UK OLD LIGHT WIRES TO NEW LIGHT FITTING

[John Dover]

Hey everyone, apologies as I know a few posts like this have been done already but my one is "slightly" different.

Basically im replacing a light fitting and...er didnt take a photo of where the wires were connected. :-(

So now im left with a lot of wires....

I kind of know what to do but am unsure with some of the wires colours.

I have three green and yellow blocked off.
And left over I have:

1 x Black wire with blue over coat
1 x Black wire with brown over coat
2 x Black wire (plain)
4 x red wires

The new light is one with just a standard Live, Neutral, Earth connectors.


Any ideas?

[Alan H]

4 reds all together in block/wago

2 plain blacks and black with blue coat together, this is light neutral

Black with brown coat, this is light live

Connect all earth's to green,/yellows

Not responsible if you do this with out testing first

[John Dover]

Thanks Alan, Much appreciated!

Dont worry i wont hold you responsible! Wish me luck!

[Alan H]

Hope your not near Hearthrow

[dhutch]

Alan H said:

4 reds all together in block/wago

2 plain blacks and black with blue coat together, this is light neutral

Black with brown coat, this is light live

Connect all earth's to green,/yellows

Not responsible if you do this with out testing first

I agree with this.

Almost certainly they are three twin and earth cables, if you were able to see far enough back to see the grey outer sheath.

What you have it the loop feed coming in from the supply (red and black, live and neutral) and then going our to supply the next light. So that's two pairs+earths
.
Then you have another twin and earth which goes down to the light fitting, using the red to supply live to the switch, and the black (sleaved brown) to return the switched live to the light. Because you cant get 2x live and earth cable.

Good luck....

[John Dover]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated for all the help/advice.

I did do it after many hours of struggling and it didn't work....

But I was rushing it due to the ever decreasing daylight. So today I'm going to start again.

However another problem I do encounter is the space in the light fitting itself isnt big enough to house all the old, mega tough wires and boxes.


Is there a way to post pictures on here btw?

[Mr Pointy]

When you are composing a post there is an Upload an Image function below the row of smilies.

[Alan H]

[Baldchap]

Do you have access to a multimeter?

If you do, pop the switch off and chuck a wago across the wires (or turn it on if known good and 100% sure which way is on), then check for continuity on the suspected switch wires. I assume you can see which one is the actual bulb, so that only leaves the lighting circuit.

Turn off the breaker first, mind...

[John Dover]

Thanks Alan,

I appear to not have that option. Wonder if its because I'm new to the forum/New account etc

All I have is Formatting Help, Smilies and Rules of Posting.

Not to worry, was only showing a picture so you can see the battle itself!

[John Dover]

Thanks Baldchap. No multimetre though I'm afraid.


But I do think I've just made a mistake somewhere because Ive fitted one of these lights before with the same old wires.

Doesn't help the fact Ive got to balance on two chairs to reach the bloody thing in this room though! Ha ha!

[Alan H]

A picture paints a thousand words

[Baldchap]

Where are you geographically? A local PHer with a multimeter might be able to assist.

[John Dover]

Thanks Alan, that drawing has helped a lot!

But guess what...still no working light. Im well confused!

So now I'm going to double check the light switch itself. Thats the only thing I think it can be now, Cant do much else with the wires!

[John Dover]

Baldchap said:

Where are you geographically? A local PHer with a multimeter might be able to assist.

Im based in the U.K, Liverpool to be exact.

Have messaged an electrician who can come at some point in the week but know thats going to set me back £££!

Determined to get it sorted before then!

Edited by John Dover on Saturday 22 March 15:57

[John Dover]

Can i send someone an email on here with a picture of both the wires and the light fitting? Then you can post it on here if you wish.
I have to wait 14 days before i can post a picture or link.

[miniman]

Alan H said:

A picture paints a thousand words

In that scenario, how is there any positive feed to the light?

[Belle427]

Email me if you like, you can do this by clicking on the posters username.

[Alan H]

miniman said:

In that scenario, how is there any positive feed to the light?

Though a thing called a switch

Edited by Alan H on Saturday 22 March 17:49

[Alan H]

Do you know if your new light fitting works.

If all the lights are working in the rest of the house and you are not tripping breakers replace your new fitting with one of these with a known working bulb