Strange wiring or just me

[westie666]

Ill try my best to describe the issue.

I am in the process of replacing some of the light fittings in the house, and stumbled across a confusing one.

I have a light at the bottom of my stairs, one in the hall next to the front door, and an outside light.

From where I want to replace the light at the bottom of the stairs, there is 3 grey wires coming out the ceiling.

2 have +ve, -ve and earth and 1 has earth and -ve.

depending on what combo I use to cable, I can make the hall light switch on and off and have the stair light on constant. Or nothing at all. I can connect it so all 3 lights just ( and only just) glow. And have it connected in a way that allows about half light to outside and stair light, and the switch for the stairs control the outside light as well as the stair light.

Can someone please advise on what can be done??

Rgds
Graham

 

[bernardgreen]

Use the telephone to call an electrician

Bernard
Sharnbrook
UK

 

[Steve]

Tip: you dont have any +ve or -ves. You have lives, neutrals and switched lives. Oh, and black doesn't nessecarily mean neutral.

If you haven't noted what went where to start with, you've no chance. Please call an electrician. Electricity has no prejudices, it kills anyone.

 

[westie666]

The cables to start with where all in the ceiling, not connected, single terminator blocks in the end of each cable. Thought it was strange, but now I think I understand why stair light was not connected.

I was thinking along the lines of phone an electrician....

Rgds
Graham

 

[westie666]

Can anyone advise also why I have a cable with the 'red' wire cut back, so it would not connect to anything??

Rgds
Graham

 

[Steve]

look at the other end, you will probably find the same thing. Though this is not good practise, since all unused conductors should be earthed.