This is a simple one for you.. I'm replacing a light fitting but which wire goes to the live terminal on thenew fitting, there are no markings on the existing one... Black or Red??? :confused:

Yes, the power is of etc etc... I'm not thick, just having a blonde moment

Damn old stylee wires, can't mum just buy a new house instead?

:cool:

i'd go with red=live.

just a guess, though. :)

Come on somebody must know... SN can't let me down...

if it's only a light it shouldn't make much difference if you get it wrong.

red is live in any case - see here (http://www.iee.org/Publish/WireRegs/IEE_Harmonized_colours.pdf)

Red is the live, black is neutral.

If you've only got two wires then red is the live and black is the neutral. Be careful to see if your new light needs an earth as well - if there's not one available you might need to run one.

If you've more than two wires (excluding the earth) then you have a loop system to contend with hence you need to be more careful.

BTW just because a light works doesn't mean it is wired correctly. The switch must isolate the live part of the feed as otherwise you can have the situation where one of the the lamp contacts is live even when the switch is off.

Hope this helps,

tiggers.

Also, does it go into a ceiling rose? If so turn off the lighting circuit at the breaker because there may be wires in the rose that are permanently live even with the light switch off. If this is the case there will be more than two wires there to choose from so make a note of which two the old one is wired to because if you wire it wrong it will either not work at all or it will be on permanently!

I don't get involved with house wiring but as an Electrical Engineer the most common phone call from friends and Family is........


I've changed a light fitting and now have 3 reds/browns and 3 blacks/blues, have connected them all together and it's tripping the breaker. :rolleyes:

If there are only two wires then red for live black for neutral, if its a steel fitting or has steel fixings then make sure it's earthed. If there are earth wires make sure they are connected together.
If you have many reds and blacks then tell us what you have.

Cheers
Lee

Have a single red, single black and an earth.. :D All is clear and wired up. Thanx, I knew you wouldn't let me down.. :D:D:D

Had to pop out for bulbs - she didn't buy any :rolleyes: but it all works a treat.

Thanks again.

:cool:

here you go, for future reference ;)

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/computing/MainPage/SecDepts/Physics/Resources/Glossary/Plug.gif