Advice on this wiring.

grumpy_codger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133838#Comment_82133838

Definitely one for an electrician IMO.

Definitely DIY IMO, especially if one has a multimeter or a reliable voltage tester.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133864#Comment_82133864

If H143 provides the additional info requested, and if he has some form of reliable tester tobesure, we can almost certainly confirm what the
supply wires are. He was seemingly - understandably - thrown by the unusual colours, and the extra wire, that's all.

With basic test equipment that can only really be done by some amount of working with live bare terminals. Working with live electrics is inherently dangerous, and should only be done by someone with technical competence to do so.

I don't wish to cause offence to anyone, but as this is a safety issue I feel it appropriate to point out it is axiomatic that someone with the technical competence to work with live mains electrics shouldn't need help from an internet forum working out which wire does what. If you know how to do the testing safely then you would know how to find the answer.

It is great that people on this site want to help people save money, but tutoring people to carry out extremely dangerous work on live electrics isn't moneysaving.

The money - and potentially life - saving choice in a situation like this is to pay a professional electrician who has the technical competence to do the work safely.

Heedtheadvice

Well said section62.

There are several real posters that have ( some) technical competence or more those who have a good idea and those who just guess ( and are no doubt trying to help) at the situations in question.

However posters and readers have only the ability to have a stab at others competence both to advise and conduct.

Folllowing suggestions of 'how to do it' can be a very bad idea especially where unjustifiable assumptions are made involving safety.

Maybe better to way up the cost in pounds to use a competent person vs the cost of an accident be it fire, rewire, shock loss of income or worse.

jimi_man

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133613#Comment_82133613

I'm not suggesting that the OP should guess at all, that would be daft. The OP, by his own admission, is happy doing his own wiring but wanted to know a bit more information about this which is unfamiliar to him. He asked what the wires do and I gave him the information. I would hope that they test the wires to find out what's what, but someone who does their own wiring should do that as a matter of course, the same as we would do. From a personal point of view I don't like electric shocks so I tend to be over cautious and test everything, but we're all adults here and I'm not telling the OP how to suck eggs, so what he does with the info is up to him.

Paying an electrician is one way of getting around the problem but then they'd never learn and would be reliant on paying people forever more, though some people are fine with that. Far better in my book to learn how to do it yourself and if the first step is to ask advice then great. Personally I'd have posted on an electricians forum rather than MSE but it's a start.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133906#Comment_82133906

What is a 'live bare terminal'? What the OP already has?

Yes, the exposed terminal strip shown carries a risk even in its current state, but the OP has already 'gone there', almost certainly - he can confirm - with the required understanding and care, and ideally with the power supply isolated. Even if he hadn't - yet - isolated the power supply, we can deduce - by the fact he managed to start this thread - that he did not touch any live wires. Ie, I think we can be pretty sure he ain't going to touch any of these metal bits, or remove any wires, until he has absolutely isolated the power supply, and ideally confirmed it's 'deed' by the use of a tester.

To test these terminals also does not require them to be exposed. So, the helpful folk on this forum could guide the guy how to 'test' the red and yellow, in particular, to confirm their liveness and switchedness.

Once informed of the status of each wire, he can then decide if he wants to continue to fit the camera thingy.

What next - "No, do NOT wire that plug! Do NOT change that light switch."?

The OP can confirm what he is capable of, and provide the additional info - or not. If he does not, it's self-fulfilling - he won't get assistance.

bjorn_toby_wilde

I don’t think we’re suggesting not to wire a plug or do basics. Knowing your own limitations is the key. If you’re not sure then get a professional in.

That was the point I was trying to make in my earlier post (although it flew over the head of a certain poster).

Is it DIYable? Yes for many of us.

If the OP is posting pictures on here and asking the question then that suggests to me that they should use an electrician. If they had a multimeter and the knowledge to use it wouldn’t they already have done the job rather than posting here?

grumpy_codger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82134358#Comment_82134358

Knowing your own limitations is the key. If you’re not sure then get a professional in.

Or ask for advice and learn something new. This doesn't exclude getting a professional if you still aren't sure.

Is it DIYable? Yes for many of us.

Well, where have these 'many of us' got their knowledge and skills?

Heedtheadvice

Some of us have got the knowledge and skills from formal education, training, practice, qualification and experience and thus competence.

Others jumped in and post, with good intentions, without the above, bodged it, made errors, have partial info, do not know the standards and do not know their limitations ( or what they should not be doing), how to test, diagnose, correct and repair, the consequences of what they do....safely for themselves and others who may come across the work later.

Those are two extremes but readers of threads have no idea of the competence of posters on the topic in question or if the suggestions (not advice ) is valid. It often is not valid based on poorly thought out assumptions and can lead to dangerous situations.

This comment is not aimed at any particular poster but we should take care with what we post especially if we are not competent.

MysteryMe

If there is doubt, this can easily become a FAFO job so get a qualified electrician in.