Unable to replace outdoor light due to unfamiliar wiring- your thoughts

tekie

I was trying to replace my garden light fitted on the outer wall of the house, but when I removed it, I was presented with 4 different cables - I believe Brown(L) and Black (N),
if Grey is earth why there is a 4th cable - exposed cable doing out there, please see the photos from the back of the switch and wall box - please note there is no earth connector on the back of the power switch.  So if someone could point me the right direction and solve this mystery
I need to know which cable represents Earth and whats the role of the exposed cable out there.?  The outdoor light switch is controlled by this one switch and its not a 2 way switch.   Thanks in advance

grumbler

My educated guess (based on the switch wiring):

• brown wire with  the terminal block outside is permanent live and  wasn't connected to the light.
• black wire with brown sleeve is switched live
• grey wire with blue sleeve is neutral

Naked wire is, of course, earth.

Jeepers_Creepers

As Grumbler says is my best guess too. One possible proviso - the brown behind the light could be a 'permanent' Live. How many of these wires were actually connected to the light fitting, and what type was it?

If the light fitting was a PIR type, then it would likely also need a Permanent Live for it to work, and then the 'Switched Live' - (Possibly Black in this case (if that's what it is) - would be used to override the light whenever needed.

The GREY is almost certainly the Neutral - it is connected to the blue behind the switch, and is also sleeved in blue behind the light.

Could you provide a wider shot of the switch so show the backbox AND the light switch in the same photo? That should help to clarify.

Jeepers_Creepers

(There IS an earth wire in the back of the switch - it's connected to the metal backbox as it should be. Please be certain to also connect this to the new light fitting if it needs it.)

tekie

Jeepers_Creepers said:

As Grumbler says is my best guess too. One possible proviso - the brown behind the light could be a 'permanent' Live. How many of these wires were actually connected to the light fitting, and what type was it?

If the light fitting was a PIR type, then it would likely also need a Permanent Live for it to work, and then the 'Switched Live' - (Possibly Black in this case (if that's what it is) - would be used to override the light whenever needed.

The GREY is almost certainly the Neutral - it is connected to the blue behind the switch, and is also sleeved in blue behind the light.

Could you provide a wider shot of the switch so show the backbox AND the light switch in the same photo? That should help to clarify.

Thanks for your reply, please see the new photos 

tekie

my plan is to replace it with a new floodlight cam from eufy, see the photo as attached.  
The power switch that controls the light is a standard one, and when it's switched off PIR never used to work the mode of operation was to leave it switched on for the light and PIR to work.  If I need the light permanently on I'll have to switch it off and switch it back on immediately then it's permanently on.  If I leave it off for 2 minutes then switch it on the light will go off after 120 seconds and only works against PIR activation.  So I was wondering whether permanent live was able to the job, given the power switch configuration that it was set to?

Swasterix

tekie said:

my plan is to replace it with a new floodlight cam from eufy, see the photo as attached.  
The power switch that controls the light is a standard one, and when it's switched off PIR never used to work the mode of operation was to leave it switched on for the light and PIR to work.  If I need the light permanently on I'll have to switch it off and switch it back on immediately then it's permanently on.  If I leave it off for 2 minutes then switch it on the light will go off after 120 seconds and only works against PIR activation.  So I was wondering whether permanent live was able to the job, given the power switch configuration that it was set to?

That’s how it’s designed to work, so you have the option of either PIR or always on. My light is similar. Switch it on- permanent on, switch it off and on in quick succession- PIR, switch it off- well... off

I have it connected to SL, N and E. that way I am able to switch it off if the need arises. If you connected to the permanent live then you will be unable to switch it off without physically disconnecting the wires. 

***obviously (i hope you are aware) switching the light switch does not electrically isolate the unit***

tekie

Swasterix said:

tekie said:

my plan is to replace it with a new floodlight cam from eufy, see the photo as attached.  
The power switch that controls the light is a standard one, and when it's switched off PIR never used to work the mode of operation was to leave it switched on for the light and PIR to work.  If I need the light permanently on I'll have to switch it off and switch it back on immediately then it's permanently on.  If I leave it off for 2 minutes then switch it on the light will go off after 120 seconds and only works against PIR activation.  So I was wondering whether permanent live was able to the job, given the power switch configuration that it was set to?

That’s how it’s designed to work, so you have the option of either PIR or always on. My light is similar. Switch it on- permanent on, switch it off and on in quick succession- PIR, switch it off- well... off

I have it connected to SL, N and E. that way I am able to switch it off if the need arises. If you connected to the permanent live then you will be unable to switch it off without physically disconnecting the wires. 

***obviously (i hope you are aware) switching the light switch does not electrically isolate the unit***

please see the photos attached

tekie

Swasterix said:

tekie said:

my plan is to replace it with a new floodlight cam from eufy, see the photo as attached.  
The power switch that controls the light is a standard one, and when it's switched off PIR never used to work the mode of operation was to leave it switched on for the light and PIR to work.  If I need the light permanently on I'll have to switch it off and switch it back on immediately then it's permanently on.  If I leave it off for 2 minutes then switch it on the light will go off after 120 seconds and only works against PIR activation.  So I was wondering whether permanent live was able to the job, given the power switch configuration that it was set to?

That’s how it’s designed to work, so you have the option of either PIR or always on. My light is similar. Switch it on- permanent on, switch it off and on in quick succession- PIR, switch it off- well... off

I have it connected to SL, N and E. that way I am able to switch it off if the need arises. If you connected to the permanent live then you will be unable to switch it off without physically disconnecting the wires. 

***obviously (i hope you are aware) switching the light switch does not electrically isolate the unit***

Thanks for the clarification, so when connecting my new light I should match them as
Brown wire from new light will attach to black
Blue from new light will attach to grey
Green/Yellow (earth) from new light will attach to the exposed cable 

Does that sound right?

Swasterix

To be totally honest, given your initial assessment of the wiring configuration and after the guidance you’ve been offered in the subsequent posts, if you still don’t understand what should be done you may be better off leaving it to a professional. Please don’t think I am being rude, but obviously incorrectly installed electrical equipment can be very dangerous, especially outdoors! 

Consult an electrician. 

tekie

Swasterix said:

To be totally honest, given your initial assessment of the wiring configuration and after the guidance you’ve been offered in the subsequent posts, if you still don’t understand what should be done you may be better off leaving it to a professional. Please don’t think I am being rude, but obviously incorrectly installed electrical equipment can be very dangerous, especially outdoors! 

Consult an electrician. 

I've only asked for an affirmation for my conclusion, that doesn't mean that I'm a complete novice.

I haven't come across such a configuration before, I've asked at least 2 of my mates who know and do DIY work of their own,
but even they couldn't figure it out. They are not electricians by any means.  So far everyone on these forums was really helpful and if you don't want to help out, please don't but there is no need to offend when someone is trying to figure out a solution. If I were to hire an electrician they are not going to post the issue on this forum. I don't know whether you noticed, the main purpose of this site is for money-saving, and that's the primary reason people are attracted to this website and I don't have 100s of pounds to spend on electrician' fee.  When someone starts a conversation by saying don't take it personal or rude, they are doing exactly the opposite.
by the way, I was responding to Jeepers_Creepers request to post further photos, so I'm waiting for him to respond to my query.