"Jonathan Baker-Bates" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 16:20:57 +0000, Stefek Zaba wrote:

snip
OK. If you want to make the new connections "inside" the new fitting,
your job is basically to faithfully replicate the pattern of connections
inside the existing rose. So, label the wires of the existing cables
carefully. There are four, yes four, sets of cable cores which are being
connected together; so to replicate the existing interconnection you
need a 4-way section of "chocolate block" (terminal block) - if we're
talking doing the best job, try to find the sort which has little leaves
of spring metal clamping down the cable groups instead of just the bare
screw.

One way is for all the earths. One is for "all" the neutrals - if you've
just two cables as the moment, there's most likely just one black N to
which the existing pendant cable's blue core is connected, at one of the
outer of the three blocks in the ceiling rose. That's the one you
connect the N wire of the new fitting to, in the second way of the
choccie block. Next way is for all the permanent lives; again with just
two cables there should be just two of these, one in each cable,
currently connected to the middle one of the three long blocks in a line
across the middle of the rose, and each coloured red - though it's
possible that one's black instead, with or without a bit of red sleeving
or tape on it, if the switch wiring is done "the wrong way round". None
of the wires from your new fitting connects here. Final way is for the
"switched live" or "switch return" - should be just one core of one of
the cables, in the best case black with the bit of red tape/sleeving
mentioned above, if wired "the wrong way round" it'd be red instead, but
in either case currently connected to the other outer block of the rose
and where the brown core of the pendant flex is also connected; this way
is where you'll connect the L wire of the new fitting.

If this doesn't make sense, leave the job alone and get someone who does
have a grasp of what they're doing to wire it up!



Hmm. I was all set to go with this, then looked at the wires coming out of
the ceiling. There are *three* neutrals: one each for the mains and the
switch wires, and one emerging between them.

What's that about? Can I ignore it?

No don't do that! What you'll have is *two* mains cables entering the rose;
one providing power to this light, and then taking power away to feed the
next light, ie continuing the circuit. Together with the switch cable and
the one feeding the lightbulb, that makes 4.

I think the confusion has arisen because the link which somebody posted
earlier (http://www.userview.net/loop2.html)
shows the wiring for the last light on the circuit, where there's no 'next'
light to take power on to. There's a different diagram on the site for your
configuration - see http://www.userview.net/loop1.html

HTH
David