testing my down stair lights

[robin1983]

Hi all


I have problem wil my lights down stairs I put a new bulb in porch light and there was a loud bang, so Thought the fuse had blown (Not that simple) one of my down stair lights work, but the others dont, The one that works is the closted to my fuse box, I have a multi meter but a bit stumped how to use , Any advise would be great

Her is a pic of the multi meter

Untitled

• robin1983
• 30 Jun 2011
• 3

 

[ericmark]

The ceiling roses are connected to each other in a daisy chain fashion and likely there was a bad connection either in the last one to have a working lamp or first one with non working lamp.

Most likely way to find is turn off power at consumer unit then open ceiling roses and gently pull wires to see if you can find a lose one. Either in centre three way connector (loop) or edge three way connector (neutral).

 

[krisdorey]

Why dont you just continue your other thread rather than starting new ones?

Which is it? You put a new bulb and continuity was lost or (in your other thread) you removed a switch plate without making note of what went where and continuity was lost?

 

[robin1983]

put new bulb ina n every thing went, so changed the switch to stop using the porch light, and no lights worked aprt form the one closet to the fuse box

 

[robin1983]

I also bought one of thoes screw drivers with the light in, and tested it on the wires and it showed that there was power going to each switch

 

[krisdorey]

A neon voltstick?

Rub your feet on a wool carpet and apply the same tester to yourself and it'll glow, dont think you're putting out 230v

Voltsticks are only useful for (depending on who you ask)

1. The bin
2. Checking that your "test for dead" looks to be dead before really testing for dead.


Now you have a multimeter, one of the sparks will be able to guide you through the testing you need to discover which of your wires are common, live and switch live. But thats best in your other thread as youve given pictures there.

 

[Alarm]

Basically the OP should not even attempt to use a test meter.
Incorrect use can make you look a fool ( See use of Neon above).

Oops, fool alert.

Get someone qualified before you get it wrong, leave a live conductor exposed and kill your spouse/mother/child, in no particular order.

 

[robin1983]

fioxed it, it was 2 wires that had cime lose in my kitchen light all done now, thank you everyone