Voltage test seems okay but no power?

[AFT4B]

Hello,

For context, we had an extension built with wiring for some external wall lights (switched internally). One switch for a set of flood lights and one switch for wall up lights.

The switch was wired by the electrician and apparently all the wires externally were tested for continuity – we weren’t ready for wall lights at the time.

I now want to fit the flood lights, but when I wired one up, it doesn’t work. I used one of these voltage testers and it lights up completely – I also checked all the lives at the switch and they all light up.

Unfortunately, the original electrician is unresponsive. So, I’m trying to weed out any obvious faults before spending on getting a different electrician in to check things over again.

The floodlight is new and I even wired up a basic internal ceiling pendent to check – but no joy.

Welcome any suggestions for checks I can do to avoid unnecessary costs.

 

[ETAF]

any photos of the installation , any isolating switch in place thats OFF - how were the wires isolated before fitting the new lights

often the voltage testers and it lights up completely may give false results

 

[Murdochcat]

What sort of tester do you have?

 

[AFT4B]

any photos of the installation , any isolating switch in place thats OFF - how were the wires isolated before fitting the new lights

often the voltage testers and it lights up completely may give false results

I normally just switch off the main breaker at the fuse board.

I'll get a photo of the wiring to the switch. I also noticed three sets of wires going to the light pendent in the room where the light switch for the external lights is. Assuming they're all on the same circuit - pendent in the room works fine.

What sort of tester do you have?

I know these aren't particularly reliable but mine has about 5 lights and ALL light up. If the voltage is weak or it's picking up from somewhere else then 1 or 2 tend to light up.

 

[ETAF]

I normally just switch off the main breaker at the fuse board.

so has that been OFF all the time, while no outside lights / wall lights ?

One switch for a set of flood lights and one switch for wall up lights.

we weren’t ready for wall lights at the time.

So do you have those and do they work

I now want to fit the flood lights,

so if you turn the switch ON /OFF for the flood lights - does the pen change at all

how did he wire it all up this

I normally just switch off the main breaker at the fuse board.

Does this Breaker ONLY provide power to the 2 switches for wall and flood lights

not sure on how it maybe wired up

 

[mikehammer69]

Were the outside wires terminated in a box or cut ends

Could indicate whether connected or not

 

[AFT4B]

so has that been OFF all the time, while no outside lights / wall lights ?



So do you have those and do they work

so if you turn the switch ON /OFF for the flood lights - does the pen change at all

how did he wire it all up this

Does this Breaker ONLY provide power to the 2 switches for wall and flood lights

not sure on how it maybe wired up

I only turned OFF the main switch whilst wiring the lights - then switched it back on once safe and to check. The breaker is for the whole house - as it's unoccupied, I didn't think to switch off down stairs lights only.

Sorry, I've not worded my original post correctly - none of the outside lights (floodlights and wall lights) were fitted.

Here is a photo of the switch.

 

[AFT4B]

Were the outside wires terminated in a box or cut ends

Could indicate whether connected or not

They were cut ends but heavily tapped up.

 

[pete01]

Are you sure the four sets aren't

supply in
supply out
Feed to light 1
Feed to light 2

 

[mikehammer69]

They were cut ends but heavily tapped up.

Not much help

Could be either connected or not

Bad practice to tape up connected ends

 

[AFT4B]

Are you sure the four sets aren't

supply in
supply out
Feed to light 1
Feed to light 2

I'm not sure of anything.

 

[AFT4B]

Video of me using the Voltage meter.

 

[pete01]

I think if you put all 4 blues together and all 4 browns together all the lights would be on permanently.

Then you'd just have to work out which 2 browns are the switch wires.

 

[AFT4B]

This is a crude drawing of the flood lights/ wall lights. And what I think is happening. Blue box is the switch

 

[AFT4B]

I think if you put all 4 blues together and all 4 browns together all the lights would be on permanently.

Then you'd just have to work out which 2 browns are the switch wires.

So you think the switch is wired incorrectly - that's the reason the light(s) is not coming on?

What about the voltage meter showing all lights at the outside wires?