How to test a ceiling lights with a plug socket

[alitech]

Hi guys

Please don't kill me. I am not an electrician and this is possibly the very simplest of questions you will read today.

I got a custom light fitting created for me and I wanted to test it without having to get it installed on the ceiling first. There are a few bulb options and I wanted to see which bulb would look best on there which is why I wanted to test it.

I took the wires and put them into a UK plug, and put it into the socket. It doesn't work. Can someone please guide me on how I can test this? Is there anything additional I need to do with the wires for it to work with a plug socket?

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

I'm still hoping someone will come along and bail them out - there's nowhere else like Maplin on the high street where you can buy the sort of stuff they sold.

went in maplin's a couple of years ago. a 2.0AH alarm battery, usually about a tenner in wholesaler's... maplins price £39. 95. now that is taking the pi$$. no wonder they've gone bust.

 

[7029 dave]

I went to Maplin's some time back, was stuck for some 2.5mm t&e clips white, got me out of the plop.

 

[telectrix]

and a 5p fuse stuck in a sealed bag 75p.

 

[Adam W]

and Ryanair charge 2 and a half euros for a small tub of pringles, but when you're a little bit peckish and stuck in a metal tube at 30,000' what are you going to do?

 

[Dave OCD]

I went to Maplin's some time back, was stuck for some 2.5mm t&e clips white, got me out of the plop.

Still got some white 2.5, red and black cores Dave ?

 

[pirate]

I have!

 

[Pete999]

and Ryanair charge 2 and a half euros for a small tub of pringles, but when you're a little bit peckish and stuck in a metal tube at 30,000' what are you going to do?

Answer: take your own, bought from Tesco before the flight, been there Mate, know where you are coming from.

 

[Adam W]

Answer: take your own, bought from Tesco before the flight, been there Mate, know where you are coming from.

Personally I don't get the obsession with having to eat on a short haul flight (unless you have a medical condition of course) - worst case scenario you can eat at the airport, wait a couple of hours then eat at your destination airport. Maybe have a beer on the plane just because you can, but the point is your small can of beer costs 4 quid because they've got you by the short and curlies - it's not like you can nip out to the shop.

Same with Maplin - if you need a couple of resistors in a hurry, you need a fuse at 3pm on a Sunday, or a couple of metres of equipment wire, then you pay extra for the convenience. They might not be quite as bad as RS but Maplin's prices are pretty exorbitant; it is however reassuring to have them there if ever I need them.

 

[pirate]

My take on the flight eating/drinking thing is that when I fly, say, Ryanair, it's usually on my own, off-season from Edinburgh to Barcelona...with a return fare of £60 (£45 last time) I feel quite happy to buy a beverage or two...Can't get a return taxi to Glasgow for that from my house! (8 miles away)

 

[alitech]

Hi guys

Please see how I wired the plug to get the light to work with a plug socket. It doesnt work, what am I doing wrong?

Please be gentle.

Ali

 

[Pete999]

Hi guys

Please see how I wired the plug to get the light to work with a plug socket. It doesnt work, what am I doing wrong?

Please be gentle.

Ali
View attachment 41326 View attachment 41327 View attachment 41328

Too much copper showing, also the same with the cotton covering, cables to short.

 

[freddo]

That should still function for testing though, check the fuse. If not likely faulty light.

 

[Pete999]

That should still function for testing though, check the fuse. If not likely faulty light.

Well he did ask what he was doing wrong, didn't he? but yes you are correct.

 

[Pete999]

Hi guys

Please see how I wired the plug to get the light to work with a plug socket. It doesnt work, what am I doing wrong?

Please be gentle.

Ali
View attachment 41326 View attachment 41327 View attachment 41328

Try a new fuse!

 

[DPG]

Post a pic of the fitting itself. It hasn't got a switch built into it somewhere has it? A small push/pull or something?

 

[DPG]

Maplin used to be ideal when it was more aimed at electronics hobbyists, ie. before it became a copy of Tandy selling radio control cars and clocks.

At the head office at Wombwell (near Barnsley for any southerners out there) they had a trade counter that the public could use (if that makes sense!?).

The catalogue used to be a good source of reference as well. In the days when it had pages and pages of IC data, etc. ie. before it became a glossy Tandy catalogue full of radio control cars and clocks.

And don't forget the excellent artwork on the covers.

I've done reminiscing now!

 

[alitech]

ok people, i will get a fuse from the shops today

 

[alitech]

ok people, i will get a fuse from the shops today

Post a pic of the fitting itself. It hasn't got a switch built into it somewhere has it? A small push/pull or something?

No other switch, its supposed to be a ceiling light so connected to the mains.

I just want to test it

 

[DPG]

Let us know how you get on!

 

[telectrix]

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Adam W]

Again, it would probably help if you posted a picture of the whole light fitting - it could be that there's something really obvious amiss which nobody has thought of.
Nobody is going to steal your idea...