I have recently replaced an exteroir light fitting. Firstly it blew the fuse. I have 2 wires from the switch both grey covered but one is then black inside and the other contains 2 wires one red covered and the other uncovered (bare). I assumed that red is live, uncovered is Earth and Black is neutral. So I connected Red to Brown, Black to blue and the Bare wire to Earth. It doesn't work any ideas why? It doesn't blow the fuse either.
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Replacing outside light fitting.
- Thread starter les1
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les1 said:
ban-all-sheds said:
ban i think he's saying he would expect it to either work (as hes mended it) or blow the fuse (like it did before), but it doesnt do either.les1 said:
les what have you done to try and faultfind so far? -checked the fuse? checked the bulb? measured the voltage at the light? -and at the switch in and out of the switch? (quite possible whatever caused the fuse to blow blew the switch aswell) -at which point i would be asking are you sure you know what caused the fuse to blow and that it is safe now?
Thanks but no thanks for your comments: Firstly I would have normally thought this was a straight forward change of lamp. I am NO electrician. No I did not expect anything other than it to work albeit I have never come accross the Red & Earth together before. I was only trying to illustrate clearly what had happened and all point involved. I see that you made the comments but didn't come up with any explanations as to what should surely be quite a simple project. I did check bulbs, I did mend the fuse, this light works from a dual switch which has the kitchen light along side. This works, I have no idea if it could have blown half of the switch. Perhaps you could tell me?
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les1 said:
There's no need to be snotty.
If it's such a simple project, why have you F'd it up?
Maybe because you forgot to make a note of what went where?
Ah, and also because you are "NO electrician".
So why mess with it, then?
Sorry if I was a bit negative, didn’t mean to insult your intelligence saying about the bulb and fuse, but we’ve all overlooked the simple before 
and unless you say you’ve checked it Im not going to assume.
and unless you say you’ve checked it Im not going to assume.it should be simple but its not working and its even harder to see why when we cant see it that’s why we were asking moreles1 said:
yes it could as the duel switch is basically 2 separate switches. You could try wiring the part that does the kitchen to do outdoors and visa versa to confirm the switch is dead or working.les1 said:
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No, what you need is a spark, mate!
Thanks Sm1thson I will try the switch. The kitchen light works so I will check that out next. I usually carry out minor electricals and I did not expect changing this fitting to be a problem. Main problem originally was that the original fitting was so old and rusted that I had to cut it off to remove it. Hence I was not able to see how it was wired at that end.
M
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les1 you must understand that our "resident boys" can only go by what you type. They are not mind readers.
People like your self are welcome to come here and ask for advice, but often, as you have done, new members do not explain what is meant and or use the wrong terminology-hence the remarks posted.
People like your self are welcome to come here and ask for advice, but often, as you have done, new members do not explain what is meant and or use the wrong terminology-hence the remarks posted.
les1, i'm amazed nobody has asked this. Was there a working light there before? You appear to have wired correctly at the light. It is possible it has been disconnected elsewhere if the light has been out of service for some time.
Finally, Does the light have a PIR which might require adjustment?
Finally, Does the light have a PIR which might require adjustment?
Firstly my reply is to the moderator. I do understand what you are saying. However I came onto the forum hoping to get some sound advice I do not need smart remarks. I can either go and get an electrician or try to resolve this myself. I chose the latter because to me it was still a monor job. aybe it will turn out not tp be so. I use forums for many reasons as I travel a lot and usually get very good advice.
An explanation that makes sense given the information so far is that the cable is damaged, and that is why the fuse blew, but the fault also vapourised a bit of cable so now there is no power.
Provided they didn't touch, there is no way that connecting the wires to the wrong terminals in the light will cause the fuse to blow. The light may not work, or the case might become live, but the fuse will remain intact.
What I don't understand is why you haven't done the most basic and obvious first tests and used your multimeter to confirm that there is power reaching the cable at the switch end and that it then makes its way through to the light end.
Provided they didn't touch, there is no way that connecting the wires to the wrong terminals in the light will cause the fuse to blow. The light may not work, or the case might become live, but the fuse will remain intact.
What I don't understand is why you haven't done the most basic and obvious first tests and used your multimeter to confirm that there is power reaching the cable at the switch end and that it then makes its way through to the light end.
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