which wires go where (ceiling light) and what is each wire?

Question

I am about to fit a ceiling light but I’m confused by so many wires.

from the celiing are the following wires:

> a thick yellow/green cable (which is connected to a single connector block)
> a single yellow wire
> 3 red wires (twisted together)
> 2 black/1 blue (twisted together)

I believe some wires relate to an outside light operated by a double switch on one wall which should operate both ceiling light and outside light respectively.

the light i am going to fit has three wires (blue, brown, green/with slim yellow lines). there is also an earth wire.

Where do I go from here??? don't want to blow all the lights in the house by wiring up wrong.

Answer 1

You don't say if there is an existing fitting in place. If so, it should also have a brown, blue and earth (yellow/green) wires. So you just replace like for like.

If not, put the brown wire in with the yellow wire (switched live), the blue wire with the blue/black wires (neutral) and the green/yellow wires to the other green/yellows (earth).

Leave the red wires (permanent lives) alone.

Don't forget to switch the circuit breaker off before you start work at the consumer unit.

Answer 2

I'm having trouble visualizing exactly what you're seeing. If I understand you correctly the wires coming out of the ceiling should be as follows; thick yellow/green cable is most likely the ceiling ground and probably attached to the ceiling box by a screw? Not sure about the yellow wire, probably positive, but the red and blue should be positive and the black negative.
The reason for the different wires is your home is probably pre-wired for a ceiling fan. Generally the blue wire goes to the fan and is controlled by a separate switch, and then normally a white or red wire for the positive for the light; again, controlled by a separate switch. Black should always be negative.
I don't understand why your light has so many different wires though? Usually just a positive and negative unless you have multiple lights you want controlled by different switches?
Maybe the link below will be more assistance...

Answer 3

Right, the yellow and yellow green are earth,
the 3 red wires are live
the 2 black are earth

so you connect - blue to black (neutral)
red to red- (live)
G/Y-G/Y - (earth)

this is how it should be done but some houses have weird wireing, just go safe and switch all the electric off 1st

and just look at the old ceiling rose and try and replace them the same way in the new 1

Answer 4

Please ignore anyone not familiar with UK wiring or UK legislation regarding domestic electrics. Neither answers are relevant.

Just get some coloured tape and mark each group as they are connected together. Re-connect in same combination. (Four colours will be needed I suspect.) You may also need some plastic terminal strip.

Whichever connection(s) go down to your existing light will be switched live, neutral (& maybe an earth if it's metallic).

Just be sure to connect the slim green/yellow stripe on your new fitting AND the Earth wire into the earthing terminal.

Answer 5

Call an electrician, and make sure they are Part P registered. It is illegal now to fiddle with your electrics yourself (in the UK). and you dont say where you are Colours of wires can vary according to a countrys rules and regs. So any answer has to be treated with care.

Answer 6

Call the electrician. with that many wires you really should know what wire goes where.

Answer 7

Call an electrician it better to be safe than fried by 240 volts!

Answer 8

I'd get an electrician in to fit it - well that's what I've always done anyway. Best not to tamper with something that can kill you or friends/family I always feel!

Answer 9

2 reds together, 1 black with brown off lamp, 1 Black with blue off lamp Ideally you should test out which cable goes to the switch & mark it accordingly

Answer 10

well all i know is red to red black to black and blue to f!ck lol