Wiring confusion

[stuartridout]

Hi,

Am replacing a ceiling light. Have taken the ceiling rose cover off and am confused about what I see.

I thought that the red was Live but it's going into the N part of the rose. The wire coming out of it is blue which I think is neutral.
I thought that the black was Neutral but it's going into the L part of the rose. The wire coming out of it is brown which I think is live. There are two black cables going into the L part of the rose.

Please help so I don't kill myself!

Thanks
Stuart

 

[EngStudent]

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9569/chockblock3nk.gif

Edit: Ignore the markings on your rose. Red is live, black is neutral. The red on the far left of your picture is the switched live. Keep them connected together in the same way they are now in your new light.

The brown & blue wires are to your pendant.

 

[stuartridout]

Thanks for the diagram but that only restates my question really. Are the two black wires the neutral even though they are connected to a brown cable. Is the single red wire the live, even though it's connected to a blue wire?

Thanks
Stuart

 

[riveralt]

It looks as if you have two switch lives (black - which should have red sleeves on) going into the brown live terminal - this might suggest that you have another lamp or even an extractor fan linked to this light.

Also I cannot see what is attached to the blue neutral terminal.

 

[EngStudent]

Thanks for the diagram but that only restates my question really. Are the two black wires the neutral even though they are connected to a brown cable. Is the single red wire the live, even though it's connected to a blue wire?

Thanks
Stuart

The brown & blue wires go to your lampholder, yes? The brown & blue should be connected the other way around, but it doesn't really matter in this case. They're just the last bit in the circuit to get your light working.

The single red is the switched live, in the diagram I linked you to it's the black wire that goes to your switch.

 

[EngStudent]

It looks as if you have two switch lives (black - which should have red sleeves on) going into the brown live terminal - this might suggest that you have another lamp or even an extractor fan linked to this light.

Look again; he's got 2 blacks & 4 reds. His switch cable is red/red.

 

[cumbriahandyman]

In the switch the red is live and the black is live when switched on, called switched live. There is no neutral at the switch.

 

[riveralt]

It looks as if you have two switch lives (black - which should have red sleeves on) going into the brown live terminal - this might suggest that you have another lamp or even an extractor fan linked to this light.

Look again; he's got 2 blacks & 4 reds. His switch cable is red/red.

Indeed but he could have the two reds for the live loop - black/red for his switch and black/red to the second light.
The only way to know would be to check the switch and test otherwise it is guess work.

 

[bernardgreen]

The person who wired it has mixed up the plates ( terminal strips )

The lives ( loop in, loop out and switch ) are correct in the 3 hole centre plate.

The neutral ( loop in loop out and blue from lamp ) should be in the 3 hole plate on the left of the picture.

The switched live and brown from the lamp should be in the 2 hole plate on the right.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting

 

[stuartridout]

Thank you very much! The light is up, illuminated and no electrical shocks were sustained!

ban-all-sheds - your post was not helpful in the slightest! I'd read the wiki but the wiring I had did not match, hence my post.

 

[Monkeh]

I'd read the wiki but the wiring I had did not match

Yes it did. The wires don't care what colour they are.

 

[stuartridout]

All I wanted to do is check so I didn't cause any damage to myself. If people can't ask a question just to check for safety then what's the point of the forums?

I don't want to get into an argument with forum members so I apologise for any offence my post caused.

 

[dingbat]

ban-all-sheds - your post was not helpful in the slightest! I'd read the wiki but the wiring I had did not match, hence my post.

You're wiring is exactly as expected, apart from a very minor detail.

Ban will be very unhappy that you couldn't work this out yet proceeded to install a potential fire-starter in your infant's room.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

My position that nobody should carry out electrical work without a genuine understanding of everything they are doing ought to be shared by everyone here.