Switch wire. 2 of 3 are live!

[ban-all-sheds]

Done Plan A but still no joy

Err....

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  • http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+lighting+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index

• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Check for circuit continuity, switches working etc.
• Connect everything up properly.

Thanks but only have neon tester screwdriver.

The light in room No. 1 is fine but not in No. 2 which will not light together with other lights in the house. Checked and rechecked the wiring several times.

So, just to clarify - you do know how lighting circuits work, you have now got a multimeter, you have used it to identify which conductors are which, and to check that they are sound and to check that the switches work OK, you have connected it all up properly, but it still doesn't work?

The conductors are all OK, they connect the right things together, the switches do what they should, but it still doesn't work?

 

[endecotp]

Determined the switched wire

How did you do that?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

With the multimeter which he went out and bought this morning.

 

[Riki]

How are you determining that a wire is "live" ?

On both ceiling lights both switch wires were identified with a neon tester screwdriver. Also, just in case the neon tester is faulty, I wired using all permutations. The light in one room works but not in the other.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why are you still using a neon screwdriver when

a) you've been advised that they are useless
b) you've got, and know how to use, a multimeter

?

 

[Riki]

With the multimeter which he went out and bought this morning.

No, the neon tester. Is it imperative to buy a multimeter? I have used neon testers all my life.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Well, yes, it is imperative.

But you said you had gone and bought one. It was one of the steps in Plan A which you said you had done.

Done Plan A but still no joy.

that wasn't true, was it?

Go away.

 

[Riki]

Well, yes, it is imperative.

But you said you had gone and bought one. It was one of the steps in Plan A which you said you had done.


that wasn't true, was it?

Go away.

No, missed that one. Apologies. I am posting photos shortly.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Without one you will also have missed doing

• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Check for circuit continuity, switches working etc.
• Connect everything up properly.

 

[Riki]

Rooms 1 and 2

 

[ianniann]

Is it possible that light 2 does work, but only when light 1 is switched on?

 

[Riki]

Is it possible that light 2 does work, but only when light 1 is switched on?

No, it doesn't. 2 doesn't work at all together with other lights in the house.

 

[Riki]

The only "neutral" that should be live is the switched live, and only when the switch is on which is a pretty simple way to identify it. It ought to be sleeved in red but often isn't.

The two "real" neutrals should be connected together, and to the lamp, so it is hard to see how one would be live and one not. A picture would help.

Both connections are identical but No. 2 does not work together with other lights in the house.

 

[endecotp]

On both ceiling lights both switch wires were identified with a neon tester screwdriver.

Throw it away now.

I wired using all permutations.

That is an extraordinarily bad idea as some permutations will leave the system in an apparently-working but dangerous condition.

 

[Riki]

Throw it away now.



That is an extraordinarily bad idea as some permutations will leave the system in an apparently-working but dangerous condition.

You are right! But desperation is setting in and have now tried everything in the book, I think.