Problem with DIY light fitting

Section62

Alderbank said:

I think some of us (including me) have made assumptions which are not correct.

My assumption/view was -

"As there is no dimmer switch involved it really needs a professional electrician to investigate what is going on. The fault could be a serious one and potentially have a fatal outcome."

That's not changed with any of the additional information and picture.

TuppenceWorth

grumbler said:

chris_n said:

There should be no copper showing on the earth

If it's really a requirement, then it's a stupid one, at least in this case where the earth wire is connected directly to the metal casing.
And, quite possible, it's not DIY as it looks like these wires came with the lamp. I don't understand what TuppenceWorth wanted to show with this meaningless photo.

Well..

I was told to supply pictures of the wiring. 
I decided against taking a claw hammer to the walls to take pictures of all the wiring behind, I took a pic of the visible wires. 
I was asked to do this 🙂

TuppenceWorth

It's the small screw type.
With one of these halogen bulbs in place everything works ok.

Other bulbs are LED.

DanDare999

grumbler said:

chris_n said:

There should be no copper showing on the earth

If it's really a requirement, then it's a stupid one, at least in this case where the earth wire is connected directly to the metal casing.
And, quite possible, it's not DIY as it looks like these wires came with the lamp. I don't understand what TuppenceWorth wanted to show with this meaningless photo.

Looks like heat sleeve over cable and a proper DIY bodge. 

grumbler

TuppenceWorth said:

grumbler said:

chris_n said:

There should be no copper showing on the earth

If it's really a requirement, then it's a stupid one, at least in this case where the earth wire is connected directly to the metal casing.
And, quite possible, it's not DIY as it looks like these wires came with the lamp. I don't understand what TuppenceWorth wanted to show with this meaningless photo.

Well..

I was told to supply pictures of the wiring. 
I decided against taking a claw hammer to the walls to take pictures of all the wiring behind, I took a pic of the visible wires. 
I was asked to do this 🙂

Are you saying that the flexible wires with white textile sleeves are buried in the wall? That only three wires come out of the wall for each lamp?

If so, this wiring makes no sense to me and, IMO, you really need help from a professional.

It's simply impossible to make an error connecting blue to blue, brown to brown and earth to earth.

TuppenceWorth

Thanks everyone.

Yes, three wires from the wall (with white sleeves). 
All I did was replace like for like. I didnt make any wiring changes.

Consensus is clear that I need a professional and will arrange for this.
Thanks again.

DanDare999

TuppenceWorth said:

Thanks everyone.

Yes, three wires from the wall (with white sleeves). 
All I did was replace like for like. I didnt make any wiring changes.

Consensus is clear that I need a professional and will arrange for this.
Thanks again.

You need to sort the connections out.

grumbler

DanDare999 said:

TuppenceWorth said:

Thanks everyone.

Yes, three wires from the wall (with white sleeves). 
All I did was replace like for like. I didnt make any wiring changes.

Consensus is clear that I need a professional and will arrange for this.
Thanks again.

You need to sort the connections out.

I don't understand what you mean and I think neither does the OP.

In short, if three lamps are controlled by one switch, I'd expect

• one set of three cores for the last one, two sets for other two lamps, two sets for the switch

OR

• one + two + three + one

If it's really only one set for each lamp then it's either a junction box somewhere (hopefully accessible) or four(!!) sets  in the switch backbox.

In the latter case either the junction box or the switch are the most likely suspects.

DanDare999

grumbler said:

DanDare999 said:

TuppenceWorth said:

Thanks everyone.

Yes, three wires from the wall (with white sleeves). 
All I did was replace like for like. I didnt make any wiring changes.

Consensus is clear that I need a professional and will arrange for this.
Thanks again.

You need to sort the connections out.

I don't understand what you mean and I think neither does the OP.

In short, if three lamps are controlled by one switch, I'd expect

• one set of three cores for the last one, two sets for other two lamps, two sets for the switch

OR

• one + two + three + one

If it's really only one set for each lamp then it's either a junction box somewhere (hopefully accessible) or four(!!) sets  in the switch backbox.

In the latter case either the junction box or the switch are the most likely suspects.

Then you're not in a position to give advice and the OP should ignore you. 

grumbler

DanDare999 said:

grumbler said:

DanDare999 said:

TuppenceWorth said:

Thanks everyone.

Yes, three wires from the wall (with white sleeves). 
All I did was replace like for like. I didnt make any wiring changes.

Consensus is clear that I need a professional and will arrange for this.
Thanks again.

You need to sort the connections out.

I don't understand what you mean and I think neither does the OP.

In short, if three lamps are controlled by one switch, I'd expect

• one set of three cores for the last one, two sets for other two lamps, two sets for the switch

OR

• one + two + three + one

If it's really only one set for each lamp then it's either a junction box somewhere (hopefully accessible) or four(!!) sets  in the switch backbox.

In the latter case either the junction box or the switch are the most likely suspects.

Then you're not in a position to give advice and the OP should ignore you. 

No, it's you who is in a position to give a more clear advice than "to sort the connections out".

What "connections" and sorted by whom?