Electrical help please!

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 16:37

Im currently decorating our porch and need to replace a broken light bayonet and we have bought a new round ceiling light. I have just checked that the current setup is earthed so we can use the new light and am baffled by the current wiring.

From these pictures it seems that there are 2 feeds going in and what looks to me that where the earth should go, its got a live feed?? Electrics aren't my strong point so hopefully someone on here can give me some idea.

Im assuming that the wire that is green is the earth but if it is fed from two different supplys then surely I am missing an earth from the other one?

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 17:30

The green earth cable doesnt go anywhere and was just curled up in the empty space.

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 18:02

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately I'm not sure if I still understand? There is not a light outside so still dont really get why its like that?

The replacement light is part metal so I will definitely need to use the earth.

If I put the 2 red cables into the live connector on the new light and twist the 2 blacks into the neutral will that work, or am I reading that one of the black wires is actually the live?

Apologies for my ignorance!

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 18:33

Thanks SB118 for your patience! Here is a picture of the new fitting which has a block built in.

So looking at this I leave the 2 red twisted together and maybe put in a seperate connector block for neatness\safety or do the red still need to connect to this new light fitting? Then one black on N and the other on L and finally fit the earth?

Do I get irony points for taking the picture of it on a DIY manual?

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 18:55

SB118 said:
Spot on, put the red cables into a separate connector block (maybe use some tape to ensure there's no chance of a short, metal body on the light fitting and all), then do as you say with the rest of the wires.

Yes, but you lose man points for actually owning one in the first place.

Last question I promise - I take it if I get the L & N mixed up, the light wont work and I just reverse them as I cant see any clear mark on the current holder?

MrCake · 12 Feb 2011 at 19:48

Adam_151 said:
No it will work fine, but depending on what kind of lampholder it has it may be dangerous!

If its a baynout cap or a GU10, dont worry too much, but if its a screw cap then live must go to the centre pin and NOT the outside (we'll ignore the E27 exception)

What sort of lamp does it take and do you own a multimeter?

The new light fitting runs a 40W G9 halogen bulb - will this be dangerous if I invert the L & N? I do indeed own a multimeter.

I appreciate the concern Dabbles and do know how dangerous electrics are but will be making sure that the lighting circuit is off and will check this before doing anything. I have changed several light switches and wall sockets but this one threw me as it was not what I expected to see.