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Fee Mitchell · May 11, 2013, 05:06 AM

Two wires coming out of wall
First wire has red & white wire
Second wire has red , black & earth
Light going down had 2 red together into a loop connection black , white & earth into, separate terminals
New light only has live, neutral & earth
Can you advise !

Kyle_in_rure · May 11, 2013, 08:13 AM

Could you tell us what country you're in?

Also, what do you mean by "2 red into a loop connection"
It would be great if you could post a photo.
Thanks.

Fee Mitchell · May 11, 2013, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle_in_rure

Could you tell us what country you're in?

Also, what do you mean by "2 red into a loop connection"
It would be great if you could post a photo.
Thanks.

Hi
I am in Australia
Light that I took down had 4 terminals 2 were labeled
Earth & loop
The other 2 terminals had nothing & black & white wires went into each of the remaining terminals
2 red wires were one red wire from each cable
The cable going to switch has only red & white wire & other cable with red, black & earth goes to power
No picture as already dismantled.

Kyle_in_rure · May 11, 2013, 10:51 AM

Okay, if I am correct, in Australia red is live and black is neutral, earth should be bare or green. At the light switch itself, is the cable with the red and white wire the ONLY cable connected to the switch?

Fee Mitchell · May 11, 2013, 02:46 PM

Yes only the red & white at switch

Kyle_in_rure · May 11, 2013, 03:09 PM

Okay, I don't much about Australian wiring practices, but I think I know what's going on, you have what is called a "switch loop" where power goes to the fixture and then to the light switch.

You need to find a way to connect the red wire from the incoming power cable (red, black earth) to the red wire of the other cable that is going to the switch (the red/white cable). In the US we use screw-on wire connectors (like these: wire connectors - Bing Images). I don't know if they use these in Australia, or if they use something similar to British connectors (like these: 2.5mm Push-Wire Connector - 6 Pole - QVS Electrical Supplies | Electrical Wholesaler). Your local hardware store or electrical supply probably sells the connectors you need.

So basically, the two red wires go together. The white wire will go into the "line/live" connection of your new light, the black will go to the "neutral" connection of the light, and the bare/earth connections will go together.

Hope this helps.

Fee Mitchell · May 12, 2013, 02:56 AM

[QUOTE=Kyle_in_rure;3461402]Okay, I don't much about Australian wiring practices, but I think I know what's going on, you have what is called a "switch loop" where power goes to the fixture and then to the light switch.

You need to find a way to connect the red wire from the incoming power cable (red, black earth) to the red wire of the other cable that is going to the switch (the red/white cable). In the US we use screw-on wire connectors (like these: wire connectors - Bing Images). I don't know if they use these in Australia, or if they use something similar to British connectors (like these: [url=

Yes it did it is what I thought but just wanted it clarified
I am from UK & we would use a terminal block to put the red loop wire in. Hopefully have some in my tool box
Thanks

Kyle_in_rure · May 12, 2013, 06:12 AM

Just wondering, can you do your own electrical in australia, and buy your own Hardware? Or is it like a "protected trade?"