Two switches

[ajb019]

I've just replaced a standard pendant with a Next light fitting (in the utility room). Unfortunately I didn't take note of how the original fitting was wired. There are two switches but there is only one cable coming into the light -it's three core and earth.

The switch by the kitchen door used to switch on the kitchen lights and the utility light. As did the switch in the utility room.

Now I can wire it so the utility switch does the utility light. And the kitchen switch does the kitchen light. But neither switch does both!

If I put the red wire and the wire with a red jacket on together, the utility light is permanently on.

Any help would be gratefully received.

[ultimatehandyman]

I have never seen 3 core and earth cable at the ceiling rose before

Have you tried connecting the red wire to one of the wires on the light fitting and the wire that is sleeved red to the other wire on the light fitting?

MAKE SURE YOU DONT CONNECT ANY OF THE CIRCUIT WIRES TO THE EARTHING WIRE (if there is one)

If that does not work Markysparky will be familiar with that kind of setup and may be on later to answer!

[ajb019]

I haven't tried that but will try it tonight. I assumed that the two red wires wouldn't go to separate places. Presumably the other wire just gets left out??????

Great site by the way and really useful to someone like me who likes to have a go but has no real idea!

[ultimatehandyman]

Not sure about that wire, it may go with one of the other wires or it may not. Best wait till markysparky answers, hopefully he will be on later.

As I said before I have never seen 3 core cable before at the ceiling rose and so it is best if I leave the answer to someone that will know for definate, rather than me guessing!

Glad you like the site

[markysparky]

I've just replaced a standard pendant with a Next light fitting (in the utility room). Unfortunately I didn't take note of how the original fitting was wired. There are two switches but there is only one cable coming into the light -it's three core and earth.

The switch by the kitchen door used to switch on the kitchen lights and the utility light. As did the switch in the utility room.

Now I can wire it so the utility switch does the utility light. And the kitchen switch does the kitchen light. But neither switch does both!

If I put the red wire and the wire with a red jacket on together, the utility light is permanently on.
Any help would be gratefully received.

This appears to be a feed and switch wire joined together. The one with red sleeving on. Put this into the live of the light fitting and see what happens.

As for the rest of it. If you look in the switches and the lights concerned and tell me what there is.
I might be able to help you out a lot more

[ajb019]

Thanks, I've tried that and it works from the utility switch only.

In the light fitting there is one three core and earth cable coming in - one green/yellow, one blue (with black jacket), one yellow (with red jacket) and one red.

I need to have a look at the switches and let you know.

The utility switch is a single switch.

The kitchen switch has three switches - one operates the lights under the cupboards, one operates one half of the kitchen lights and the other SHOULD operate the other half of the kitchen plus the utility lights.

Thanks for helping

[markysparky]

Thanks, I've tried that and it works from the utility switch only.

In the light fitting there is one three core and earth cable coming in - one green/yellow, one blue (with black jacket), one yellow (with red jacket) and one red.

I need to have a look at the switches and let you know.

The utility switch is a single switch.

The kitchen switch has three switches - one operates the lights under the cupboards, one operates one half of the kitchen lights and the other SHOULD operate the other half of the kitchen plus the utility lights.

Thanks for helping

Ok your utilty room switch is 2 way. You've got a 3 core at the light fitting but with the sleeved wire only connected into the light the switch at the utility room works but the one by the kitchen door doesn't?

Doesn't make sense!

Either there is another cable missing at the light you replaced or you've replaced another light fitting or switch and not terminated correctly!

Have you?

[ajb019]

At the utility switch there are three cables:

red, black, earth *2
red, blue, yellow with red jacket, earth

black, black and blue are connected
earths are together
all reds in one switch terminal
yellow with red jacket in the other switch terminal

At the kitchen switch there are 5 cables, all red, black, earth

all earths are together
3 reds go to top three switch terminals
1 red goes to bottom right switch terminal
1 red goes to bottom left switch terminal
2 small red wires connect the three bottom switch terminals
all blacks together

Markysparks, I bet I've missed out a wire at the light fitting like you suggested!

[ajb019]

anyone got anything to add to this problem???

[ultimatehandyman]

I keep trying to imagine the configuration but cannot, it sounds like the neutrals could be in the switch backboxes rather than at the ceiling rose.

Perhaps if you could post a couple of pictures someone may be able to answer?

It is very difficult to try and guess which wire goes where by reading a description.

[markysparky]

Am I right that both the utility and kitchen swithces are both 2 gang 2 way?

And you want them changed till 1 gang 1 way! is that correct?

[ajb019]

The utility switch is just one switch and should only operate the utility lights. The kitchen switch has three switches, one of which should operate the utility light and one of the kitchen lights.

I'm sorry if I've confused everyone.

[amarg]

This is starting to make sense now, although I am no sparks I looked before and was confused

I'm sure that UHM or Markysparky will be able to answer this when they log on