Switch Wire

[web]

Please can someone explain how the switch wire works.
I am putting downlighters in my bathroom and have three wires coming from the original light. Two Blacks and a Red. The Blacks were connected together at the original light. I have been told that one of the black wires is the switch wire but I can\\\'t understand how this works.
I have connected up my downlighters by looping in series and it works fine.. keeping the two blacks connected.
Just want to know what exactly the switch wire is doing.
PS. I HAVE connected an earth wire to the downlighter. I know how that works...

Thanks..

 

[andy]

see for reference

 

[web]

sorry see what Andrew?

 

[breezer]

sticky for refernce (its amazing what you can find if you look / search)

 

[Lectrician]

It sounds like the way your lighting was wired originally was not 'the norm'. (and many houses arn't!). You have connected it back correctly for your setup. Always note what was where and you will be fine!

 

[web]

Thanks....all.

I found the reference drawings and I now know what is ment by the switch wire.

As I want to put in a PIR I'll need to use my DVM to check out exactly which wire is the switch wire.

Could it be possible that I do not have a switch wire?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If you have no switch, and the light is on all the time, yes....

PS:

I am putting downlighters in my bathroom

You are aware of Part P of the Building Regs, are you?

 

[AdamW]

Please can someone explain how the switch wire works.
I am putting downlighters in my bathroom and have three wires coming from the original light. Two Blacks and a Red. The Blacks were connected together at the original light. I have been told that one of the black wires is the switch wire but I can\\\'t understand how this works.
I have connected up my downlighters by looping in series and it works fine.. keeping the two blacks connected.
Just want to know what exactly the switch wire is doing.
PS. I HAVE connected an earth wire to the downlighter. I know how that works...

Thanks..

Are you sure you don't mean that you wired them in parallel?

Also, isn't it slightly unusual to switch the neutral?

 

[web]

Are you sure you don't mean that you wired them in parallel?

Yes you are correct... it was parallel. Just checked referance drawings.

Also, isn't it slightly unusual to switch the neutral?

Yes this wiring is not the norm. This is why I'm not sure which wire is doing the switching. I will get my DVM onto these wires tonight and provide an update.

For the PIR I need... switch live/live/neutral

You are aware of Part P of the Building Regs, are you?

I have made sure that all the downlighters are of the correct standard for each zone.

Thanks again..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You are aware of Part P of the Building Regs, are you?

I have made sure that all the downlighters are of the correct standard for each zone.

Thanks again..

Err - there's more to it than that and whatever you read about it here or on other fora you really should understand it and make your own decisions concerning what you do about it.....

 

[web]

Err - there's more to it than that and whatever you read about it here or on other fora you really should understand it and make your own decisions concerning what you do about it.....

Not sure if they apply to Scotland but I will check what the current standard is. I will also get a qualified spark to check the work I have done as I know this is a requirment in Scotland.
Thanks..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Not sure if they apply to Scotland

No - they don't - apologies, I didn't read the small print of your location...

 

[web]

OK...

The red wire is live and is switched. It comes through the two way switch. This is all that is going through the switch.
The blacks are both neutral.

Looks like my PIR idea is out unless I take another live un-switched feed
up to my ceiling.

Being told that the black was switched has caused me all the confusion.

Thanks for all your inputs....