3RED 2BLACK 1X black with RED sleeve1EARTH Where do they go? Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[emtthegreatone]

Help!.....Replacing 2 ceiling lights first one went ok...1X red to Red..1X Black to Black..1X earth to earth............no problems However the second one BIG problems 3XRed wires..2X black wires 1X BLACK with RED sleeve and 1 earth, only hav L N E on new lights any ideas? wife now packing my bags!

[sparx]

Hi, you are fortunate in having the red sleeved black, usually it has not been:
red sleeved blk goes to live on light, 2 blacks go to Neutral of light,
3 reds go to a spare term block not connected to light, earths go to earth of light.
Any doubt go to Doc's 'Projects@ section to see drawing in colour,
regards SPARX

[emtthegreatone]

Will try that although isolated 3 red would that be ok? masking tape several inches thick mind! and would you believe it red sleeve fell of what would be the worst thing that could happen if connecting wrong black to L?

[rflight]

Worst case, you will get a dead short and be left in the dark. With the circuit completley turned off, use a multimeter to find which black is the switched live. Let us know how you get on

[333rocky333]

change the masking tape to connector block and brown insulation tape!!!
ISOLATE SUPPLY MCB/FUSE FIRST AS THESE ARE STILL LIVE EVEN WITH THE WALL SWITCH OFF

[emtthegreatone]

Cheers guys, got fuse switched off, got 1 light working but the other nothing..have power going to 2 nd light but nothing! any ideas? thanks for your help and advice so far :-) have 3 reds in seperate unconnected terminal block confused as to why 2nd light not working could it be LIVE SWITCH in wrong connection?

[333rocky333]

The connections at 2nd light should look same as your 1st light .

If the 3 reds are already together the worst you have done is got the two black neutrals confused with the BLACK (MARKED RED) switchlive return.

You obviously have a tester as you know power is there, so part all 3 blacks and safely work out which black returns from switch.

WITH POWER TO LIGHTS OFF, put meter on continuity and test between the three joined reds and one black get someone to switch on and off , repeat on each black till meter goes on and off with the switch,then mark that cable

This black (marked red) will then be used on its own for the light live

Leaving other two blacks to join together as neutral.

Obviously join the earths also