3 pairs of red & black wires out of the wall.wer should they go in new light fitting.tape & leave them?group?

Question

There are 3 pairs of red & black wires coming out of the wall where a previous light socket was. I have installed lights before, however in this case there are more wires than required. In the previous light fitting the red wires were all contacting each other in one socket, two black wires where in another socket and the third was in its own.

How should I spread the wires across the new fitting, in the crimp? I have three sockets available (one for earth). Should I group the three red wires in one socket and the three blacks in one socket? Or should I put one pair of wires in two sockets i.e one red wire in one socket and one black in the other socket (one earth) and then tape the other wires up, individually, and shove them back into the wall?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Answer 1

I would use a wirenut and place all the wires of the same color together with a short wire added that is stripped on both ends this will have all of the grouped together with a bare wire used to connect to the new outlet. then the same with the other color.
when you are finished you should have two sets of wires grouped together with a lead coming out of each bundle to hook to the new outlet and a earth ground. make sure after the wirenut to tape so the wires will not expose while tucking them back in the wall.

Answer 2

When you have a red pair of wires it means that this is a 3 way switch. Example, most hallways use these because you can turn the light on from either end of the hallway. You need to buy a 3 way switch from lowes or home depot and either read the instructions or ask someone there. They can probably explain it better. You can also open up the switch at the other end of the hallway and look at how its wired. But bottom line is you need a 3 way switch.

Answer 3

Bad advice here. Matching all of the same color is not necessarily correct. Red does not necessarily mean a 3 way switch. As I said in the other version of this question (why'd you ask it twice?), you need an electrician.