Lighting Help

[welsman010]

First time here. Hoping someone can help.

Had ceiling replaced some months ago and as i wasn't keeping previous lights the plaster just cut the wires. Now I haven't got a clue what is what, so thought tell you lot what I got and someone tell me the rest

I have 2 kitchen lights on a 2 gang switch and used to be able to operate both separately off the switch.

I have one hole in the ceiling with 3 cables hanging out of (Wires in cables are red black and bare metal)

2nd Hole has 2 cables hanging out of it.

All cables and wires are identical, no marking etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Gutterball]

Get your self a electrician he will have the correct tools to identify the wires. it should only take him 30 min's or so.

 

[welsman010]

If i need to get tools I will. Hoping to try myself first.

 

[Gutterball]

you need a good multimeter

 

[Taylortwocities]

you need a good multimeter

And you need to read and understand the way lighting circuits can be wired.
Here is your lighting 101 http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:lighting_circuit_layouts

My guess:
the hole with 3 cables is feed in, feed out and switch.
The other hole has feed in and the second switch.

 

[sparkwright]

We need to know EXACTLY what wires are at the lights. Different colour wires from different cables.

Also need to know EXACTLY what wires you have at all relevent switches.

Photos would be extremely useful, though a very detailed description may do.

That was a bit bloody daft, cutting wires without noting where they all went to first, wasn't it? If you don't mind me saying so.

 

[Taylortwocities]

.

That was a bit bloody daft, cutting wires without noting where they all went to first, wasn't it? If you don't mind me saying so.

Sir! Sir! It was the plaster(sic) wot dun it....