Which wire goes where?

eisfspike · Post by **eisfspike** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:28 am

Hi all

I am putting up a new light which seems simple enough however the guidance on the light fixing is a bit unclear to me. Which wire goes in each connector block as the diagram is not exactly clear. Please see the picture. Am I right in saying that the wire to the left is indeed the live wire etc. Thanks!

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Sat May 22, 2021 9:02 am

That is appaling wiring - but I do see a 'made in China' sticker so...... meh...

One of the wires will connect (hopefully) to the metal body of the light fitting. This will be your earth wire. The live and neutral can go in the other two - ideally with the live going to the centre pin of the light socket.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Sat May 22, 2021 9:03 am

Where did you buy it from? ebay?

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat May 22, 2021 2:39 pm

Deadly, I would not mess with that without a meter and some marker pens like red/brown, blue and green.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Sat May 22, 2021 2:45 pm

First I would check which one is Earth with a multimeter, whichever of the 3 cable shows continuity with the casing, the other 2 are L & N which shouldn't matter which is which is in this fitting. Don't believe me yet, see if experts here agree?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat May 22, 2021 3:22 pm

eisfspike, have you got a multi meter? (I am guessing not)

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Sat May 22, 2021 7:26 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 3:22 pm eisfspike, have you got a multi meter? (I am guessing not)

There is always the old way - with a torch battery and bulb!

Except that most torches are now LED. Even then, it could still be done with a piece of card isolating a terminal and thin flex/metal foil either side to act as contacts.

You DO have an Earth in your Lighting Circuit?

A valid question regarding a Multi-meter. I have two, and they are both about 50 years old - and still work.

eisfspike · Post by **eisfspike** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:03 pm

Thanks guys. It was actually bought in homebase... Yes I have a multi meter but wouldn't be over confident on my ability to use it!!!!

eisfspike · Post by **eisfspike** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:40 pm

Hi guys, I got continuity on one of the terminals on the muti meter. I've attached a picture so I think I should be good to go. It wasn't actually the terminal I thought it was!!!

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:59 pm

That meter is NOT set to continuity •)))

It is set to resistance, is it not?

I think more information is needed, there's not enough wires in the first picture for a three arm/three bulb ceiling light fitting. Each arm needs two, making six.

Earth only goes to the fitting body.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sat May 22, 2021 9:10 pm

eisfspike wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 8:03 pm Yes I have a multi meter but wouldn't be over confident on my ability to use it!!!!

Try reading the instructions, continuity •))) is the simplest function.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat May 22, 2021 10:23 pm

Sorry to point this out, but resistance is better than continuity.
Continuity just says yes or no.
Resistance says how hard or how easy it is for electricity to flow.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat May 22, 2021 10:25 pm

eisfspike, the question should be where are the leads "connected" to?

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Sun May 23, 2021 7:38 pm

If that was purchased from Homebase than I would be passing those images onto the Trading Standards for the area in question. Not to get Homebase into trouble. They may have embarked upon a Contract in good faith having been provided with a sample wired to a better standard.

However, Trading Standards have powers to inititate a Product Recall.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Sun May 23, 2021 7:55 pm

This won't pass CE marking, would it? All 3 wires are same colour, what does the manual say? They don't use choc blocs anymore, they use small junction boxes.