No power through ceiling rose

[nicebutdim]

To what point and purpose? I wouldn't learn anything. As it happens, I did learn. I knew the problem was related to the lampholder in some way, and I now know as does everyone on this post, and any other reader of this post, that in such a situation, try adjusting the terminals first.
Had I paid for a spark, they'd have diagnosed the cause in minutes, but this thread would not have existed, as I would not have felt compelled to document my experience somewhere, so others would similarly be in the dark too, as the B&Q customer feedback section demonstrates

Probably the greatest lesson to learn is about buying cheap electrical products from DIY outlets. In this instance it was a simple enough fix, but a lot of light fixtures sold in the UK are of terrible design - mainly a nightmare for compliant installation, but often also stretching the defininitions provided in applicable British Standards.

Two things that amaze me in this life are flimsy insulation provided as protection against electric shock and cheap fibre washers that we depend on to not have flooded homes.

 

[smartin1612]

You said that you had spent days troubleshooting this problem.

If you had used a meter properly to check for continuity in the first instance, you wouldn't have had to go through the motions of wiring plugs leads etc.

The only mention in your posts of a multi meter was in not feeling the need to use one, but you did show a pic of your totally unsuitable £1 voltage checker, which was the item I was referring to.

You really need to learn to read between the lines, and not
Just accept that you jumped to conclusions based on this being posted to the DIY borad. You assumed that because I hadn't explicitly made reference to various steps or using a multimeter, and I included my voltmeter in shot as I had just checked for voltage - it being easier with the flat-head screwdriver at that moment in time rather than traipse back upstairs to grab my multimeter, you've decided novice.
And, as a week had passed between my starting and cocluding, you have assumed that this was down to DIY incompetence rather than accept my explanation of lack of light and not wanting to work on electrics in the dark.

Through troubleshooting, I've managed to identify the root-cause as a poor terminal design and not, my initial thoughts as a problem with the rose.

Probably the greatest lesson to learn is about buying cheap electrical products from DIY outlets. In this instance it was a simple enough fix, but a lot of light fixtures sold in the UK are of terrible design - mainly a nightmare for compliant installation, but often also stretching the defininitions provided in applicable British Standards.

Two things that amaze me in this life are flimsy insulation provided as protection against electric shock and cheap fibre washers that we depend on to not have flooded homes.

Its actually really frustrating though, this was supposed to have been a quick replacement, as I said earlier, properly jarring when nothing worked.
We've lived in this house for 10 years - as tenants, purchasing from the landlord at the start of November, so we're in the process of making loads of changes which includes building our [long-awaited] extension, moving and fitting new radiators, extending the ring in several rooms, and switching terrible light fittings over.
But its fixed now, lesson-learned - start-off small and work up: so much more easier to adjust terminals away as well as toward (I only moved toward thinking the terminal wasn't making contact, and then suspected something else).
Its just a shame I placed too much faith in the lampholder. Oh well.

B&Q does make some good quality items, and many of their materials are cheaper but of the same quality as Wickes and TP, so it can be a bit hit and miss in determining between that which is good and that which isn't.

 

[nicebutdim]

B&Q does make some good quality items, and many of their materials are cheaper but of the same quality as Wickes and TP, so it can be a bit hit and miss in determining between that which is good and that which isn't.

In fairness, there's also plenty of junk available from electrical wholesalers

 

[mainline]

I included my voltmeter in shot as I had just checked for voltage

That thing is not a reliable or accurate means of testing and is better off in the bin.

 

[smartin1612]

In fairness, there's also plenty of junk available from electrical wholesalers

Oh don't get me started, I swear there's been an increase in junk these last few years, and we can lay most of it squarely at the feet of Amazon.
In order to keep-up, the large retailers buy the same junk and re-package it hoping that most will never find the time to return their rubbish. I live in a small village and am permanently home-based which generally means 8-6 (if I'm lucky), so B&Q is so much more closer for me than anything.

But electrical products aren't the only items to be crap, there's plenty of crazy expensive terrible IT equipment masquerading as high-quality too; wireless networks are the worst for it.
So really, whats a £4 ceiling pendant or light switch compared with a £150 router, just to find that false advertising has indicated two devices from the same line, from the same manufacturer, are not capable of forming a mesh system, as the indicated mesh system exists purely in the head of the person who drafted the advert.
I prefer databases and data engineering, these are incapable of lying about their abilities.

 

[mainline]

You find in all walks of life the type of people who believe they are competent, but actually know less than some novices.

 

[smartin1612]

You find in all walks of life the type of people who believe they are competent, but actually know less than some novices.

But as long as they're willing to learn, thats all that matters.
Its always a difficult moment having to fire someone who is unwilling to improve their skills despite multiple opportunities and support; from my perspective as the team manager, sometimes it can really hurt, as though I've somehow let them down.

 

[suffolkspark]

Looks as simple as that neutral being bent too far in so instead of sliding up the side of the thread, it stopped the lamp screwing all the way in so it didnt contact the line pin. Pretty common.

 

[MJPD29]

The wiring in those photos is horrendous. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

 

[smartin1612]

Looks as simple as that neutral being bent too far in so instead of sliding up the side of the thread, it stopped the lamp screwing all the way in so it didnt contact the line pin. Pretty common.

Oh, that's an interesting way of looking at it, I didn't think of that