Please help

[Steviec57]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I wonder if anyone out there can help me sort my dilemma?

I'm having to ('coz the Wife said!) fit a new light fitting. I've done this before but I don't remember it being this complicated.

I've attached a photo of my problem. there are 3 cables coming out of the ceiling, I only need 3 wires I think.

Could somebody help me please?

Cheers

Steve

 

[betty swollocks]

The three red wires needs connecting together ( sometimes there is a 'spare' connector on the light fitting sometimes there isnt) after connecting together they do not play any other part in the light fitting

The two black wires should be placed together in the 'neutral' N connection on the new light fitting

The black wire with red marking should be placed in the 'live' L connection of the new light fitting

The green earth wires should be placed together in the earth E connection of new light

Job done lots of smiles from the wife

 

[ProDave]

You are lucky that someone marked the switched live with the red sleeving. Very often they don't do that.

For anyone reading this thread, the important thing is to look at the wiring BEFORE you remove the old light fitting and draw a diagram of how the old fitting is wired. If in doubt, label the wires in some way so you know which is which.

 

[Sharpend]

Come on Dave you're asking a bit much there aren't you? Expecting people to think before they act, that's so out dated.

 

[Brian 157]

I remember a call out where the customer had taken his own light down and got to the same point, he was baffled that there had been a "pop" and all the other upstairs lights had gone out, "must be something wrong with the wiring..."

If any DIYers are reading this, remember to switch off the MCB/remove the fuse, turning the switch off is not enough. Better still, call out an electrician.

 

[septiclecky]

It's that old cliche I don't need an electrician I can do it my self, then when they do take it down and then put it back up it's all reds together, all blacks together, all G/Y together put MCB/Fuse back in turn switch on and BANG.

It's nothing I have done must be something wrong with the wiring.

 

[betty swollocks]

Red to red

Black to black

Blue to ffff...

 

[a1]

Don't forget the aim of this forum guys.

 

[m4tty]

How lucky is the op that the black switch return was sleeved ? Lol

 

[batty]

Get the rev to sort it how much does he charge?

 

[kerching]

This is another reason that God fitted cameras to mobile phones........ :coat

 

[Steviec57]

The three red wires needs connecting together ( sometimes there is a 'spare' connector on the light fitting sometimes there isnt) after connecting together they do not play any other part in the light fittingThe two black wires should be placed together in the 'neutral' N connection on the new light fitting

The black wire with red marking should be placed in the 'live' L connection of the new light fitting

The green earth wires should be placed together in the earth E connection of new light

Job done lots of smiles from the wife

Cheers Betty - all went well with no charred parts! Thanks again

 

[OnOff]

Betty! :slap :slap

 

[philip.jones]

I couldn't agree more with Kerching, I am a keen DIYer myself. I always take a quick snap with my phone before touching any wiring. If I am in any doubt after that I call an electrician. It costs more if they have to sort out your BODGE.

 

[Doc Hudson]

I couldn't agree more with Kerching, I am a keen DIYer myself. I always take a quick snap with my phone before touching any wiring. If I am in any doubt after that I call an electrician. It costs more if they have to sort out your BODGE.

Welcome to the forum, also a permanent marker pen can be very useful to put individual identification on cables especially if you have three or four Grey twin and earth cables all appearing through the ceiling.

Doc H.

 

[OnOff]

Welcome to the forum, also a permanent marker pen can be very useful to put individual identification on cables especially if you have three or four Grey twin and earth cables all appearing through the ceiling.Doc H.

I'm that sad that I tend to mark both sides of the cable with me Sharpie marker pen!

 

[philip.jones]

As they say in the trade "It is always better to be safe than sorry".