Lighting Not Working - Help!

[RJUK]

Hi folks, I've come here for a little help, after switching off my downstairs lighting circuit to change a light switch and then turning it back on to find that the back half of the house is now in darkness.

Basically, I wanted to add a WiFi switch for control of the living room lights, so switched the downstairs lighting circuit off on the RCD/fuse box and then unscrewed the light switch fitting. At this point the wife strolled back in and suggested doing the washing up, so I had to turn the lighting circuit back on so we could see in the kitchen. I hadn't yet disconnected any wires in the light switch, but had removed one of two living room ceiling lights to replace it. All wires for this light are exposed, but I made sure that none were touching.

The circuit breaker switched back on and stays in the "up" position, but none of the kitchen or dining room lights work. Only the front half of the house, including the remaining ceiling light in the living room. All other switches are in the "up" position too, so nothing has tripped.

What is likely to be the problem, and how do I fix it?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 104825]

Hi folks, I've come here for a little help, after switching off my downstairs lighting circuit to change a light switch and then turning it back on to find that the back half of the house is now in darkness.

Basically, I wanted to add a WiFi switch for control of the living room lights, so switched the downstairs lighting circuit off on the RCD/fuse box and then unscrewed the light switch fitting. At this point the wife strolled back in and suggested doing the washing up, so I had to turn the lighting circuit back on so we could see in the kitchen. I hadn't yet disconnected any wires in the light switch, but had removed one of two living room ceiling lights to replace it. All wires for this light are exposed, but I made sure that none were touching.

The circuit breaker switched back on and stays in the "up" position, but none of the kitchen or dining room lights work. Only the front half of the house, including the remaining ceiling light in the living room. All other switches are in the "up" position too, so nothing has tripped.

What is likely to be the problem, and how do I fix it?

Thanks

Get a dishwasher - sorry I'll get my coat.
Someone with a clue will be along shortly

 

[Wilko]

Hi RJ, one of the wires in the living room lights was probably an unswitched Live used to energise the next light along and you've probably disconnected it. Any chance you took a pic of the wires before changing anything?

 

[Des 56]

There seems to be only one change in circumstances that has happened to the wiring which is making the rear half dark suckers fail

One of the preceding lights has been disconnected and the supply to them has been lost
Logic my friend use logic

 

[static zap]

Or said wire ,is now acting as a neutral !
( that you don't have )

 

[buzzlightyear]

in order for the work to be done switch off the mcbs and call a spark out .

 

[RJUK]

Superb, thanks chaps. I suspected the missing light could be it, but not knowing how it all works I wasn't sure how or why that would be the case. All working again now. Thanks again.

One more question; can the below pictured switch be wired in where the other (already wired) switch is? If so, what wires am I putting where? I think the brown COM wire should go in L on the new switch, but what about L1 and L2? There only seems to be connections in L2 and N on the new switch. L1 and L3 are just holes...

 

[buzzlightyear]

that will never work because the switch that you where holding
is a two way switch .on the wifi switch you have a L L2 NUETRAL looking at the pictures

 

[PEG]

that will never work because the switch that you where holding
is a two way switch .on the wifi switch you have a L L2 NUETRAL looking at the pictures

Just when i had a handle on Brexit...you go and get me thinking about EU again...

But i think your star point reference may be accurate

 

[RJUK]

Ah damn, well that's that then. :-(

 

[telectrix]

the wi-fi switch will prhaps need to be fitted at the other 2 way switch position and the wiring reconfigured. you need a local electrician for this. too advanced for DIY.

 

[Octopus]

I wonder if the packaging or sales blurb for the wifi switch points out you need a neutral at the switch?

 

[RJUK]

Yes, it did. I took a look at another plug in the garage and thought a neutral wire was present. Guess I was wrong. Not really worth re-wiring the house to fit these things though.

 

[telectrix]

it may only be a simple job for an electrician. 1 -2 hours perhaps. depends on what cores you have at switches . might be easier to exchange the wi-fi switch for one that does not require a N.

 

[RJUK]

Thanks. The main issue we wanted the WiFi control for, was because it's a new build house and they put some of the switches in the most daft positions.

For example, the light switch in the garage is at the front, by the big up 'n' over door. Nothing next to the internal door that goes into the house, so we have to walk out into a dark garage and stumble around in the dark to find the switch at the front.

Another example is the main thoroughfare in the house - between kitchen and living room. Some genius thought it would be a good idea to omit a light switch for the kitchen here, so again you have to stumble into the kitchen, across to a door over the other side of the room, next to which the single switch is.

You'd think in a brand new build they'd have this stuff figured out. There's also two single switches right next to one another at the bottom of the stairs, one for the landing light and one for the downstairs hall light. At the top of the stairs there is a double gang switch that operates the same lights, so why have them separate at the bottom of the stairs?!

 

[RJUK]

it may only be a simple job for an electrician. 1 -2 hours perhaps. depends on what cores you have at switches . might be easier to exchange the wi-fi switch for one that does not require a N.

