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Covenant
19-01-2016, 08:20
Over Christmas the wall lights in my living room stopped working. There are six wall lights controlled by a double switch ( 4 and 2 lights). At the weekend I checked the switch and the light fittings with an electrical screwdriver to confirm that there was power. I have also checked the circuit breaker and replaced all the CF bulbs. The house was built in the eighties so the wiring should be ok.
I dont mind getting an electrician to sort it but I was wondering if there is anything else I can try?:scratch:

struth
19-01-2016, 09:38
Might be using a controller box and that could be problem.. If bulbs and wiring is ok

Oldpinkman
19-01-2016, 09:47
Sounds a bit like the classic dodgy car light bulb - the earth not the "live". In this case the "neutral" not the live. If you are touching a screwdriver to the "hot" terminal at the bulb holder itself and getting a voltage, and you have changed the bulbs, then the only way this circuit isn't working is if the return "neutral" connection isn't good.

If you've had to ask the question, you probably need an electrician.

Mark Grant
19-01-2016, 11:37
I would also suggest the Neutral wire, it will be loose or snapped off somewhere or the cable partly cut with neutral wire damaged but live OK.
Has any DIY work been done over Christmas that could have damaged or moved anything.

Audio Al
19-01-2016, 13:45
Drilled any holes in the walls ?

Mark Grant
19-01-2016, 15:29
Or hammered any nails into walls to hang pictures or decorations.

Covenant
19-01-2016, 19:35
No to all those but the wall lights were put up by me with those little connector block thingies. I will re-do all the connectors at the week end.
Thanks for the advice.

Alan D
19-01-2016, 20:57
As none of the lamps are working on both of your switched lives, the neutral fault will most likely be in the feed from the DB.
Did you join the neutral in the switch back box? look there first.

Covenant
20-01-2016, 07:52
As none of the lamps are working on both of your switched lives, the neutral fault will most likely be in the feed from the DB.
Did you join the neutral in the switch back box? look there first.
No, I joined the lives.