I am replacing a ceiling light and want to know which lead is supplying the power. (three cables into rose) I bought a voltstick but that lights up when I go near anything. I also have a rapitest multimeter (MAS830L) which I have only used to check for continuity (with the beep). Can I test for live with this multimeter, and how would I do that i.e. what settings Thanks in advance
Put it on ac volt scale V not sure of the range could be 300Vac or 500V. Connect one lead to earth the other touch onto each red / brown in turn one should read mains voltage 240V ish To identify the switch connect across red / black or brown / blue on each cable operate switch until you get a low reading then high reading or vice versa. Once you eliminate these the last cable is more likely the loop to the next light fitting.
Thanks for that The meter has two V settings First V (line with 3 dots underneath) range from 200m-2-20-200 600 Second V with ~ after it 600 and 200 range I'm guessing the second ?
Correct~ is a sine wave ie AC the straight lines are DC Select the 600V range if you want to keep your meter
Sorry last question Black lead and red lead 10ADC - COM - V(Ohm)mA Where do I put them when esting for live
I am replacing a ceiling light and want to know which lead is supplying the power. (three cables into rose) I bought a voltstick but that lights up when I go o near anything. I also have a rapitest multimeter (MAS830L) which I have only used to check for continuity (with the beep). Can I test for live with this multimeter, and how would I do that i.e. what settings when u say three cables do you mean Live Neutral and Earth ?
well being a cheap multimeter it came with a badly printed booklet about the size of a stamp that I could not understand. And I can't find it.
Why do you want to know which is live ? I mean, as opposed to which is the switch-live. Mr HandyAndy - Really
Well I do want to find out which is the switch live, which is the feed and which goes to the next rose. I did not want to test any cable without knowing what to do with my meter. Is is not a good idea to know which is live?
turn the juice off and get a connector block and one by one join the Red and corrisponding earth wire together. Now remove light switch and put your meter onto ohms and connect across the earth and red wire the same. One one of the joined wires at the ceiling rose you should get a reading which will be your switch wire.
A simple continuity test between each set of red/black wires will find the switch wire. Electric off at mains, turn the switch on, red and black switch wires will buzz. Double check by switching switch off, then the same two will not buzz. The other reds/blacks will all be live as they are connected together respectively. Mr HandyAndy - Really
how about resistance between the other live and neutral because of bulbs etc on the rest of the circuit
None of those are connected by the switch wire(we are presuming the wires are disconnected at the moment, aren't we ?) Mr HandyAndy - Really
None of those are connected by the switch wire(we are presuming the wires are disconnected at the moment, aren't we ?) Mr HandyAndy - Really all 3 wires are disconnected at the moment