Help. Wall light live but not live and plasterer coming in 24hrs

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by VeeD, Mar 15, 2023.

  1. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    998C772A-F6C8-40CB-80F7-FEABAFF1A445.jpeg B62A3EEC-31F5-4ADC-8AE3-7D791355DB0F.jpeg 5CA11956-ADF8-46B9-B7F1-FE5CE9E6CD92.jpeg 53EBFD3E-C324-47F9-B181-642E78908A9D.jpeg 315ADA77-C7B1-4C93-BBF4-7B0F1306838E.jpeg House had a fitted wardrobe with what looked like detached wall lights hidden away. Turns out they’re live ish. Disconnect/cut an all lights upstairs don’t work. In loft can follow two cables from wall light to the mess pictures. Disconnecting all stops upstairs lights working. Disconnecting live and upstairs lights are working but restart says they’re still live. I’m stumped and struggling to get someone over to sort it. Any advice? Friday morning plasterer will be here so under pressure.
     
  2. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    It's a mess mate.

    What are you trying to do get rid of the old wall light cables?
     
    VeeD likes this.
  3. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    We don’t want wall lights. Want wall plastered.
     
  4. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    There’s not switch associated with them.
     
  5. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    If your under pressure you need to isolate the power disconnect, pull them up into the loft and then temporarily reconnect.

    Then get a sparky in asap to sort out the mess.
     
    WH55 likes this.
  6. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    Cancel the plasterer and wait for a pro before you do some serious damage.

    That is a fire waiting to happen.
     
    VeeD and Ind spark like this.
  7. WH55

    WH55 Screwfix Select

    Ordinarily, I’d say just plaster over it and the spark will be able to work out which wires drop down for the wall lights, and then join them in the loft instead. However, you’ll almost certainly be quicker and cheaper doing what @Ind spark says (if you are able to), as the wiring in the loft will take some time to work out. Alternatively, as @Bazza-spark says, delay the plasterer. Either way, you need a spark to fix what’s in the loft.
     
    VeeD, Bazza-spark and Ind spark like this.
  8. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    I don't think you have the tools and the test gear to sort that out in a sufficiently safe way, and as it is its not safe at all.

    I'm with Bazza Spark, cancel plasterer, get electrician round.

    In the mean time don't touch it!!
     
    VeeD and Bazza-spark like this.
  9. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Think hes already touched it, but yes you're right.
     
    VeeD likes this.
  10. Hausfix

    Hausfix Screwfix Select

    Under the circumstances, I’d suggest you let the plasterer go ahead, but get him to leave the area directly around the exposed cables. Then get an electrician in as soon as you can to disconnect those wires and make it safe, then simply apply a bit of filler over the holes when the wires have been made safe and removed. It won’t be too difficult to blend in the filler to match the new plaster on such a small area.
     
    VeeD likes this.
  11. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    Thank you. This or pulling cables up into loft and re connecting seem like my only options.

    Thanks to everyone for commenting and advising.

    Takes years to learn how to be an electrican, I respect that. I’m not happy to be having a go. I had an electrician lined up but he let me down and failed to turn up two days in a row only to tell me he can’t do it now. I should have read his reviews online first.
     
    WH55 likes this.
  12. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    Sorted it myself via advice from an electrician that couldn’t see me today. There was a neutral going off from 2nd wall light. It needed to be connected to the connector sending neutral to the first wall light. All wall light cables removed and ready for plaster.

    Plasterer then calls to reschedule for next week!! Didn’t need to stress or rush but a lesson learned in lighting.
     
  13. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    I would still let the electrician tidy it up for you.
     
    VeeD likes this.
  14. VeeD

    VeeD New Member

    Good idea. Will do. Getting one in for spot and led strip lights over next few weeks. Thanks.
     
    Ind spark likes this.

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