DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I am trying to add some new electronic timer switches to the shared hallway in my building. There are 4 light switches that are all currently push button timer/delay switches that control the lights. Each light switch has 4 wires (2 live, 2 neutral) and an earth that is connected to the back box.

I need to identify the Live In and Live out wires to be able to add the new electronic light switches. I have disconnected each light switch and used a multimeter to try and see which wire has a current. I connected one terminal to the neutral wire in the back box and the other terminal to the Red and black wires in turn. None of them had any current running through them.

I am not sure what I am doing wrong but I would have thought that one of the wires would be live?

This is how the current wiring is laid out for the 4 switches and the bottom circle is how the wires are connected to the terminals of each light switch.

Without being there it is not possible to tell you, but it is possible to guess.
My guess would be that because the cables are red and black you assume they are Live and Neutral.
My guess is they are not live and neutral, but live and switched live, which then loop from the fist switch to the next switch and etc.

Your method of testing is dangerous and I suggest you call in a competent person in to do the job to prevent you from electrocuting yourself or worse still some one else.