Ceiling light wiring query

[pete01]

That's what we were told.

Yes I've caught up now

 

[terryplumb]

there are 3 reds going into the connector block, plus 1 'open' red. There are 4 open black wires.
I have a connector block, but not sure whether I can just 'tie off' 3 of the black wires in it?

You need to find out which black is the live from the switch ,for that you need a multimeter

 

[rossy70]

yes two light fittings in the room, they both come on off the same light switch

 

[pete01]

yes two light fittings in the room, they both come on off the same light switch

So the black that goes with the floating red is definitely a neutral.

That leaves 3 blacks.

 

[terryplumb]

Hey Pete your on a roll now

 

[pete01]

Hey Pete your on a roll now

There is a way to do this without a tester but much easier with one.

 

[rossy70]

So with a multimeter, I couod determine which is neutral and which is the switch live....but dies that mean the switch live goes into live, neutral to neutral and the other two into a connector to tie off?

 

[terryplumb]

The switched live goes to the light fittings live terminal ,together with the floating red which feeds the second light fitting .
All neutrals together and connect to the light fittings neutral terminal.
All earth's together in the light fittings earth terminal assuming it has one and needs earthing.

 

[EFLImpudence]

This is my guess by the shape of the wires but don't connect without testing first.

 

[pete01]

If you do get a continuity tester, with the power OFF seperate the 3 sets into red and black pairs.

The one you're after is the one that goes down to the switch.

Put the tester on each red and black, one set will beep on and off as you switch the switch.

Again make sure the powers OFF.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You don't really need to separate the reds - just find out which black beeps when the switch is on.

 

[rossy70]

Great. getting a multimeter now. will test the blacks to see which beeps as the live switch and connect that to live with red. then the 3 other blocks into the neutral. correct?

 

[pete01]

Put one probe in the red connector block and the other on a black, as you hold it on get someone else to switch the switch on and off the one you need should beep on and off with the switch.

Power OFF remember.

 

[terryplumb]

As above

 

[terryplumb]

Great. getting a multimeter now. will test the blacks to see which beeps as the live switch and connect that to live with red. then the 3 other blocks into the neutral. correct?

Yes