no power to cables behind light switch

[GreenElectrics]

If there is an Octopus in good nick it might be worth money icon_cool.gif

I am selling one that's not so well, asking six quid for it

 

[ColJack]

not quite mastered the quote button yet?

for those who don't know what an octopus is...

View media item 18749 View media item 18750

 

[Halloween Jack]

Hi guys,

Back again after a bit of a break.

Reading through the comments I'm afraid I'm a little confused as to what to do next.

Can I ask:

1) Did I have the multimeter on the correct setting?

2) Should I test the resistence at the switch and/or the light fitting? If so, which setting on the multimeter should I use and which wires to test?

3) Should I pull up the carpet and floorboards on the landing to see if the wires end up in a junction box there?

And thanks for all your help on this much appreciated.

 

[bongos]

It sounds like your live feed to the switch has gone open circuit/broken.

Confirm that you have 230v between the live loop and neutral/earth in the light fitting. If this is the case then it should confirm the break in the live feed to the switch.

Set your multimeter on ~AC and do as suggested. In fact i can't remember if you have already done this anyway

The easiest way for us to help is for you to post a picture of the connections at your light fitting/ceiling rose. This will at least give us an idea of which wiring method your lights have been wired in and will hopefully make instruction you easier.

 

[gman76]

When you get to bottom of the problem, I'd suggest you might like to redecorate that room.

 

[Halloween Jack]

Bongos,

So next I should pull up the carpet and take a picture of the wiring at the ceiling rose?

and then take a picture of the wiring at the not working outside light? or the light at the ceiling rose?

gman76, You have a problem with our green? we like it. But you're not alone.

 

[sparkwright]

Hi guys,

Back again after a bit of a break.

Reading through the comments I'm afraid I'm a little confused as to what to do next.

Can I ask:

1) Did I have the multimeter on the correct setting?

2) Should I test the resistence at the switch and/or the light fitting? If so, which setting on the multimeter should I use and which wires to test?

3) Should I pull up the carpet and floorboards on the landing to see if the wires end up in a junction box there?

And thanks for all your help on this much appreciated.

You were correct to test for voltage with the 600 v ac setting. Don't forget the power needs to be on. Make sure the fuse/mcb is ok. As ban said the earth may be disconnected at the other end.

Resistance is tested for with the power off. All you need to find out in your case is continuity - is a wire continious or not. This can be done by shorting out two known wires one end, and testing between them the other end to check if they are continious.

You will find it easier to locate your fault if you replace the superswitch for an ordinary one way switch.

Check the bulb and fuse is ok again.

Check all relevent cables haven't been damaged by nails etc.

With the power on and the switch on check for voltage at the light between live and neutral. You should expect around 230 or 240 volts.
Work safely.

Tell us how many cables you have at the light. If you have more than one (with some reds in a connector separately) then you won't have a junction box for this light. In other words the switch cable may go to the light. If this happens to be the case then test between this live connector block and neutral.

Trace the cables as best you can. There may be a junction box somewhere. Remember, a black wire may not be neutral. It could be a switched live without red sleeving.

Take photos of everything you can.

 

[Halloween Jack]

I will check what I can on my next free day.

Thanks again.