DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi all - hope someone can help!

Have finally got round to fitting wall lights...have connected the first and tested...not working :(

The wall light is new and has just L/N/E connections into a connection strip...not fixed to wall yet so know that nothing is loose. Haven't fitted any of the other wall lights yet....assume that's not a problem?

Decided that the problem must be in the switch (there have never been any wall lights fitted before, so don't know if the switch has ever been working.

It's a 2G1W switch (ceiling light / wall lights).


Ceiling light works fine - Has switched live (black with brwn sheath) into L1 and then a short connecter from L3 to L3 on other 'Gang'.

This second 'gang' has the live (brwn) from the switched live cable into L3 and then 2 lives from other cables into L1.

All the neutrals are connected into a block.

The earths are connected to the back of the box.

Can someone explain what should go where?

Sorry if this is a little basic......

It would be normal where cables are fitted for future use to isolate them or tie to earth polarity. Before using pre-installed cables one would test them for insulation and earth connections and once powered for earth loop impedance. In doing this one would need to know exactly how they were connected and to assume connected in a set way without as built plans is asking for problems.

Today it is not normal to link the line wire on a switch so one would assume it was wired some time ago. Nothing wrong with practice just not normal. And this is the point. Where the normal practice is not been followed to try to guess how it is wired is really not the way forward. It is a case of get the meters out and work out exactly what you have before carrying on.