Replacing old Bulkhead light for Security Light

[pumkinpaul]

Hi,

I need some guidance on wiring in a light. I have an old bulkhead light which doesn't work, the wires aren't safe and needs replacing. It is connected to a 3 gang switch which also operate my kitchen lights. I have drawn a diagram with all the information I have and added some photos.

The problem I have is the new light has connections for Live, Neutral and Earth. The old light has a wire coming in, which has L,N and E, the Live goes into one connection then out another, the earth is wrapped around a nut and the neutral isn't touched.

Anyone know how I wire this up? Is it simply a case of putting the 2 lives together in the new light, and the neutrals and Earth?

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• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• pumkinpaul
• 14 Oct 2014
• 1

 

[AndyPRK]

The new light has a pir ?

Leave the reds connected together

Connect one black to L
And other to N

 

[stillp]

If the neutral isn't connected to the light, that'll be why it doesn't work!
Did you mean it isn't connected to the switch?

 

[AndyPRK]

If the neutral isn't connected to the light, that'll be why it doesn't work!
Did you mean it isn't connected to the switch?

I think the poor pictures show a black a drift from the bulb holder.
And hence why it doesn't work

 

[pumkinpaul]

The wire is adrift, if I connect it then the light works.

The new light does have a PIR.

I can try and get better photos, but this thing is old and likely to fall off. At least it is relatively safe at the moment.

It looks like only the Live wire has been cut, with the light in the middle. The other wires haven't been touched.

Think I may need an electrician!

 

[AndyPRK]

No, its all perfectly normal and understandable.

One cable comes in from the lighting circuit.
The other cable does to the switch.

Red in, to Red out (live to switch)
after the switch, it comes back on the black 'switched wire' to the lamp holder.
The other black is the neutral and connected to lamp holder also.

Whats the new light like? Does it have lots of room inside by the terminals?
Is it metal ?

 

[pumkinpaul]

There is plenty of space in the new light and it is plastic.

I would prefer to be able to turn the new light on and off with the existing switch, but if it isn't possible I can live with it.

 

[AndyPRK]

All quite easy then. And yes the switch will work as you require.

Turn off the power at the CU
Remove the old light.
Fit new light and route cables in as they are (without cutting).

Connect one black upto L
Connect one black upto N

Put some green/yellow tape over the earth wire if you have some, or if its likely to come into contact with something it shouldn't

 

[pumkinpaul]

Thanks, I will try that tomorrow.

Does it matter which black goes to live and which neutral?