I assume it'll be a messy job though and require running wires between the switches and the light fixture? It's anew build house, so I'm not keen on tearing into the walls and ceiling. Think it might be easier to abandon the light switches altogether, unfortunately.

Is there somewhere on here to find good local electricians? I'm in Bristol and could do with somebody to add an additional switch in our garage and wire a light into our loft, but don't know how to go about finding somebody competent and reasonably priced.

 

[pirate]

You might like to look at this page:
Quinetic Wireless Switches - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Manufacturers/Quinetic/Quinetic/index.html
That would fix your problems provided you are ok with wiring in the receiver(s) and you could simpy replace the existing switches and pair them to the receiver(s). This way, without any wiring, you can have the light switches wherever you want.
You have separate switches at the bottom of the stairs because that's what the spark had left in his van...bludi new-builds, I hate them!

 

[RJUK]

Bit annoying that they just install two separate boxes in the wall rather than order a double switch in, but can't say I'm surprised.

Thanks for the link to the switch, I had already seen similar on Amazon and was considering them.

If I bought one for the garage, wired the receiver in and put it by the inner door of the garage, would the existing lightweight by the front up 'n' over door still work in conjunction with it? Or would I have to buy two of these switches and connect both to the receiver, removing the existing switch in the process?

Thanks.

 

[Pete999]

Hi folks, I've come here for a little help, after switching off my downstairs lighting circuit to change a light switch and then turning it back on to find that the back half of the house is now in darkness.

Basically, I wanted to add a WiFi switch for control of the living room lights, so switched the downstairs lighting circuit off on the RCD/fuse box and then unscrewed the light switch fitting. At this point the wife strolled back in and suggested doing the washing up, so I had to turn the lighting circuit back on so we could see in the kitchen. I hadn't yet disconnected any wires in the light switch, but had removed one of two living room ceiling lights to replace it. All wires for this light are exposed, but I made sure that none were touching.

The circuit breaker switched back on and stays in the "up" position, but none of the kitchen or dining room lights work. Only the front half of the house, including the remaining ceiling light in the living room. All other switches are in the "up" position too, so nothing has tripped.

What is likely to be the problem, and how do I fix it?

Thanks

Time to call an Electrician by the sound of things.

 

[pirate]

No, if you use these switches you can't continue to use the "normal" switch (actually, there is a way but it involves an extra feed and gubbins and isn't worth the hassle).
FWIW, I would buy 1 receiver and 2 single gang switches. Fit 1 switch near the back door, either inside the garage or in the house by the access door, and fit the second one in place of the existing switch. The existing back box can be used to mount this second switch, using one of these:
Quinetic Flush Box Adaptor - (optional) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QURCP.html
and you can just screw or stick the other one to the wall in accordance with the instructions...it's very easy.
You absolutely must be able to isolate the supply to the garage light and check it is safe to work on, obviously.
The receiver just "splices" into the cable for the light, anywhere convenient, usually by the lightfitting itself, but in a garage the aesthetics don't matter much, so wherever is handy. It's useful not to tuck it too far out of the way as occasionally you might need access to the receiver to re-pair it with a switch.
You will appreciate that the existing switch has to come out and the circuit completed; usually that can be done in the existing back box, keeping it all neat, and allowing for re-instatement at a later date if required. Alternatively, you can leave the existing switch in situ and mount the new one wherever suits, but the old one has to be left "on" all the time, obviously. If it is accidentally switched off, the new switches will probably have to be re-paired when power is restored.
Tip: Install receiver and pair the switches before you finally mount them as you have to flick the switch on and off while the pairing light flashes on the receiver.

 

[RJUK]

Great, thanks for the advice. The garage is on the ground floor lighting ring, so can be isolated with the same switch used for the living room ceiling lights, so no issue there. I also replaced the light fitting a while back with an LED tube, so have accessed the wiring before.

Shame the switches aren't available in the same style as the switches in the house, as I'd use one in the kitchen as well. Not sure I want to change all the switches though, nor have an odd one out.

Thanks again for the comprehensive reply. Should help with the garage lighting issues.

 

[telectrix]

you have a forum member in your area...sparkychick. ...she's reliable and honest.maybe a pm would rouse her from her slumbers.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Nothing next to the internal door that goes into the house, so we have to walk out into a dark garage and stumble around in the dark to find the switch at the front

not got one of those then!

