HELP WITH LIGHT FITTING

[V_I_C_E]

I have a problem, i have recently bought a bar with 3 spotlight to replace my existing light, after reading the instructions i relised that there are 3 black wires comming out of my existing fitting when the instructions indicate that thier should be only one, i dont no if this is because i have an old fitting, but i followed the instructions clearly and when i turned the power on the lights came on, but when i turned it off the fuse wire blew and i had to replace it, can anyone tell me where i am going wrong or do u need more information...Thanks

 

[andy]

I have a problem, i have recently bought a bar with 3 spotlight to replace my existing light, after reading the instructions i relised that there are 3 black wires comming out of my existing fitting when the instructions indicate that thier should be only one, i dont no if this is because i have an old fitting, but i followed the instructions clearly and when i turned the power on the lights came on, but when i turned it off the fuse wire blew and i had to replace it, can anyone tell me where i am going wrong or do u need more information...Thanks

classic DIYers way to wire lights. u got all reds together and all blacks together? cause a direct short. you know which wire is the switch? u got a multimeter? see for reference for how it should be done properly

 

[V_I_C_E]

yeh i am pretty sure which wire is the switch mate but i do not have a multimeter, but yeh i am a DIYer.

 

[andy]

yeh i am pretty sure which wire is the switch mate but i do not have a multimeter, but yeh i am a DIYer.

youll need a multimeter to find the switch. either go get one (a cheap 1 for about £10 will do the job) or get a spark.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Andrew - please don't encourage the use of these dreadful SMS abbreviations...

 

[V_I_C_E]

is the switch wire a single black wire which is separate from the other 2 black wires, I marked it so i would no for future reference.

 

[andy]

is the switch wire a single black wire which is separate from the other 2 black wires, I marked it so i would no for future reference.

yes, itll be the black on its own

 

[andy]

Andrew - please don't encourage the use of these dreadful SMS abbreviations...

i dn't use txt spk!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

u got all reds together and all blacks together? cause a direct short. you know which wire is the switch? u got a multimeter? see for reference for how it should be done properly

 

[andy]

u got all reds together and all blacks together? cause a direct short. you know which wire is the switch? u got a multimeter? see for reference for how it should be done properly

but notice where i said 'you' and not 'u'! thats what counts!

actually, where is have used 'u' is where i edited the post and added more...

 

[V_I_C_E]

so what do you suggest that i should do now mate?

 

[andy]

so what do you suggest that i should do now mate?

since you have the switch wire identified, head over to the reference thread and find the wiring diagrams for light fittings. re-wire your light by that

also, depending on the switch, it may need replaced due to damage from the short

 

[V_I_C_E]

ok, thanks for your help, much appreciated

 

[V_I_C_E]

do you know which diagram i am looking for? because i am unsure which one i am looking for.

 

[Adam_151]

You need to get a piece of terminal block and use it to join all three reds together, but not to anything else. Then connect the black wire from the switch to the live (brown) connection on the light and the other two blacks to the neutral(blue) on the light. Earth wires (there should be three of them) should be covered with green and yellow earth sleeving, and connected to the earthing point on the light if one exists, if not, they need putting in a separate piece of terminal block.