Loop-in wiring light problems

[hdp]

Hi

I have two lights in a room connected with a loop-in system. I've replaced the lights and now i have a problem.

The second light in the room was simple; there is one cable from the ceiling and I could directly wire into the new junction. The first has 4 cables. I've tried following the diagram in the link below as a guide to how to wire it, but its not worked.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/templ...ow_to/fix_ceiling_light/fix_ceiling_light.jsp

Currently one light is on and the other is off. If I flick any of the switches in the room (there are 3) then the light which is on goes off and the light which was off goes on.

Appreciate any help anyone can provide.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Rule 1 Always make a note, or take photo of wiring before you take it apart
Rule 2 Don't turn to B&Q for advice. It does not cater for your set up.


Look at THE WIKI here
//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:single_way_lighting


scroll down to the diagram called
2 Lights on one switch using loop in method

note you will need to connect the fourth cable up as shown in the other diagrams as it will be the feed to the lights in the next room.

 

[hdp]

Thanks!

I thought that was the way I had it wired. Does it sound like I have wire onto the second light confused with one of the other wires?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Do you have any approved testing equipment, that can test for continuity and voltage.
Also a photo or diagram of your set up would be helpful. I assume that both lights in this room function from the same switch, so both on/off at same time.
School boy error: Not noting down connections and marking up cables prior to disconnection.
Fundamental error: Taking on a task that you do not have a full grasp of.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Probably, possibly.
It's time to use a test meter to sort it out

 

[hdp]

Thanks all for input.

I know i messed up not marking the wires first. Has made a quick job a long one. I'll pick up a voltage screwdriver and clarify which wire isn't live and therefore is running to the second light in the room.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'll pick up a voltage screwdriver

No - do not do that.

A multimeter, at least, is an essential tool to have if you want to work on your electrics. It is just as important to have that correct tool as it is to have screwdrivers to use on screws instead of the point of a vegetable knife, wirecutters to use instead of nail scissors, wirestrippers to use instead of teeth, and so on.

Neon screwdrivers are questionable from a safety POV as they use your body as a current path, and they are unreliable - to safely check for voltage you must use a 2-pole tester, such as a proper voltage indicator or a multimeter.



This looks ideal for a household starter set - multimeter, voltage indicator and dedicated continuity tester, all in a handy case: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/115/Junior-Set/

PDF brochure: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/downloadfile/115/beschreibung_1/

All in German, unfortunately, as is the blurb on each product:

Multimeter: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproductdata/487/Hexagon_55/

Voltage indicator: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/116/2000_α_(alpha)/

Continuity tester: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/481/TESTFIX/

but it is sold in the UK - the company is now owned by Fluke, and I guess they haven't got all the websites sorted out yet - contact them (http://www.fluke.co.uk) for info on where to buy.

Right now the English specs are still lurking on the Internet Time Machine from when Beha was an independent company:

http://web.archive.org/web/20060920022629/http://www.beha.com/files_uk/multimeter/93549.pdf


Also see another discussion here: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26282 It's a few years old, so specific model number advice may be obsolete (and prices will be higher), but the generic advice is still sound.

 

[mdbalson]

Thanks all for input.

I know i messed up not marking the wires first. Has made a quick job a long one. I'll pick up a voltage screwdriver and clarify which wire isn't live and therefore is running to the second light in the room.

Do not use a neon screwdriver, use a multi meter[/b]

 

[hdp]

OK, how about: http://www.screwfix.com/p/analogue-pocket-multimeter/14350

I live near a screwfix

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Would not be my first choice but if the alternative was a neon screwdriver, you have twisted my arm!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Did you choose that one because it's the cheapest one they sell?

 

[hdp]

Nooooooo, like analogue. Reminds me of school science lessons......

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

School science reminds me of Mr Ford (physics teacher)
Famous quote " I can smell children, someone open the windows".

 

[sparkwright]

We need you to confirm if both lights are controlled by one switch, ie they are both supposed to come on together, or not.

Also, do the lights appear dim at all?

 

[hdp]

Both lights are controlled by the same switches (there are 3 in the room) and both lights should come on at same time.

Currently the way it's wired (if I attach both lights) one comes on while the other is off and switching any of the switches turns the one off and the other on.

Neither appear dim.