 

[elsparko]

You might like to look at this page:
Quinetic Wireless Switches - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Manufacturers/Quinetic/Quinetic/index.html
That would fix your problems provided you are ok with wiring in the receiver(s) and you could simpy replace the existing switches and pair them to the receiver(s). This way, without any wiring, you can have the light switches wherever you want.
You have separate switches at the bottom of the stairs because that's what the spark had left in his van...bludi new-builds, I hate them!

could be seperate circuits? bottom of the stairs is probably downstairs hallway and then the 2way for the upstairs lighting

 

[RJUK]

not got one of those then!View attachment 39530

Sure, but it's not the best or neatest solution. It means leaving a torch I. The worktop in the utility room and still having to walk to the light switch. A switch by the door would be far more convenient. We go out in the garage a minimum of twice a day because we keep rabbits out there, along with everything else the garage is used for. The more convenient, the better.

could be seperate circuits? bottom of the stairs is probably downstairs hallway and then the 2way for the upstairs lighting

No, both sets of switches operate the same lights. They both operate the downstairs hallway light and the upstairs landing light. Only difference is that one is a double switch and the other is two separate singles. The wiring in this place is generally a bit odd though. Having no light switch between the kitchen and living room is the most ridiculous omission, but naturally the builder doesn't want to sort it.

 

[buzzlightyear]

RJUK, why don't you pm sparkychick she is the nearest to you on this forum .the possible for her to put a out side light near you garage or light at the back door leading to your garage.
and don't forget we are not magicians.

 

[RJUK]

Will do. There's a few lights and switches that could do with going in, so will give her a shout.

 

[buzzlightyear]

good man, don't forget you will have to pay the piper!

 

[RJUK]

What, you mean electricians don't work for free?!

 

[buzzlightyear]

correct .

 

[elsparko]

Sure, but it's not the best or neatest solution. It means leaving a torch I. The worktop in the utility room and still having to walk to the light switch. A switch by the door would be far more convenient. We go out in the garage a minimum of twice a day because we keep rabbits out there, along with everything else the garage is used for. The more convenient, the better.


No, both sets of switches operate the same lights. They both operate the downstairs hallway light and the upstairs landing light. Only difference is that one is a double switch and the other is two separate singles. The wiring in this place is generally a bit odd though. Having no light switch between the kitchen and living room is the most ridiculous omission, but naturally the builder doesn't want to sort it.

sounds like your house was wired exactly to what the architects drawings stated, is lighting just 1 circuit? or is 1 of the hallways included in the up/down stairs lighting circuit and the bedrooms on another?

if youre not fussed about a bit of redecorating in the garage id just allow for patches to be taken out to hide the cables in the garage if you decide to hard wire them in, or could go for the council house favourite of trunking

 

[elsparko]

correct .

you charge family members? :O

 

[SparkyChick]

And I have replied

 

[elsparko]

good man, don't forget you will have to pay the piper!

we did a job for an elderly chap, so gave him a bit of discount, spent most of the day clearing his junk out of the kitchen just to wire in the hob, comes time to pay so my bosses heart strings are pulled and he basically halfs the price, dude goes into 1 of several jackets and pulls out about 2 grand in 20s!!!

 

[Octopus]

you charge family members? :O

Absolutely ...

 

[elsparko]

Absolutely ...

i suppose if i did a bigger job other than swapping light fittings over id charge them lol

 

[Octopus]

i suppose if i did a bigger job other than swapping light fittings over id charge them lol

When you have a brother in law with 3 Ferraris, a BMW i8 and a top of the range 7 series NOTHING comes free.

 

[elsparko]

When you have a brother in law with 3 Ferraris, a BMW i8 and a top of the range 7 series NOTHING comes free.

sadly my brother inlaw drives an insignia

 

[buzzlightyear]

And I have replied

always help fellow spark out.

 

[SparkyChick]

always help fellow spark out.

I know, thank you. Bristol is a bit far though but I have passed on the details of a friend of mine much nearer

 

[Pete999]

I know, thank you. Bristol is a bit far though but I have passed on the details of a friend of mine much nearer

SC you don't want to venture to that neck of the wood me babber, they all talk funny and have strange habits, trust me I know, I was that spark who worked there, had to get out fo fear of growing 6 fingers.

 

[RJUK]

sounds like your house was wired exactly to what the architects drawings stated, is lighting just 1 circuit? or is 1 of the hallways included in the up/down stairs lighting circuit and the bedrooms on another?

if youre not fussed about a bit of redecorating in the garage id just allow for patches to be taken out to hide the cables in the garage if you decide to hard wire them in, or could go for the council house favourite of trunking

Well inside the garage is bare breeze blocks, so the existing wiring is all exposed apart from a bit of trunking coming down from ceiling level to the switch (albeit there is no ceiling, which is why you can see the wires). It's probably an easy job for somebody who knows what they're doing.

SC you don't want to venture to that neck of the wood me babber, they all talk funny and have strange habits, trust me I know, I was that spark who worked there, had to get out fo fear of growing 6 fingers.

You only have 5 fingers? I have 8 and two thumbs.

 

[elsparko]

Well inside the garage is bare breeze blocks, so the existing wiring is all exposed apart from a bit of trunking coming down from ceiling level to the switch (albeit there is no ceiling, which is why you can see the wires). It's probably an easy job for somebody who knows what they're doing.


You only have 5 fingers? I have 8 and two thumbs.

if its exposed woodwork its a few hours/half day of work depending on size of garage, wouldnt be too hard too do, anything is possible