Lighting wiring question

[MBTA1]

Hi, sorry if this is a simple one but can anyone help with the following.

I am fitting a new light in a utility room and there are three cables out of the ceiling. All three have one red, one black and an earth. I understand that two of these will be part of the lighting circuit and one will be to the light switch and should have been marked up but isnt.

The new light fitting only has one connection each for the live, neutral and earth.

Can anyone explain in simple terms how I find out which cable goes to the light switch and how I go about wiring this up? I have tried to get an electrician out to do this and some quotes for other work but it is proving somewhat difficult to pin one down.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

there are three cables out of the ceiling. All three have one red, one black and an earth. I understand that two of these will be part of the lighting circuit and one will be to the light switch and should have been marked up but isnt.

And you went and removed the old ceiling rose without making a note of which conductor went where?

Can anyone explain in simple terms how I find out which cable goes to the light switch

With the power off, use your multimeter on continuity/low-ohm setting to look for continuity between a red & black pair which will be there when the switch is closed, not there when it's open.

and how I go about wiring this up?

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:rose

 

[stem]

Deleted at the below request of B-A-S.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They can also be found in the Wiki - PLEASE stop linking to the unmaintainable sticky topics.

 

[MBTA1]

Thanks 'ban-all-sheds'

We've just moved in and unfortunately the ceiling rose was missing, just the cables out of ceiling. I will grab a multimeter later and follow your advice.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

We've just moved in and unfortunately the ceiling rose was missing.

Did the vendor tell you that they would be taking it?

 

[securespark]

No they didn't.

No doubt he should mount a time consuming and costly action against them for damages, and seek recompense including (but not limited to):

potential exposure to shock risk

inconvenience - on many different levels

recouperation of all costs incurred due to the inconvenience

upset and disappointment (current and future)

etc

etc



Or perhaps he could just whack a pendant up there for now and have done with it?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No they didn't.

Might have done, if it was a nice light they wanted to keep, or an ornate plaster rose etc.


But if not...

No doubt he should mount a time consuming and costly action against them for damages, and seek recompense including (but not limited to):

He could usefully fire off a few letters to ask for his costs if they did remove fixtures which they were not supposed to. Maybe invest £25 in an online claim.

Or perhaps he could just whack a pendant up there for now and have done with it?

Which he is basically trying to do.

 

[JohnW2]

Might have done, if it was a nice light they wanted to keep, or an ornate plaster rose etc.

It must be relatively common, since I note that question 14.4(b) of the TA6 conveyancing form asks:

"Will the seller ensure that ... if light fittings are removed, the fittings will be replaced with ceiling rose, flex, bulb holder and bulb?" [yes,'bulb' ]

Interestingly, the seller is asked to give a yes/no answer to this question - so they can answer 'no' if they wish!

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It must be relatively common,

Common enough.

If you've spent hundreds or even thousands on lights which you like, you might well want to hang onto them.

Interestingly, the seller is asked to give a yes/no answer to this question - so they can answer 'no' if they wish!

Yup, but at least the buyer is prepared.

 

[MBTA1]

All now resolved. Lovely new light in place and working fine. Thanks for the advice.