Light fitting confusion

[Jolyonwag]

Removed old bc fitting which had 3 reds in one hole, 3 black wires in the hole next to it and green to a third hole which I assume is earth. It looks like earth is connected to the brass of the bayonet fitting (pics attached)

Installed new bc fitting from toolstation, keeping reds, blacks and earth separate. Then connect blue and brown of new fitting to black and red terminals on the block. Light stays on permanently and can not be switched off.

After testing with neon driver, discover that when switched activated, earth (or green wire previously attached to earth on old bc fitting) returns ‘live’!

I’ve never come across this before, but light work’s correctly when black and brown wires of fitting connected to three blacks and green( previously earth)

Can some one please confirm if what I have done is safe.

I’m used to live, switched live, and neural & earth at the rose!

Thanks in advance

 

[telectrix]

someone has been very naughty here. looks like they were short of a conductor for the switched L, and used what should be earth as a live conductor. my advice is to call in a local electrician as that is a dangerous situation. worst scenario, could lead to a fatality.

 

[westward10]

The neon screwdriver will be totally unreliable and dangerous. Can you indicate the exact terminal the green was in at the old batten holder, one is just a loop in and serves no purpose as such.

 

[Teddy Lop]

Begs the question if there's one green wire and that's being used as a switch line, where are the other earths and what are they doing?!

Like said this needs a professional to look it over.

 

[MJPD29]

I would say it is not safe

 

[telectrix]

I would say it is not safe

that's this year's understatement. it's less safe than the Titanic.

 

[Pete999]

Removed old bc fitting which had 3 reds in one hole, 3 black wires in the hole next to it and green to a third hole which I assume is earth. It looks like earth is connected to the brass of the bayonet fitting (pics attached)

Installed new bc fitting from toolstation, keeping reds, blacks and earth separate. Then connect blue and brown of new fitting to black and red terminals on the block. Light stays on permanently and can not be switched off.

After testing with neon driver, discover that when switched activated, earth (or green wire previously attached to earth on old bc fitting) returns ‘live’!

I’ve never come across this before, but light work’s correctly when black and brown wires of fitting connected to three blacks and green( previously earth)

Can some one please confirm if what I have done is safe.

I’m used to live, switched live, and neural & earth at the rose!

Thanks in advance

Chuck that neon screwdriver in the nearest bin Mate. potentially a killer

 

[littlespark]

Chuck that neon screwdriver in the nearest bin Mate. potentially a killer

Aren’t all screwdrivers potential killers? Stabby stabby!!

it’s the electricity that you don’t know is there that can kill you.

It’s like falling from height. It’s not the fall that will hurt..... it’s the sudden stop at the bottom .

 

[telectrix]

Aren’t all screwdrivers potential killers? Stabby stabby!!

it’s the electricity that you don’t know is there that can kill you.

It’s like falling from height. It’s not the fall that will hurt..... it’s the sudden stop at the bottom .

i fell off a ladder once. i pressed the Emergency stop. it didn't work. must have been wired by a plumber.

 

[Jolyonwag]

The neon screwdriver will be totally unreliable and dangerous. Can you indicate the exact terminal the green was in at the old batten holder, one is just a loop in and serves no purpose as such.

So, the green was in the more exposed hole (where you can see the tiny screw and the plastic has a gap in it. The other 2 holes had 3 reds twisted together and 3 blacks twisted together, respectively. The baffling thing is that this has been working like this for over 40 years!
I will take on board advice about screwdriver, thank you.