How can I wire up my new ceiling light?

Help!! I have a new ceiling light which does not require the old ceiling rose. I therefore (stupidly!!!) removed the old one and DIDN’T make a note of which wire was which :S So I now have 4 red wires coming from the ceiling – 2 of which seem to be coming from one tube? 2 black wires and the earth wire. I’m confused about the 4 red wires!!!! Are two of them live and 2 of them for the switch?? Please help
I’m in the UK

Three of the four red wires must be treated as always live and connected together. They are:

2 are the lighting ring main.
1 goes down to the switch.

The black wires which go off along your ceiling are also part of the ring circuit. They must all be connected together.

It is likely that the two reds "in the same tube" are for the switch. If you look closely you may see that they are actually one red and one black with a sleeve.
The red goes down to the switch and the sleeved black comes up from it. This wire will become Live when the switch is operated. You must check this with a meter or neon screwdriver.

The red is connected to the ‘ring’ reds and the sleeved wire is connected to the brown lead of the light fitting. Connect the blue wire from the light fitting to the Blacks.

Connect all earths together.

Make sure that the power is isolated before handling the wires and if in doubt get an electrician.

7 Responses to “How can I wire up my new ceiling light?”

  1. Peter, on February 17th, 2010 at 12:30 pm Said:

    UNDER KNOW CIRCUMSTANCES MUST YOU TOUCH THIS LIGHT.
    SEEK ELECTRICIAN IMMEDIATELY,
    The 4 red wires are live, black is neutral,earth is earth. The 4 red wires are all live 2 might be coming in and 2 going out.
    References :

  2. Duane, on February 17th, 2010 at 12:43 pm Said:

    you are going to need a tester, u could make one out of a light that has wire instead of plug.
    References :

  3. Hamback, on February 17th, 2010 at 12:54 pm Said:

    It’s a ring circuit so you have more than wire for live, neutral and earth. The colours you gave are normally

    Red – Always live
    Black – neutral
    Green / yellow – earth

    If changing a fitting to one that only has a 3 way connector, you will need to buy a terminal connector to join the other cables and then tuck it into the ceiling void.

    You should end up as follows.

    All the reds, connected together.

    All the blacks connected together. Then connect the blue from the light fitting into this group.

    All green / yellows connected together.

    If you are still not confident call in a qualified electrician
    References :
    Electrical Engineer with 17th edition wiring experience

  4. TREVOR S, on February 17th, 2010 at 1:04 pm Said:

    Pay an electrican to do it numpty, its safe, not too expensive and within the law I think you’ll find. everyone to their own as the saying goes
    References :

  5. Girlie Electrics, on February 17th, 2010 at 1:48 pm Said:

    All earth wires together.
    Both Black wires together onto neutral of light
    connect one red from the ‘tube’ pair to ‘live’ connection on light.
    connect 3 remaining reds together but not connect to light in any way
    References :

  6. KevLEC, on February 17th, 2010 at 1:59 pm Said:

    Easy-take 1 red which comes through tube with 2 in & connect this to brown of new light,connect other reds (3) in a connector & push to back out of way,connect blacks (2) to blue of light,green & yellows all together in 1 connector.
    You are right about reds 3 are live,1 in,1 out to next room,1 to switch,
    other red (in tube with 2 in) is a return from switch to power light.
    References :
    Lecky

  7. The Tank, on February 17th, 2010 at 2:29 pm Said:

    Three of the four red wires must be treated as always live and connected together. They are:

    2 are the lighting ring main.
    1 goes down to the switch.

    The black wires which go off along your ceiling are also part of the ring circuit. They must all be connected together.

    It is likely that the two reds "in the same tube" are for the switch. If you look closely you may see that they are actually one red and one black with a sleeve.
    The red goes down to the switch and the sleeved black comes up from it. This wire will become Live when the switch is operated. You must check this with a meter or neon screwdriver.

    The red is connected to the ‘ring’ reds and the sleeved wire is connected to the brown lead of the light fitting. Connect the blue wire from the light fitting to the Blacks.

    Connect all earths together.

    Make sure that the power is isolated before handling the wires and if in doubt get an electrician.
    References :

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