Issues with old light fitting replacement

[DIYdan]

Hi all.

Removed an ancient light fitting, replaced with a newer one, the light comes on but can't be turned off with the switch. It was working before. Any idea where I'm going wrong? The old light fitting had all neutral and all live to the wrapped and inserted into the corresponding terminals and then the seperate black wire elsewhere which I'm guessing is for the switch. I'm trying to replace with a ceiling rose. Thanks

 

[westward10]

Can you show how it is currently connected?

 

[DIYdan]

Can you show how it is currently connected?

Hi, it's as shown in the pic now. I had all the live to the live and all the neutral to neutral, the singular black wire I thought at first to be earth but it wasn't, I tried placing it in the loop section but still no light switch functionality and I also tried placing it in a neutral point but that then flipped the fuse

 

[westward10]

The single black is the return from the switch this goes to the live of the light. Keep all the reds together but not connected to the light. The other blacks are neutral. Those bare earths tucked into the ceiling need sleeving and correctly connecting together, I suspect they are just twisted. Does the light need an earth?
What connectors are you using for all those wires?

 

[DIYdan]

The single black is the return from the switch this goes to the live of the light. Keep all the reds together but not connected to the light. The other blacks are neutral. Those bare earths tucked into the ceiling need sleeving and correctly connecting together, I suspect they are just twisted. Does the light need an earth?
What connectors are you using for all those wires?

Ahh so the single black wire goes to live. That's where I must have been going wrong then. There isn't enough space on the rose so I'll join all the reds and blacks via a wago. The earth wire were like that when I pulled the socket so doesn't seem to be needed.

So just to confirm all reds to live, all neutrals to neutral and then the single black to live aswell. I'll be back at the house shortly so will hook it all up and report back. Thanks for the assist.

I don't do a lot of stuff that causes me issues, I mostly do games console repairs, but each time I've come here it's been super quick replies and great help, so thanks very much, I appreciate you

 

[westward10]

No the reds together but not connected to the light the only live to the light is that single black. What sort of light are you fitting because those earths and all connections require correct enclosures, not pushed into the ceiling. Maybe this should be left to a professional.

 

[DIYdan]

No the reds together but not connected to the light the only live to the light is that single black. What sort of light are you fitting because those earths and all connections require correct enclosures, not pushed into the ceiling. Maybe this should be left to a professional.

The reds were all connected together and connected into the old fitting, along with the blacks and single black wire. I'm trying to replace it with a rose fitting

 

[westward10]

If it was an old batten holder they would have been connected to a terminal on it this was the loop but it was just a terminal for those wires. If you are fitting a rose all those wires including the earths need connecting within it. This can be done but is possibly beyond what you can do.

 

[DIYdan]

If it was an old batten holder they would have been connected to a terminal on it this was the loop but it was just a terminal for those wires. If you are fitting a rose all those wires including the earths need connecting within it. This can be done but is possibly beyond what you can do.

Yeah the fitting was ancient. OK so using the modern rose needs the earths connecting aswell.

So all live and neutral connected.

Single black wire to loop and then connect the earths once I've shielded them.

 

[westward10]

Four reds to loop.
Three blacks to neutral.
Single black to live.
Earths to earth terminal.

 

[DIYdan]

Four reds to loop.
Three blacks to neutral.
Single black to live.
Earths to earth terminal.

Ahh yeah when I see it like that it makes sense lol. Top man I'll let you know how I get on as going back to the house now

 

[westward10]

Show a pic when your are done.

 

[DIYdan]

Show a pic when your are done.

Done and working perfectly. Had to use wago connections for all the wires and chisel the roof for them to fit. But all done and working now. Thanks for the assist

 

[westward10]

I'm sorry to say that is a totally inappropriate and dangerous way to do it. Unenclosed connections in the ceiling void are a fire hazard so you created a potentially dangerous situation. Is it your house?

 

[DIYdan]

I'm sorry to say that is a totally inappropriate and dangerous way to do it. Unenclosed connections in the ceiling void are a fire hazard so you created a potentially dangerous situation. Is it your house?

The connections are enclosed within the connectors. There is no void, just a little plaster chipped away

 

[westward10]

The connectors and wires require enclosure. Is it your house?

 

[DIYdan]

The connections are enclosed within the connectors. There is no void, just a little plaster chipped away

I'll get some electrical tape for them

 

[westward10]

That is not sufficient either.
I'll ask again is it your house?

 

[DIYdan]

That is not sufficient either.
I'll ask again is it your house?

Yes

 

[MDJ]

OMG, a rewire is imminent lol