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I have the classic ceiling pendant situation where I need to find which wires are which. I have got a mulitmeter but no idea how to use it as yet.

I have 3 cables - both red, black and earth.
The switch live has not been marked.

I realise one is loop, one is from consumer unit and the other is the switch. How, using the multimeter, can I find whats what?

Hello,

Your multmeter will have a bell function. It should have an audible tone when the 2 probes touch together, it's this fuction needed to carry out the test.

Firstly! remove all light bulbs on the rest of the circuit. If any fluorescents are connected or make sure they are switched off.

Then have the 3 cables seperated from each other and with the light switch turned on and check for and audible tone between red and black between each cable.

When you get a tone from your multimeter, turn off light switch and the audible tone should stop.

Better still get somebody else to turn on and off light switch whilst you check each cable with the multimeter.

Let us know how you get on!