Wiring problems Damsel in Distress

saraloubee

Does anyone know how to identify the black switched wire in a loop if it hasn;t been marked with a red tag.
I have no specialist equipment as I do believe you can get something that will test this.
I'm trying to wire a centre pendant light which has four lots of grey cable - three contain black red and earth wires the other has a blue red and earth wire - all very confusing - any advice welcome.:A

baldelectrician

try this weblink


http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7553

advent1122

saraloubee wrote:

Does anyone know how to identify the black switched wire in a loop if it hasn;t been marked with a red tag.
I have no specialist equipment as I do believe you can get something that will test this.
I'm trying to wire a centre pendant light which has four lots of grey cable - three contain black red and earth wires the other has a blue red and earth wire - all very confusing - any advice welcome.:A

If you are finding it confusing then get someone in who knows what they are doing.
Electricity is not to be messed with.

saraloubee

I understand that electricity is not to be messed with - I'm not messing with it - I'm trying to wire up a light that just has a few more connections that usual and the black switched wire has not been tagged - all my previous wiring has been a success. The reason I'm posting this thread is to avoid having to pay a call out fee!

baldelectrician

Sorry for the slightly vague post, I have been specifically told by my insurance company NOT to give out advise over the phone.
(I am presuming the same thing applies to an open forum)

If I tell someone what wires go where (they may not in your house as it may not be wired to standard practise) and they blow themselves, or another up, or burn their house down- I could be sued.

This is a way society is going, unfortunately

Just as a footnote, went to a similar job last week, total cost to customer £35, and they paid by credit card.

Darkroom

Can't tell from your description of the wires but normally the switched live will be going to one of the end terminals of the ceiling rose. Ignore all the blacks that are connected together at the rose (look closely at the terminals and you'll see a block of 3 that are common) - these will just be the common neutrals.

Buy a electrical mains testing screwdriver (about £1.50) - the type that have a neon that lights up when you touch a bare live wire with it. Hold it in turn to one of the remaining blacks and flick the light switch. If the screwdriver neon lights up as you turn the switch on and off then you've found the switched live.

If all the wires have been disconnected from the rose you'll need to buy a cheap multimeter to discover which one it is.

Come back here or pm if you need further help

saraloubee

baldelectrician wrote:

Sorry for the slightly vague post, I have been specifically told by my insurance company NOT to give out advise over the phone.
(I am presuming the same thing applies to an open forum)

If I tell someone what wires go where (they may not in your house as it may not be wired to standard practise) and they blow themselves, or another up, or burn their house down- I could be sued.

This is a way society is going, unfortunately

Just as a footnote, went to a similar job last week, total cost to customer £35, and they paid by credit card.

I appreciate your help it's good of you - I'm actually moving house so I'm replacing my nice light fittings with the bog standard plastic ones. - I have about eight to do but this one is the most complicated. Been quoted £175 by one bloke or £55 an hour for approx four hours by a firm - so reluctant to pay out that much!

saraloubee

Hi
Yes the wiring has already been removed from the rose so looks like a cheap multimeter it is. Many thanks..

flang

The best thing to do when replacing ceiling roses to spot lights etc is to cut away the celing rose until the connection blocks are left, then just wire each wire a new connection block.
This saves things getting confusing!!!

flang

Seriously though if your unsure which cables which then leave it to a professional.
The amount of times ive been called out be neighbours etc where they had forgotton where the cables go is increadble! and im not even an electrician!!!

i always say if your confident to do the job do it if your not leave it!