Wiring a ceiling light fitting

ceilinglightwiring

I have 3 black wires – 3 green and 3 red – but when I attach to light fitting – light comes on with switch off and when I switch it on it blows any ideas ?

Best Answer

Because wires are not color-coded for installer benefit. The wires are red and black, because manufactured cable is red and black. Actually the wires have a variety of functions.

The wires from supply are "always-hot" (red) and "neutral" (black).

The wires to the switch are "always-hot" (black) and "switched-hot" (red). The switch will short out these two wires, that is its job, so connecting it to always-hot and neutral will always blow the fuse.

The wires to the lamp are "switched-hot" (red) and "neutral" (black).

The purposes don't match the colors. I solve that with colored tape; say mark the switched-hot wires brown and the always-hots red. I always mark wires the same at both ends. Once you color-code everything, then you match color to color. It's the only way I work. But you do you.