Replacing a ceiling lamp Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[hellom8]

I am replacing an old wooden 5 bulb lamp.
The ceiling has 2 main groups both groups have 1 red, 1 black and 1 green/black each.
Currently the 2 red wires are wired together and terminated and the 2 green/black wires are also wired together and terminated. The 2 black wires are connected to the lamp.
My problem is my new lamp (a metal 5 bulb lamp) has 3 connections live/neutral/earth, how do I connect it?.
Any ideas greatly would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
Ian.

[kbrownie]

Hi,
made any error in previous message ignore info.
Keep reds together, your two blacks one to one side of lamp (Brown) and the other to the other side (Blue) then your green cable to your earth
Kb

[hellom8]

Hi KB,
Yes I meant green/yellow sleeve on the earth cable.
So I just connect the 2 black cables to live and neutral and connect the earths to the earth on the lamp?.
Thanks for the help.
Cheers.
Ian.

[rosebery]

Look at [url=https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/lights_and_switches.htm]This[/url]

The chances are (no you have to find out for yourself because I haven't seen it) that one of the two red wires are the supply in which is connected to the red wire on the switch line, down to the switch and then back up the black wire from the switch to the fitting. That one SHOULD be fitted with a red sleeve to show that it is live when the switch is on. But it sounds as if this wiring is so old that it probably wasn't done. The second black wire will be the neutral on the supply and will be in the same cable as the supply.

The green will be the earth conductors in ach of the two cables.

Armed with these assumptions and the diagram on the project you should be able to work it out.

Cheers

[kbrownie]

Hi
Refer back to amended/editted post, I did not explain it too well originally.
Simple
Earth (green/yellow) all conected together in earth terminal
Live and Switch wire(red) (the reds) stay connected together.
Neutral and Switch Wire(black) (the blacks) one connected to live side of light and the other to neutral side of light.
The switch wires should be tagged or sleeved Brown. But you would need to identify them first.
KB

[hellom8]

Thanks everyone,
I will invest in a tester to find the live wire and then mark it for future reference.
Cheers.
Ian.

[hellom8]

Installed the new light this weekend, works a treat.
Cheers.
Ian.