Changing light pendant to one that only has live, earth and neutral

[Harry_W]

I'm changing a light pendant, one of two in the hallway controlled by a 3 way light switch, however the new one only has live, earth and neutral connections. I have three pairs of black and red, one black with a red sleeve and need help as to how to wire this new fitting. Thanks in advance.

 

[winston1]

You mean a 3 gang light switch. It is very easy though. Show us the photo you took before you disconnected the old fitting.

 

[Harry_W]

Shuffles from side to side looking at feet! I didn't take any before photos. Can I identify the wires required with my non-comtact voltage pen?

 

[Harry_W]

I know three red wires were wired up to the loop connection in the old pendant.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

Then the black ones are likely neutrals and need to be connected together (including the blue from the light) and the black with red sleeve is the switch line that needs to go with the light‘s brown.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I know three red wires were wired up to the loop connection in the old pendant.

It looks like there should have been four reds in the loop?

 

[Harry_W]

Yes you are right @RandomGrinch. I've just remembered that it was the plasterers that removed the old fittings hence no photo of how they were wired.

So all the red wires should be wired in live of the new fitting including the switched live? So that's 5 wires into one live terminal? Then all the blacks wired to neutral terminal on the new fitting?

 

[winston1]

No. Clue, you said
"I know three red wires were wired up to the loop connection in the old pendant."

 

[RandomGrinch]

So all the red wires should be wired in live of the new fitting including the switched live?

No, only the switched live connects to the live of the new fitting.
The four other reds should be connected together in a separate connector.

For situations like this, I have often used lighting connectors:

Greenbrook Lighting Connector

A 3-pole 20A lighting connector for quick and efficient fitting of multiple downlights and lighting fixtures. With its simple lock-and-release system, it's so easy to wire up and connect - and just as easy to disconnect when maintenance is required. Suitable for a wide variety of connecting...

www.toolstation.com

They allow easier wiring and the ability to simply unplug a light fitting; particularly useful if the fitting is high and heavy!
They do need a bit of space to push up into the ceiling though.

 

[Harry_W]

Thank you for your clear explanation @RandomGrinch. Could I use a connector block for the lives and just screw two in each side?

 

[Harry_W]

I've just tried wiring it with switch live in light fitting live, all the blacks in neutral of light fitting and the reds wired into the connector block, two each side, and it's not working.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I've just tried wiring it with switch live in light fitting live, all the blacks in neutral of light fitting and the reds wired into the connector block, two each side, and it's not working.

Are there any other light switches controlling this switch?
Do the other lights on that circuit still work?
Can you temporarily connect up the old pendant and see if that works?

 

[Harry_W]

The first switch on the 3 gang light switch still returns the landing light on.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The first switch on the 3 gang light switch still returns the landing light on.

The landing light is probably on a different (upstairs) circuit.
So, you’ve wired it according to the instructions above and it doesn’t work.
Show us a picture of the wiring, maybe there’s a misunderstanding!

And this light, is there perhaps another one that comes on at the same time..
ie on the same switch?

 

[terryplumb]

Do the two hallway lights work from the same switch ,or is there a switch for each one ?
Have you blown any fuses or tripped any circuit breakers whilst working on these wires ?