urgent Plz...Wiring a switch!

[Martin_M]

Hi guys, I'm trying to wire a simple on off bathroom light switch but every time I turn the power back on, the light remains permanently on.

I have 3 light brown wires in the L terminal, the earth is in the correct place which leaves me with a black and dark brown wire with an L1 and L2 terminal.

I've tried both in L1, both in L2 and one in each and the light remains permanently on.

Could anyone advise?

Thanks
Martin

[Martin_M]

Thanks, I assume the dark brown wire, is permanent live but in which terminal does it go? I'm pretty sure that the 3 light brown wires are correctly placed in L

[Martin_M]

Laptop broken and typing on phone sir.

I have 3 terminals L, L1 and L2 and an earth

Earth wire is sorted

I have a light brown wire, a black, a dark brown and 3 light brown wires

The 3 light brown wires were in L when I unscrewed the plug, the black and dark brown were loose so not sure where they go. Everything I try results in light permanently on

[Martin_M]

Sorry to clarify...a black, a dark brown and 3 light brown

[Martin_M]

No fan other switches working when black and dark brown in L1 and l2

[Martin_M]

I have 4 browns in total. The three light coloured browns seem naturally clumped together and I'm 99% sure they were located in the L terminal. The earth wire is in the correct place but no matter what I do with the black and dark brown cables, the light remains permanently on.

[Martin_M]

Nickbrapp said:

ONe of those wires is the switch. Find the cable that has the black of ot
Covered with brown tape, put one of those into the clump of 3 others and the other direct into the light.

It sounds like you are just putting power straight to the light and by passing the switch,

You should have power in, power out with black and red or blue and brown and another cable which is 2 Browns.

Have you checked the light switch is off?

Thanks for your input but I don't understand much of that I'm afraid. I understand what people are saying about me bypassing the switch function but what I'm hoping is that someone can tell me what to do with the dark brown and black wires given that I'm pretty certain the 3 light brown in the L terminal are in the correct place.

[Martin_M]

Using my phone - hopefully this is helpful:

[Martin_M]

I added the dark brown wire to the same terminal as the three light brown in the pic above to see what would happen but to no avail

[Martin_M]

Alucidnation said:

try putting the dark brown wire into l2 and leave the rest in place for now.

I've tried that and the light stays on constantly. Likewise when I swap them over.

[Martin_M]

Alucidnation said:

ok, it looks like one of the brown wires should go to the light and the rest are circuit wires, however, seeing that the blue has been sleeved as the earth, it makes me wonder what else isnt as it seems.

Is there an extractor fan in there as well?

There is indeed but we have a separate switch for that.

[Martin_M]

Alucidnation said:

ok, it looks like one of the brown wires should go to the light and the rest are circuit wires, however, seeing that the blue has been sleeved as the earth, it makes me wonder what else isnt as it seems.

Is there an extractor fan in there as well?

There should be a grey wire in there somewhere as well

Edited by Alucidnation on Tuesday 28th July 21:56

Edit: the grey wire is attached to a little plastic box and sits in the wall recess.

[Martin_M]

Edit again - just tried the extractor fan and it isn't working when I use the other switch. At present, light is on permanently.

[Martin_M]

wire is attached to one of these

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=grey+wire+switch...

The light has worked perfectly for years - I loosened the switch cover to paint and felt some wires come out which is why this situation has occurred :-(

[Martin_M]

Really appreciate your help as I'm clueless but why would I want to cap the brown wires off - they have been in the L terminal for 4 years with no problems so I don't think they are the issue. The dark brown and black were the loose cables so I'm thinking it's a problem there...

Edit: you didn't say cap the brown wires did you lol I'm reluctant to cap any off though as it worked this morning with every wire in the right place, it's just that I'm not sure where the right place for the remaining two wires is.

[Martin_M]

I understand...I think! I'll try it in the morning when I have some light.

I don't have any of those plastic things but what you're saying is, remove the dark brown and black wires from L1/L2 and try one of the three light brown wires currently in L, in L1 ? Then continue trial and error to see if it works? So I'll end up with two light brown wires in L and a third in L1?

Assuming the light then worked, where would the dark brown and black wires go if they are for the fan right enough?

[Martin_M]

Ok thanks - the reason I ask about the remaining two wires in because I'll be out tomorrow and assuming the above works, the wires will need to simply hang out of the fitting - will that be okay?

[Martin_M]

Okay, thanks again - will try what you suggested and post back!

[Martin_M]

Did what you said sir and the switch is now working with two of the light brown wires in L and a third in L1.

That leaves me with the dark brown and black - I did try a few combinations but couldn't get the fan to work. We rarely use the downstairs toilet so I'm not sure if the light needs to be on for the fan to work. The fan has its own switch above the door so I'm guessing not.

Looking forward to hearing how I sort this and thanks once again!

Martin

[Martin_M]

Thanks but previous advice has worked so far - I'm only left with the black and dark brown wires so hopefully the man in the know will be able to advise me later :-)