Simple electric question - lighting
Discussion
I've replaced my loft light with some LED strips.
Problem is it isnt quite wired correctly.
Currently when the light switch is 'off' the lights are on. If I flip the switch to 'on' it trips the RCD, so I am making a short circuit...
Here is my dodgy diagram of before and after the change. Sorry for colour change between the two...
In the second drawing, A, B & C are wago connectors.
I am not going any further without some input from a pro! Help welcomed...
Problem is it isnt quite wired correctly.
Currently when the light switch is 'off' the lights are on. If I flip the switch to 'on' it trips the RCD, so I am making a short circuit...
Here is my dodgy diagram of before and after the change. Sorry for colour change between the two...
In the second drawing, A, B & C are wago connectors.
I am not going any further without some input from a pro! Help welcomed...
You’ve assumed the reds are lives and the blacks neutrals in a loop in system is my guess.
If so, my guess is that you’ve connected the transformer to the permanent live and neutral, with the switch wire (which is probably black, but should have been sleeved) also going neutral via the switch and causing a short when the switch is closed.
You need professional help as the wires need tested out to find which is which.
If so, my guess is that you’ve connected the transformer to the permanent live and neutral, with the switch wire (which is probably black, but should have been sleeved) also going neutral via the switch and causing a short when the switch is closed.
You need professional help as the wires need tested out to find which is which.
Typical Ill have a go and see what I can do...
Lucky this time no one hurt, nothing burned down....
If you are not sure about electrics don't dabble !
Need something to test the wires, to find out what is live neutral earth and what is switched live.
Then sort out your connections that way.
Lucky this time no one hurt, nothing burned down....
If you are not sure about electrics don't dabble !
Need something to test the wires, to find out what is live neutral earth and what is switched live.
Then sort out your connections that way.
Audis5b9 said:
Agreed, do you think there is any issue leaving the lights up there permanently on in the meantime?
Alternatively I could go and separate it onto individual wagos until a sparky can come help.
I’d just leave it alone for now, assuming no one else is likely to access the switch.Alternatively I could go and separate it onto individual wagos until a sparky can come help.
If you separate the Wago’s now you’re likely to lose some other lights on the circuit
I might've misunderstood the diagram, but I'm _guessing_ you've assumed the colours are interchangeable.
In your diagram, one of the black wires going to the bulb is the neutral, and the other is the live (which should've been sleeved).
You can't just connect "to the black wire" because there's two different ones.
In your diagram, one of the black wires going to the bulb is the neutral, and the other is the live (which should've been sleeved).
You can't just connect "to the black wire" because there's two different ones.
Jakg said:
In your diagram, one of the black wires going to the bulb is the neutral, and the other is the live (which should've been sleeved).
Yes, wasnt aware the two black wires going into the bulb weren't the same...Live and learn.
When I did the same job in my garage it worked out ok, but it didn't have this loop...
Right, I'm going get a kicking for this:
Leave transformer 3 on the Earth wago
Take transformer 2 off the Red/"neutral" wago but leave the original two reds joined - this is the looped live feed.
Take the right hand black off wago A - leave transformer 1 joined to Wago A.
Join transformer 2 to the right hand black with another wago
Basically just replace the original circle with a cross with your two new feeds from the new light.
All at your own risk of course. I'd suggest a sparky would be the wiser course of action but you'll probably just pop the breaker if anything goes wrong. With a bit of luck anyway.
Leave transformer 3 on the Earth wago
Take transformer 2 off the Red/"neutral" wago but leave the original two reds joined - this is the looped live feed.
Take the right hand black off wago A - leave transformer 1 joined to Wago A.
Join transformer 2 to the right hand black with another wago
Basically just replace the original circle with a cross with your two new feeds from the new light.
All at your own risk of course. I'd suggest a sparky would be the wiser course of action but you'll probably just pop the breaker if anything goes wrong. With a bit of luck anyway.
Mr Pointy said:
Right, I'm going get a kicking for this:
Leave transformer 3 on the Earth wago
Take transformer 2 off the Red/"neutral" wago but leave the original two reds joined - this is the looped live feed.
Take the right hand black off wago A - leave transformer 1 joined to Wago A.
Join transformer 2 to the right hand black with another wago
Basically just replace the original circle with a cross with your two new feeds from the new light.
All at your own risk of course. I'd suggest a sparky would be the wiser course of action but you'll probably just pop the breaker if anything goes wrong. With a bit of luck anyway.
SUCCESS - thank you Mr Pointy, this has solved it. Leave transformer 3 on the Earth wago
Take transformer 2 off the Red/"neutral" wago but leave the original two reds joined - this is the looped live feed.
Take the right hand black off wago A - leave transformer 1 joined to Wago A.
Join transformer 2 to the right hand black with another wago
Basically just replace the original circle with a cross with your two new feeds from the new light.
All at your own risk of course. I'd suggest a sparky would be the wiser course of action but you'll probably just pop the breaker if anything goes wrong. With a bit of luck anyway.
Final diagram
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