Old Wiring - New Ceiling Light.

[AlanS28]

Need some help here.

I'm looking to replace two old lights with new fittings.

One set is 'normal' with 3 wires. The other fitting has 2 sets of 3 wires. Why would there be two sets?

Do I just need to wire it up with a rose?

 

[ktuludays]

Did you take a picture before you disconnected?

 

[ETAF]

power in = 3 cables in a T&E
power out = 3 cables in a T&E to next light - may not exist if last light
Switch = 3 cables in a T&E
see here
https://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Single-way-lighting

 

[AlanS28]

Did you take a picture before you disconnected?

Nope. Assumed both lights would be wired up identically (i.e. I would have the other one to refer to), which clearly wasn't correct.

 

[terryplumb]

Are both light fittings in the same room ,and more importantly operated by the same switch ,so both come on or off at the same time ?

 

[AlanS28]

Are both light fittings in the same room ,and more importantly operated by the same switch ,so both come on or off at the same time ?

Yes

 

[terryplumb]

Do you have any testing equipment ,such as a multimeter or twin probe voltage tester ? It's likely that one of the two cables in your pic takes the switched live and neutral to the second light fitting,but guessing isn't the way forward ,you need to do some testing.
Showing pics of wiring at the switch would be useful.

 

[AlanS28]

Do you have any testing equipment ,such as a multimeter or twin probe voltage tester ? It's likely that one of the two cables in your pic takes the switched live and neutral to the second light fitting,but guessing isn't the way forward ,you need to do some testing.
Showing pics of wiring at the switch would be useful.

This is the switch wiring.

 

[terryplumb]

That switchplate must be earthed. The earth conductors need to be connected to its earth terminal.
The two cables in your ceiling should be connected as follows...
Two reds together in the light fittings live terminal.
Two blacks together in its neutral terminal.
The earth conductors together in the light fittings earth terminal.

 

[AlanS28]

That switchplate must be earthed. The earth conductors need to be connected to its earth terminal.
The two cables in your ceiling should be connected as follows...
Two reds together in the light fittings live terminal.
Two blacks together in its neutral terminal.
The earth conductors together in the light fittings earth terminal.

It's as simple as that? The two live wires being together won't cause some sort of short/spark?

 

[terryplumb]

Turn the power off before you make the connections ,or it may be a very shocking experience !! Other than that no sparking to be expected !!

 

[AlanS28]

Turn the power off before you make the connections ,or it may be a very shocking experience !! Other than that no sparking to be expected !!

 

[EFLImpudence]

power in = 3 cables in a T&E
power out = 3 cables in a T&E to next light - may not exist if last light
Switch = 3 cables in a T&E

There are nine wires - or conductors - in three T&E cables.