New Ceiling Light - Won't switch off.

ukonline

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So I put a new bathroom ceiling light
in the upstairs bathroom, with the power
switched off, and first time I switched it
on again, the circuit tripped.

There were 3 wires coming from the ceiling.
One by itself, and 2 joined together. I marked
the single wire with paper tape so I wouldn't
get them mixed up.

Wired in the new light exactly with the
single wire going to live, and the 2 joined wires
going to neutral. There was also a green/yellow
earth wire, so I attached that to the earth connection
of the new lamp.

So I switched the power off, and changed the
wires 'round, and now the light works, but
won't switch off.

Is it possible the trip blew the light switch? It's
not clicking as positively as the other switches
in the house, or have I got the wiring screwed
up?

Can I check which of the 3 wires is live with a
phase tester? Don't worry, I'll switch off the
power first and make sure all 3 wires are
not contacting anything, then switch the power
on and check which one is live.

Really don't want to call an electrician just yet.

If I remember correctly, (It's in a relatives house),
the wires have a grey outer sleeve, and then one
wire has a black inner, one has a red inner and one
has a blue inner.

House is about 40 years old.

Thanks!

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M cebee

just flicked through it there

but ya- you prob welded the switch contacts with the short circuit


the easiest way to sort out a few wires at a light is prob to identify the switch wire with a non-contact tester
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Voltage-Detector-90V~1000V-Tester-Stick/dp/B004B9C7N4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351351490&sr=8-1

ukonline

M cebee wrote: »

just flicked through it there

but ya- you prob welded the switch contacts with the short circuit


the easiest way to sort out a few wires at a light is prob to identify the switch wire with a non-contact tester
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Voltage-Detector-90V~1000V-Tester-Stick/dp/B004B9C7N4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351351490&sr=8-1[/QUOTE]

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Thanks! Will get one of those
and report back next week.

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ukonline

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Got one of those non contact voltage
testers and it lights up around the switch
whether the switch is off or on. All other
switches, the tester lights up only when
they are in the 'on' position, so I'll put
in a new switch and see what happens.

Thanks!

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ft9

You need to test the switch wire up at your light fitting with the detector. See is that switching on/off via light switch. If not sounds like your switch is shot.

Also this will allow you to identify which wire is your switch wire with the other 2 more than likely neutrals.

ukonline

ft9 wrote: »

You need to test the switch wire up at your light fitting with the detector. See is that switching on/off via light switch. If not sounds like your switch is shot.

Also this will allow you to identify which wire is your switch wire with the other 2 more than likely neutrals.

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Thanks. Will do. I'll switch the power
off, unscrew the 3 wires, switch the
power back on, and test which wire
is live and if it responds to the switch.

If the live wire stays live when the switch
is off, then I'll change the switch.

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ft9

ukonline wrote: »

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Thanks. Will do. I'll switch the power
off, unscrew the 3 wires, switch the
power back on, and test which wire
is live and if it responds to the switch.

If the live wire stays live when the switch
is off, then I'll change the switch.

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Yes, and report back to let us know how you get on.

ukonline

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Did all the above. The live
wire stayed live whether the
switch was on or off, so I put
in a new switch and all's well
again.

That non-contact tester is very
useful.

Job done!

Thanks!



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