In article ,
"db" wrote:


Now I have placed the thicker gray in the neutral and the live in the live
and the 2 black in the earth and now the lamp stays on all the time.



I have tried every combination, and it is either inverted or always on or
always off.

You need a wiring diagram. I made exactly the same mistake when my
daughter pulled one of the wires out changing a bulb. The mistake I made
was not to credit that the wire could reach across to the switch.
Finally I realised I needed help and consulted the Collins DIY manual.
One of the roses detailed in there was what I had and then it was fixed.

Get yourself a relevant book before proceeding or call a sparky.

Peter

--
Peter Ashby
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland
To assume that I speak for the University of Dundee is to be deluded.
Reverse the Spam and remove to email me.