4 black wires from ceiling - which is which?

deb0sca · Post by **deb0sca** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:57 am

Help, we removed a set of spotlights mounted on a bar and replaced with a suspended ceiling and half a dozen spot lights. These are the energy efficient ones that get brighter after a minute or two. BUT, when removing the old fitting we forgot to make a note of the wiring back into the main ceiling fitting. There are 3 black wires on one connector and 1 black wire on another connector. That's the problem - they are all BLACK so we can't work out which connector to put the brown and the blue wires from the string of spotlights. We initially connected the brown to the set of 3, but after a day or so (when they worked) they have just now blown the fuse. Is it simply that the brown should go to the single connector, or could there be more to it?
Mike

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:07 pm

I don't have a clue I am afraid, perhaps one of the sparks can advise.

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:38 pm

Sounds odd that they would work for a day and then fail

I am interested in the answer as well

sparkydude · Post by **sparkydude** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:26 pm

I would have thought that the 3 blacks would be neutrals, and the one black on its own the live. Try that and see what happens, there are not any more connections hidden up their in the ceiling as well are there? Earths perhaps????? why they are all black , no idea but should ideally be identified better in my mind.

Nick