New light fitting always on...

[jamesford1977]

Appreciate a hand with the following. I have just fitted a new light fixture on the ceiling. Whilst the light comes on (success!) it stays on permanently and doesn't switch off...(not ideal)...

No idea on wiring (just know enough not to kill myself - I think).

Took a picture of the old and new one....assumed 3 Red wires together were live and the two other blacks were neutral and earth... (If I switch the black wires over light doesn't come on at all)..

Can anyone help? Thanks in advance

 

[Iggifer]

Can't really tell what you've got where in your new light from that photo but you've connected the permenant live to where switch live should be.

That single black that was with the brown in the old pendant should be connected to live and the other two blacks to N. The three reds then need to go in a separate connector

 

[Echo the husky]

Have you connected the switched live to the earth terminal?!!

There appears to be no earth wires in your cables, you must not fit this fitting to your wiring.

 

[flameport]

The wiring does not appear to have an earth. It may be concealed in the ceiling, but if not, the new light cannot be used as it must have an earth connection.

 

[jamesford1977]

Thanks very much iggifer - it works now. Appreciate that.

 

[securespark]

I don't mean to sound mean, but you can see from the old connections there are no other wires connected to the reds.

The wires to the bulb are connected only to the black wires, 2 on one side (N) and one on the other (L).

So why:

Connect all the blacks together?

Connect the lamp to the red wires?


Also, and this is most important, I cannot see any earth wires in your connections. If your circuit has none, you must NOT use any fittings (luminaires or switches) that require an earth connection.

EDIT: Dayum! Curse you, Mr Port!

 

[jamesford1977]

Ok, thanks everyone. It does work now.
So having no earth - can someone outline exactly what that means and why it's dangerous with this new fitting? Thanks again

 

[EddieM]

Possibly death by electrocution when touching the fitting in the event of a fault.

 

[Lectrician]

Just because it works does not mean it is safe. Your fitting is now sat waiting for a fault to develop, causing the whole metal case of the fitting to become live, whether on or off, sitting and waiting to kill.

 

[jamesford1977]

Understood. Will make sure it's safe. Thanks everyone. Did have a sparky fit another fitting when we moved in and he didn't mention no earth but contacting him now to make sure it's safe.

 

[securespark]

You don't need to contact him to ask that.

We've told you it's not safe to fit a Class I light fitting to a circuit without earth wires.

If he tells you otherwise, he's being economical with the truth.

 

[jamesford1977]

OK - thanks. I've had 2 sparky's in since I bought and neither mentioned no earth so I was just hoping they werent both incompetent... obviously not.

 

[securespark]

Did both sparks work on the lighting?

I would have expected the one that did to have mentioned something to you. Did he fit a Class I light fitting or switch?

 

[jamesford1977]

Second one did and he fitted a class 1 light and switches yes. Just checked the light he did and earth empty. The light incidentally is above my daughters bed which is a mid high sleeper...(so within arms reach).

Bit shocked.... thanks for all your help.

 

[Lectrician]

Earths could be twisted and tucked up out the way.