Too many wires!!!

by **elecqs** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:47 am

I am trying to fit a ceiling light... The following wires are coming from the ceiling;
3 reds joined together
3 blacks joined together
1 black & 1 red joined together
2 green/yellow joined together

Please advise how I connect these to a standard light fitting?
Thank you.

by **thedoctor** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:18 pm

Go to the DIY Projects section and look at replacing a light fitting and lights and switches. Also take a look round the forum as this is easily the most popular question asked on it.

by **kbrownie** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:47 pm

Yes do have a look at projects this is a very common question regarding lights and some good advice and diagrams to be seen in the project pages have a look and you will understand how it works, But looks okay to me!
KB

by **elecqs** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:36 pm

I have looked in the DIY and done a search but could not find a specific answer to my question. Is there anywhere I should be looking?
Thanks.

by **thedoctor** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:25 pm

The two projects metioned above show you how a light fitting is wired and how the switch wires work. Usually one of teh black wires is a live wire between the light and the switch. Once you understand how a light and switch work you should be able to answer the question on your own. If you cannot do this please call an electrician.

by **kbrownie** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:10 pm

Does the switch operate more than *one light fitting?*
The logical way would be to terminate the brown flex of fitting to Black and Red(*why's this red here?*) Then The blue flex of fitting to the 3 grouped blacks.
KB

by **elecqs** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:41 am

I checked and there is a light switch downstairs and one upstairs for this fitting; and there are 2 lights controlled by these switches.

by **kbrownie** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:13 pm

Try this, Blue flex of light fitting to The three blacks and Brown flex of light fitting to Red and Black connection, leave the three reds as they are.
KB

by **elecqs** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:13 am

kb,
Thanks for that.... Do I leave the two green&yellow wires that are connected together, as they are?
Jim.

by **elecqs** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:18 am

kb,
Thank you for that. There are 2 green/yellow wires in a block connector, do i leave them unconnected to anything else?

by **kbrownie** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:30 pm

Hello again thought we'd lost you,
They are your Circuit Protective Conductors (CPC) commonly known as earths and should be terminated together and only with other CPC/earth conductors. If your fitting is made of metal and not double insulated this should also be link connected to the fitting.
KB

by **elecqs** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:48 pm

Cheers KB. They are terminated together and the fitting is plastic, so I will connect as you suggested..
"Blue flex of light fitting to The three blacks and Brown flex of light fitting to Red and Black connection, leave the three reds as they are"