lamp was wired up very strangly and coverd in tape. It was a right mess.
I have a new switch to replace the dimer so will try that later and see how I go.
Cheers

Unless you can positively identify the switch live I would use an old 'cheap' switch rather than risking another dimmer.
Alternatively if you have access to a multi-meter you could always do a dead test to identify the switch live.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is there another light which is operated by the same switch?

 

[Bunglemold]

Yes, its a 2g dimmer. One for the ceiling light and one for the wall light.

 

[EFLImpudence]

No, the SAME switch.

 

[sparkwright]

If there are only two blacks, it wouldn't make a lot of difference which way round they are. It should still work, and shouldn't cause any damage.

However, the switch live black does need identifying, sleeving red, and connected to the L of the light.

Presumably you've checked all connections are sound, and the lamp makes good contact with the lampholder?