Simple electrical circuit

L

Ldm

Hi guys and girls. Got a problem on a lighting circuit.

The circuit has a junction box which I have just labeled up.
Theres only 5 lights
OUTSIDE LIGHT x2
SIDE LIGHTS x4
MAIN LIGHT
BEDROOM LIGHT x2

the main light and side lights work the problem is the rest on the light none of them switch.
A volt test shows 240v at the switches with them in both positions.

IR test shows >500 on my fluke
continuity shows fine
earthing is ok.

Anything you you need extra please ask. I'm stumped on this one. I know it's going to be something simple.
 
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Easiest way is strip the JB of all cables identify each one again and reconnect the mains into the joint first then each light one at a time testing if they work as you connect - (safety in mind of course - I don't mean working live here, isolate safely between each connection made and tested).. this way you can work out where it went wrong.

You probably lost a N somewhere but cannot say for sure.
 
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Hi mate firstly if you haven't already, get access to the trainee section, can you draw a diagram of what you think the connections are, you say you only have 5 lights yet your description count is 9 or am I reading it wrong?
Do the diagram and come back on, we may be able to help better with a rough idea of what you have to work with.
 
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Pete999 said:
Hi mate firstly if you haven't already, get access to the trainee section, can you draw a diagram of what you think the connections are, you say you only have 5 lights yet your description count is 9 or am I reading it wrong?
Do the diagram and come back on, we may be able to help better with a rough idea of what you have to work with.
Click to expand...

Hi should have been clearer. There are 2 outside lights wired together. 4 side lights wired together. 2 bedroom lights wired together. 1 shower room light and one main light.

The main aim light and side lights are on 2 way.

A diagram of the junction box?
 
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Ldm said:
Hi should have been clearer. There are 2 outside lights wired together. 4 side lights wired together. 2 bedroom lights wired together. 1 shower room light and one main light.

The main aim light and side lights are on 2 way.

A diagram of the junction box?
Click to expand...

That would be good, and a pointer to which cables go where.
 
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Pete999 said:
That would be good, and a pointer to which cables go where.
Click to expand...
imagejpeg
 
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Hope this helps.

Polarity test results (if I've done it right)
1. Bed light 0.21
2. Main light 0.28
3. Shower light 0.25
4. Side light 0.24
5. Outside light 0.26
 
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Ldm said:
Hope this helps.

Polarity test results (if I've done it right)
1. Bed light 0.21
2. Main light 0.28
3. Shower light 0.25
4. Side light 0.24
5. Outside light 0.26
Click to expand...


Sorry this is CONTINUITY NOT POLARITY.
Not sure if my tester can do polarity test. It's a fluke 1651b
 
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Ldm said:
Hi guys and girls. Got a problem on a lighting circuit.

The circuit has a junction box which I have just labeled up.
Theres only 5 lights
OUTSIDE LIGHT x2
SIDE LIGHTS x4
MAIN LIGHT
BEDROOM LIGHT x2

the main light and side lights work the problem is the rest on the light none of them switch.
A volt test shows 240v at the switches with them in both positions.

IR test shows >500 on my fluke
continuity shows fine
earthing is ok.

Anything you you need extra please ask. I'm stumped on this one. I know it's going to be something simple.
Click to expand...
You mean 9 lights?
 
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Ldm said:
5 lights the x2 and x4 are lights wired in series. Sorry should have been clearer. There is only 5 switch lives in the junction box.
Click to expand...
Someone will pull you up on your comment about the lights being wired in series. I assume you know why. I am not nitpicking here by the way, it could be an important point. Daz.
 
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When you did your continuity test did you try R1+RN as well as you may have a neutral thats not connected correctly and when doing continuity R1+R2 switch the switches on and off then you will know if you have correct polarity this is known as a Dead polarity test. Or remake all connections in the junction box
 
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newtothis said:
Ldm Are you saying all the lights were working b4 you began, then you’ve installed some LEDs now most of he lights don’t work ?
Click to expand...

No. The only 2 lights that worked were the main light and side lights. I can get the others working by swapping the switched live. Not an ideal test I know but proved they can all work. So I know cables are all fine at least they can finish the build. It's got to be a connection either in the junction box or the switches. Most likely junction box...... But where to start.
 
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Disconnect everything. Test all cables to see which is which, and that none are o/c.
Reconnect in junction box in correct order. Daz
 
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Ldm said:
No. The only 2 lights that worked were the main light and side lights. I can get the others working by swapping the switched live. Not an ideal test I know but proved they can all work. So I know cables are all fine at least they can finish the build. It's got to be a connection either in the junction box or the switches. Most likely junction box...... But where to start.
Click to expand...

Hold on, I thought this was an existing set up, not a build or extension!
 
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as eric morecombe would have said:

"i'm connecting all the right wires, but not necessarily in the right order".
 
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when the lights are meant to be on, just see where the voltage to earth is not 230V before the light, or is 230V after the light (without electrocuting yourself) , where this changes is the cable with the fault.
I would expect a problem with how the lights themselves are wired for three lights to fail with that Junction box arrangement.
 
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I'd like to know what a side light is.
I'd also like to know how you're testing for polarity on any of your jobs mate. A plumber mate of mine has done the Electrical Trainee course (against my advice) so he can install spurs (and that's all he does) and even he, a pipe monkey, knows how to do a polarity test
 
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