Wiring a ceiling rose

[duncanbruce93]

Hello,

I was changing the light fitting for the upstairs hall way, I firstly wired it up wrong and no other lights would work upstairs, when turned on it seemed to make a pop noise.

I then got some advice and wired it as recommend in the picture attached, the light is still not working, all the other lights upstairs do however now work.

Can anyone give any suggestions as to why it is still not working? So far I have tried:
- checked the bulb works
- checked the fitting works
- changed the switch incase something in that blew

Thanks for any help!

Duncan

 

[Darkwood]

Hi duncanbruce93, welcome to the forum.

To speed up replies I have approved your post in the general forum, when Admin' is next on line you will be given DIY status and this thread will be relocated to the DIY section.. this will not effect any posts made in the mean time.

Re' Darkwood.

 

[Octopus]

Have you got a tester of any kind?

Do you have 240v between the brown and blue?

 

[Fox]

As above. I can see the result of the pop sound in your picture, which has likely been caused by a short circuit fault due to improper installation.

You need a tester to initially see if further damage has been caused by the fault, and secondly to ascertain where your fault lies.

I'd come and have a look but you're a bit far away...

 

[duncanbruce93]

Hi thanks for your quick replies.

I have just put a volt tester to all the wires coming down, the only wire that makes it bleep is one of the brown wires.

It is the brown wire which comes down with the blue wire without the sleeve on. It bleeps when the switch is on and off.

How I originally incorrectly wired it was by wiring the 2 blues together and the 2 Browns together.

Thanks,

Duncan

 

[Octopus]

Call a spark?

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Switch is now faulty due to previous short circuit.

 

[Octopus]

Switch is now faulty due to previous short circuit.

He says he's changed the switch!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

He says he's changed the switch!

....Sorry! Then see #6!

 

[duncanbruce93]

Desperately trying to avoid calling a sparky if possible.

The light has 2 swicthes, one upstairs with just 1 switch, this is the one I changed.

The other switch is downstairs and is a double switch for the downstairs landing and upstairs landing, the switch downstairs still works for the downstairs light so I assumed that it must still work okay.

 

[Darkwood]

Its hard to tell 100% but there seems to be damage to the L insulation and what looks like flash over (black marks) on the top of the earth sleeving, this would suggest a short circuit has occured at some point, this may have damaged the cable and a chance that it may need repairing or if possible reterminating if enough cable is spare to omit any damaged section.

Due to your ongoing problem and the possibility of damaged cables I would recommend you call out an electrician to ensure all is in order, during his/her callout they can then ensure the fitting is fitted and tested with the correct test equipment which will also verify the test readings meet regulation... to confirm any install you need the correct test equipment as this cannot be done with a neon driver, volts stick or voltage probe testers as a DIYer you will only really be checking a voltage is present and not the key tests that ensure the safety of the circuit.

 

[Octopus]

....Sorry! Then see #6!

What?

Call a spark?

 

[Fox]

Desperately trying to avoid calling a sparky if possible.

The light has 2 swicthes, one upstairs with just 1 switch, this is the one I changed.

The other switch is downstairs and is a double switch for the downstairs landing and upstairs landing, the switch downstairs still works for the downstairs light so I assumed that it must still work okay.

Why avoid calling a spark? And never assume anything in the electrical world! You initially assumed connecting same coloured conductors together was correct, but that's done more harm than good.

There's no shame in admitting defeat, lighting circuits can be one of the most complicated within a domestic installation.

Call a spark - any competent one will sort your problem out within the price of a call out and they'll have all of the right test equipment to make sure the fault hasn't caused further damage.

 

[telectrix]

the 2 gang switch downstairs might be fried on the one side. even though the 2 switches are in the same faceplate, it's possible that the landing switch is buggered. whilst the hall switch is OK.

 

[Hellmooth]

A volt stick isn't going to be any use. You'll need a volt meter so you can test voltage and bell out the cables.

 

[Hellmooth]

£40-£50 to get it done safely and correctly.

 

[telectrix]

cheaper than taking the wife out.

still, OP could arrange a candle lit dinner on the landing.

 

[SJD]

Desperately trying to avoid calling a sparky if possible.

The light has 2 swicthes, one upstairs with just 1 switch, this is the one I changed.

The other switch is downstairs and is a double switch for the downstairs landing and upstairs landing, the switch downstairs still works for the downstairs light so I assumed that it must still work okay.

I wouldn't assume anything.
As already mentioned this switch may now be burnt out.

 

[7029 dave]

This thread should be moved away from the main forum.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

What?

Call a spark?

Absolutely, yes!

 

[timo1]

The switch will be blown thats all. The terminations at the fitting appear to be now correct. With the power off (all the power) replace the switch with a new one, check the cables for damage. If there is no damage replace fitting and re-energise. This sort of replacement is well within the scope of a householder in my opinion.

 

[Plonker 3]

The switch will be blown thats all. The terminations at the fitting appear to be now correct. With the power off (all the power) replace the switch with a new one, check the cables for damage. If there is no damage replace fitting and re-energise. This sort of replacement is well within the scope of a householder in my opinion.

How do you do that with a IR test and continuity test?

 

[duncanbruce93]

Thanks for everyone's help, looks like I'll just have to pay for an electrician.

Is there any point trying to change the downstairs switch first? If one switch was broken wouldnt the other one work, as I've already changed one of them.

Thanks,

Duncan

 

[SS-2015]

The switch will be blown thats all. The terminations at the fitting appear to be now correct. With the power off (all the power) replace the switch with a new one, check the cables for damage. If there is no damage replace fitting and re-energise. This sort of replacement is well within the scope of a householder in my opinion.

Obviously not :smartass:

 

[timo1]

I disagree. He wired it wrong to begin with. The fuse or MCB blew. He then went away and read up on how to refit. Not a lot of help if everytime someone asks a question the reply is get an electrician in, understandable for someone messing around in a CU but its accepted that a householder can change pendants and switches etc..

 

[Darkwood]

Don't start bickering lads.. .. This little job is well within the scope of a bit of DIY but with the picture presented and the explanation given I have suggested on this occasion to have it checked as the cable shows signs of damage and flash marks - it may be nothing but from our point of view he would be best to have it checked, a call out fee is nothing for the safety of his house and family.

 

[Hellmooth]

Agree it could be in the scope of the OP, but recommended to get an electrician in to check it's safe, up to the OP though how he wants to proceed.

 

[7029 dave]

Looking at the pic, exposed copper in choc block, and nice piece of insulation off one of the brown conductors mid way, he needs an Electrician asap only my opinion.?

 

[Simonslimline]

Desperately trying to avoid calling a sparky if possible.

Keep guessing then i suppose. :shades_smile:

 

[Darkwood]

Looking at the pic, exposed copper in choc block, and nice piece of insulation off one of the brown conductors mid way, he needs an Electrician asap only my opinion.?

I've seen fully qualified Electricians do similar poor terminations so lets hope he gets someone who has pride in the trade and his work.

 

[telectrix]

and you've all missed the obvious. 2 cpc's in 1 sleeve........ hanging offence. :hanged: