Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.

Can someone please help?

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...t-3054757-.htm

Le Bui writes:
Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.



I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.



Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:



1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work

2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.

3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).



I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.



Can someone please help?

https://www.familyhandyman.com/proje...reeway-switch/

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:56:16 GMT,
(Scott Lurndal) wrote:

Le Bui writes:
Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.



I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.



Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:


N is neutral.
L is what? Low?
E is electromotive force?

Perhaps you should put the N of one cable in , and the L of the other
cable. And then connect the remaining L and N with a wire nut.

But it would sure help to know what E is first. .

And I'd do t h is with the swtich off and the fuse or circuit breaker
off, then stand back when you turn them on because I don't know what N,
L, or E is.


1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work

2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.

3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even
when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the
light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well
(meaning the combination is causing some conflict).


I think you have a NO and FFO switch.



I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.



Can someone please help?

https://www.familyhandyman.com/proje...reeway-switch/

On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?

What was there before?

If this is a normal US wired box with one hot 2 wire + ground cable
coming in and the other 2 wire + ground cable going to the switch you
would connect the neutral from the hot to the light, the black hot to
the white switch leg wire (reidentified black) and the black from the
switch leg to the light. If there is a red wire in there we need to
start over.

micky pretended :
In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:56:16 GMT,
(Scott Lurndal) wrote:

Le Bui writes:
Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions
but none actually sort out my problem.



I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for
N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I
saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a
simple wiring system.



Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of
them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried
different combination:


N is neutral.
L is what? Low?
E is electromotive force?

Perhaps you should put the N of one cable in , and the L of the other
cable. And then connect the remaining L and N with a wire nut.

But it would sure help to know what E is first. .

And I'd do t h is with the swtich off and the fuse or circuit breaker
off, then stand back when you turn them on because I don't know what N,
L, or E is.

Neutral, Line, and Earth most likely.

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:18:58 -0400,
wrote:

On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?

What was there before?

If this is a normal US wired box with one hot 2 wire + ground cable
coming in and the other 2 wire + ground cable going to the switch you
would connect the neutral from the hot to the light, the black hot to
the white switch leg wire (reidentified black) and the black from the
switch leg to the light. If there is a red wire in there we need to
start over.

If we conflict, go with Fritterwell here.

writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?

It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light.

Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?

It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light..

Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it's
a three way situation. Why don't people who are unfamiliar with wiring mark
what they take apart? It's also a safety issue.

trader_4 writes:
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questi=
ons but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2=
for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And=
I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a=
simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that on=
e of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tri=
ed different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The s=
witch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Li=
kewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even w=
hen the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light =
goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning th=
e combination is causing some conflict).=20

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the =
two N and the two L) but none working.=20

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?
=20
It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light=
.
=20
Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it'=

He said "I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E)" (where I presumed the
E stood for Extra), implying a three-wire cable.

Perhaps he meant "E" was ground, but he probably shouldn't be
messing with the wiring if that's the case.

On Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:47:39 GMT, (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:

trader_4 writes:
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questi=
ons but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2=
for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And=
I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a=
simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that on=
e of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tri=
ed different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The s=
witch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Li=
kewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even w=
hen the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light =
goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning th=
e combination is causing some conflict).=20

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the =
two N and the two L) but none working.=20

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?
=20
It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light=
.
=20
Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it'=

He said "I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E)" (where I presumed the
E stood for Extra), implying a three-wire cable.

Perhaps he meant "E" was ground, but he probably shouldn't be
messing with the wiring if that's the case.

The part that raises the hair on the back of my neck is the approach of "I
don't know how to hook this up so I'll just try different combinations and
see what happens."

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:24:13 -0500, Jim Joyce
wrote:

On Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:47:39 GMT, (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:

trader_4 writes:
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questi=
ons but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2=
for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And=
I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a=
simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that on=
e of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tri=
ed different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The s=
witch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Li=
kewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even w=
hen the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light =
goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning th=
e combination is causing some conflict).=20

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the =
two N and the two L) but none working.=20

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?
=20
It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light=
.
=20
Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it'=

He said "I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E)" (where I presumed the
E stood for Extra), implying a three-wire cable.

Perhaps he meant "E" was ground, but he probably shouldn't be
messing with the wiring if that's the case.

The part that raises the hair on the back of my neck is the approach of "I
don't know how to hook this up so I'll just try different combinations and
see what happens."

And what kind of lighting fixture has 4 holes in it for wires? The OP
said " new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for
N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L."

It sounds like you conect the power to two of them and the switch to two
of them -- I never heard of that, but it could work. However there
must have been longer instructions than what was given.

And of course how is the OP going to know which wire is Line, which wire
is Neutral, and which is Earth. Are the colors the same where these
words are used?

On Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:47:39 GMT, (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:

trader_4 writes:
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questi=
ons but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2=
for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And=
I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a=
simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that on=
e of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tri=
ed different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The s=
witch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Li=
kewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even w=
hen the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light =
goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning th=
e combination is causing some conflict).=20

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the =
two N and the two L) but none working.=20

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?
=20
It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light=
.
=20
Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it'=

He said "I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E)" (where I presumed the
E stood for Extra), implying a three-wire cable.

Perhaps he meant "E" was ground, but he probably shouldn't be
messing with the wiring if that's the case.

Most of the non US, english speaking world calls ground "Earth" that
is why I asked if he was in the US/Canada. If you are NZ/Oz the wiring
is similar to US but different color code and 230v L/N. In UK they use
ring circuits that are a whole nother breed of cat.

On Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:48:10 -0400, micky
wrote:

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:24:13 -0500, Jim Joyce
wrote:

On Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:47:39 GMT, (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:

trader_4 writes:
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:54:22 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
writes:
On Tue, 6 Oct 2020 17:45:03 +0000, Le Bui
wrote:

Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questi=
ons but none actually sort out my problem.

I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2=
for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And=
I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a=
simple wiring system.

Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that on=
e of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tri=
ed different combination:

1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The s=
witch does not work
2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.
3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Li=
kewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even w=
hen the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light =
goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning th=
e combination is causing some conflict).=20

I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the =
two N and the two L) but none working.=20

Can someone please help?

First are you in the US/Canada?

If so I will assume you are looking at a black Line, white Neutral and
bare wire Earth (ground)?
=20
It sounds to me like he has two 14-3 w/g at the octagon box for the light=
.
=20
Which means it's probably a three-way switch.

He has two 14-2 cables by my count. I don't see anything that indicates it'=

He said "I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E)" (where I presumed the
E stood for Extra), implying a three-wire cable.

Perhaps he meant "E" was ground, but he probably shouldn't be
messing with the wiring if that's the case.

The part that raises the hair on the back of my neck is the approach of "I
don't know how to hook this up so I'll just try different combinations and
see what happens."

And what kind of lighting fixture has 4 holes in it for wires? The OP
said " new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for
N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L."

It sounds like you conect the power to two of them and the switch to two
of them -- I never heard of that, but it could work. However there
must have been longer instructions than what was given.

And of course how is the OP going to know which wire is Line, which wire
is Neutral, and which is Earth. Are the colors the same where these
words are used?

This is New Zealand and presumably Australia, maybe Rod can verify
that. Red is Line, Black is Neutral and Green is Earth

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/New%20Zeala...el%20board.jpg

On 10/6/2020 1:56 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
Le Bui writes:
Hi, I hope this question does not bore you. I found some similar questions but none actually sort out my problem.



I bought a new IKEA light fitting and its electrical box has 4 holes (2 for N and 2 for L). The instruction said to put 1 N to N and 1 L to L. And I saw many videos online doing the same thing. God bless them for having a simple wiring system.



Mine is different. I have two cables (each has 3 N/L/E). I know that one of them is for the switch while the other is for the consumer unit. I tried different combination:



1) Putting only the consumer cable in -- the light is always on. The switch does not work

2) Putting only the switch cable -- the light is not on.

3) Putting both of them in, 2 N from the two cables go to 2 N holes. Likewise, 2 L from the two cables go to 2 L holes. -- The light is on even when the light switch is not on. When I turn the light switch on, the light goes off and the main switch (of the room) switches off as well (meaning the combination is causing some conflict).



I tried different combinations of the third (changing the order of the two N and the two L) but none working.



Can someone please help?

https://www.familyhandyman.com/proje...reeway-switch/

Since he said "consumer unit", he is most likely located in the UK.

Here are the cables and the IKEA box. I am in the UK
https://www.homeownershub.com/img/lrz
https://www.homeownershub.com/img/ls1

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...t-3054757-.htm

On 10/14/20 4:15 PM, Le Bui wrote:
Here are the cables and the IKEA box. I am in the UK
https://www.homeownershub.com/img/lrz
https://www.homeownershub.com/img/ls1


According to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electr...ring_col ours

Blue is N (Neutral)

Brown is L Line, single-phase

Notice the wires leaving the block appear to be Blue & Brown.

So both Blues to N, and both Browns to L, tie the grounds together

Hi, I did that (i.e. Both Blues to N and both Browns to L), the light is on but when I press the switch (either on or off), there is an electric shock which triggers the electricity of the house turn-off.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...t-3054757-.htm

On 10/16/20 3:01 PM, Le Bui wrote:
Hi, I did that (i.e. Both Blues to N and both Browns to L), the light is
on but when I press the switch (either on or off), there is an electric
shock which triggers the electricity of the house turn-off.


What switch ??
Did you not get installation instructions with this thing ?
What is IKEA model name /number of this light ?
What was attached to these wires before ?

Maybe it is time to get professional help on-site