Security Light Nightmare

[cyberjunction]

Evening Guys

Need some "light" shedding if possible on a PME Installtion

About to change a secuirty light which is wired to the light circuit.

Live to Neutral 0V
Live to Earth 230V
Neutral to Earth 230V worrying

The cabling is almost impossible to trace it goes into the wall down and "disappears." I have lifted the boards I can get to but now need to start knocking the wall down to physically trace the cable.

Turning off the light circuit downstairs I get 0V so its definately connected to that circuit . Killing the sockets has no effect

I get continuity for earth and line to the nearest light fitting but not for neutral.

New consumer Unit Installed about 6 months ago , but not sure if the light was working before that. Any suggestions welcome.

Just to confirm the light is wired to a 3 way light switch for the hall and landing but only the line is connected, there seems not to be a return to the light yet it still functions by switching the switch so totally at a lost.

All voltage light fittings downstairs are correct.

Still a newbie so be gentle

Any advice appreciated.
Many thanks


Thinking about just cutting and replacing but would rather solve the issue.

 

[Marvo]

Sounds like the live and neutral may be reversed, the usual tests would confirm if this were the case. You're probably going to need to trace the cable. If it's difficult then try with a tone set and receiver.

 

[cyberjunction]

that was my initial thought but I dont get continuity between neutral on lamp and earth in light circuit ( if that makes sense )

 

[Des 56]

ouch missed those readings

 

[fuzzydunlop]

Read it back, it's school boy stuff

Did you do 2330?

 

[cyberjunction]

no got laid off work and learning the hard way, I dont class my self as any kind of sparky, did 17th edition part p etc which is why i am new to this

 

[cyberjunction]

ouch missed those readings

that was my concern

 

[fuzzydunlop]

no got laid off work and learning the hard way, I dont class my self as any kind of sparky, did 17th edition part p etc which is why i am new to this

.......

 

[alarm man]

sorry but anyone advising this guy is mad,its clear he isnt a spark of any form and quite frankly is very dangerous..imo

 

[trev]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Alarm man on this one. If this is a job then you should not be doing it as you don't appear to have the expertise to carry it out safely and successfully.
I appreciate that money may be tight right now, and I applaud your willingness to have a go but getting an electrician in will not cost a great deal and will give you peace of mind.
One question I always ask in similar situations is, would you be willing to repipe the gas supply to your central heating boiler?

 

[cyberjunction]

sorry but anyone advising this guy is mad,its clear he isnt a spark of any form and quite frankly is very dangerous..imo

thanks I am not a spark as many people on here know. I did intensive course to get my foot on the ladder and am a member of elecsa, I have done many C/U changes, shower, cooker installs etc but lack on the job experience. I was just after some advice.

 

[alarm man]

thanks I am not a spark as many people on here know. I did intensive course to get my foot on the ladder and am a member of elecsa, I have done many C/U changes, shower, cooker installs etc but lack on the job experience. I was just after some advice.

thats the worrying bit mate..no offence but the classroom is the place to learn not peoples property..

 

[cyberjunction]

thats the worrying bit mate..no offence but the classroom is the place to learn not peoples property..

i agree... I have never done anything I am not confortable with, if I was not capable of installing new circuits consumer units etc and not knowing what the results meant I would never touch it. I am learning the hard way and that is why I do not proceed with anyhthing I am not sure about, no its not a custmers house, I have only done this for friends and family and IF I am not sure then I would call in a proper sparky.

I have desperately tried to getting working as a mate for free but no one local will give you a chance,

 

[alarm man]

i agree... I have never done anything I am not confortable with, if I was not capable of installing new circuits consumer units etc and not knowing what the results meant I would never touch it. I am learning the hard way and that is why I do not proceed with anyhthing I am not sure about, no its not a custmers house, I have only done this for friends and family and IF I am not sure then I would call in a proper sparky.

I have desperately tried to getting working as a mate for free but no one local will give you a chance,

you said you were not a spark but your doing spark work,im surprised your a member of a scheme tbh,then again im not.your not to blame really,but the leeches who took your money are..

 

[cyberjunction]

new installations, new circuits etc I can do without hesitation - its just the fault diagnosis work they dont teach you which why I am trying to learn and the reason why I dont go out to customers.

I know I could easily use L N E as N E L but I wanted to be sure and trace it to where it had been wrongly connected and as I was getting no continuity I was wandering if it could have been anything else they I had over seen...

thanks to all anyway

 

[cyberjunction]

All sorted, junction box in the kitchen wired up wrongly, must have been blind, Wander lead to all fittings and using the Kewtech Lightmate job done.

Line Was Neutral
Neutral Was Earth
Earth Was Line

I was more interested where the fault lay as to why the readings I was getting

 

[mogga]

CALL A FULLY QUALIFIED<EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIAN ie NOT a 5 week wonder D.I.

 

[alarm man]

All sorted, junction box in the kitchen wired up wrongly, must have been blind, Wander lead to all fittings using the Kewtech Lightmate job done.

what was it then..

 

[keniff]

I take it was the line and cpc connected opposite in the junction box? Potential dangerous situation!!

 

[alarm man]

i blame the proper spark who done the work in the first place,fair play to the lad,quick course and he's sussed the fault..