Trying to connect a ceiling light

[dhechle]

hi,

I have just moved into a new house and the previous owner has taken the light from the ceiling and left me a bunch of cables. I want to put a simple light fitting up but am confused with all the cables so hope somebody can help.

There are 4 main cables coming out of the ceiling, each one has a red, black and another with no cover on (i presume an earth) and these all go into seperate toffee blocks . i.e. black to black, red to red and E to E

I am not sure which one is the Live and could do with some advise as how to use the multi meter to find out which one it is so would appreciate any advice you could give me.

many thanks in advance.

Dave

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[andy]

turn power off. 1 cable will be the switch. its most likely the cable with a black not connected to the other blacks. to test, put meter on resistance test. tuen switch on/off. reading should go infinity when switched off, and go low when switched on. see for reference for diagrams of how to re-connect

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And get your solicitor to go after the seller for compensation - the light he removed was a fixture, and should have remained.

 

[Qedelec]

4 cables would indicate you have a spur off this junction.
1. Feed from previous rose or Cobsumer Unit
2. Feed to next ceiling rose
3. Feed to next ceiling rose
4. Switch feed and return.

All reds should be bunched together
3 blacks together are neutral point for light
single black sleeved red is return from switch and is Live point for light
All bare earths sleeved Green/Yellow bunched together to provide earth continuity to the circuit and, if fitting class 1 fitting, MUST be connected to the fittings earth.

 

[Lectrician]

There is also a high possibility that the fourth 'extra' cable may be require switching if this light fitting switches on with another (long hall, large lounge etc).

 

[dhechle]

Thanks alot for all your advice, my mate is coming round tomorrow who's done quite abit of electrician work so fingers crossed.

thanks again

Dave

 

[breezer]

not dave9 is it?

 

[Lectrician]

not dave9 is it?

Just hope dave9 isn't his mate