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I'm trying to wire a 2 gang light socket to two ceiling lights in my flat and I'm a bit flummuxed as to what should go where. The light furthest from the switch works in the config shown below. I'm trying to add a light to a ceiling rose closest to the switch that hasn't been used since I moved in.
This is the switch; https://photos.app.goo.gl/rUqVS81MNVhcUKuCA
This light is closest to the switch (doesn't work); https://photos.app.goo.gl/x4ezgfaG97eZgDCi6
This light is furthest from the switch (works); https://photos.app.goo.gl/LQYYWZ3gqXKVcVok9.
Any help would be appreciated, otherwise I suppose I'll have to call one of those professionals in!
I'd be calling in an electrician. I cannot make sense of the wiring from those pictures and you clearly have no idea – it's not worth the risk.
And do you mean a 2-gang switch (not socket) so you can switch either one on independently of the other)?
Ive rewired houses ( as a DIYer) and cannot figure that out. It looks really dodgy wiring.
Sorry but one for the pros.
It's a bit of a dogs dinner, clearly quite old, judging by wire colours, and I think you should call a spark!
On the one that isn't working, the live is either red or yellow, presumably, but I can't see what is coming out of the other side of the yellow connector.
Either way, time to get a professional in.
The standard answer for electrics is "if you're asking on here, leave it alone and call in a pro".
Most things in the house are DIY-able but electrics have so many aspects that don't make sense until you've been trained, and can cause fire and death that the above really does apply.
Looks from the photo like the switch that doesn't work only has one wire going to it, which if so is why it doesn't work.
Get an electrician.
Yeh I do mean switch, sorry typed that in a rush. I've changed lights and switches plenty of times that make sense, but this is a mystery to me- was just wondering if it made sense to anyone else. Guess not, pro it is then.
Looks like my house electrics, before i spent money on a circuit tester. And had a very very long chat with my neighbour (no, not *that* neighbour) who is an electrician.
I'll echo all the "get an electrician" comments
That's been properly bodged at some point - the light fitting that doesnt work doesnt seem to have a neutral (black wire in old colours)
Light fitting that works has permanent live and neutral (red and black) someone has taken 3core and earth from there to the switch. Red is permanent live, 2 gang switch has the two switches connected, there's a short connecting wire between the bottom terminals. Blue and yellow are switched lives back to the ceiling rose (blue wire seems to be taped off in furthest light fitting?)
No idea whats happening between the two light fittings
I’d say the taped up blue in the second fitting is the neutral back to the first, but why it’s been left out is another matter and only some testing will tell you but everything needed seems to be at the fitting it just needs putting together properly
Looks pretty straightforward.
If I understand you have 2 switches. The red coming into the switch is Live/Phase and the yellow and blue control it going to the 2 lights? The red is shared across both switches. Its the blue switched light with issues?
Have you got a tester or some kind?
Is there power to the red terminal on that side?
If you flick the switch is there power to the blue side?
Is there power to the other end of the blue wire in the ceiling rose?
Maybe get a pro in 🙂
Good spot by Markspark.
That taped Blue is most likely the Neutral for the light nearest the switch.
Continuity tester should prove this.
Big question is why it's disconnected, possibly caused nuisance tripping previously...