Ask an expert

Hi, I've got a problem which is driving me up the wall. The floodlight (with a replaceable halogen lamp/bulb and PIR sensor) in my back garden had recently stopped working. I decided to replace it. Now, the flexi power cables which connects to the back of the floodlight comes out of a hole in the wall. The 2 power cables are taped together and each cable is wrapped in a rubber coating and each cable has 3 wires - green & yellow, brown, blue - which stick out at the end. All 6 wires were connected to the old floodlight which recently stopped working. I purchased a first replacement floodlight (with a replaceable halogen lamp and PIR sensor). The connection points in the back of the first replacement floodlight had only points/connections for 3 wires - 1 green & yellow, 1 brown, 1 blue - but not for all 6 in my power cables. Anyway I connected 3 (green & yellow, brown, and blue) of the 6 wires. When I switched it on for the first time during the day, the light went on. A few hours later, during the dark, the light would not go on at all. I opened the connection box at the back of the replacement floodlight, to check the wires and their connections. All ok. When I switched on the light, it flashed for a second but that was it. I switched it off and on several times and each time it flashed for just a second. I returned it. I then purchased a second replacement floodlight (with a replaceable halogen lamp and PIR sensor). Again, the connection points in the back of this replacement floodlight had only points/connections for 3 wires - 1 green & yellow, 1 brown, 1 blue - but not for all 6 in my power cables. Anyway I connected 3 (green & yellow, brown, and blue) of the 6 wires. It worked for the first night. On the second night, when I switched it off via the light switch on the wall, the sensor continued to detect movement and the light stayed on for some minutes before turning off, and even then the light went on more than once when it detected movement. How can this be if it is switched off via the light switch on the wall? I then disconnected the cable and I connected the other cable but the light would not come on at all. I returned it. I then purchased a third replacement floodlight (with an integrated LED lamp and no PIR sensor). Again, the connection points in the back of this replacement floodlight had only points/connections for 3 wires - 1 green & yellow, 1 brown, 1 blue - but not for all 6 in my power cables. Anyway I connected 3 (green & yellow, brown, and blue) of the 6 wires. The light came on but it stayed on even when switched off via the light switch on the wall. I then disconnected the cable and I connected the other cable but the light would not come on at all. I am now about to return this also! I also noted that one switch on our mains box was sticking down and the electricity and lights in the outhouse would not go on. When I shifted this switch back upwards, the electricity and lights in the outhouse returned. I wander if my attempts to replace the floodlight and the temporary loss of electricity and lights in the outhouse are related. This is driving me crazy. Please can someone advise me as to what I might be doing wrong. Thanks.

What qualifications does an electrician have to have to do work in a home?

Is it safe to use a red butt connector on a lighting circuit?

How do I find out which wire is which behind double light switch when all wires are brown?

Can my domestic lights be set to come on as i enter room with a motion sensor and turn off after predetermined time ?

Just bought a new chrome spotlight which has the live and neutral wires connected to a plastic block. The earth wire is connected to the metal fixing plate and not to the centre slot in the block. I have all three existing wires, Live, Neutral and Earth coming out of the wall Do I leave the new earth wire connected to the fixing plate or move it to the centre slot of the plastic block? Do I still fix the existing old earth wire to the plastic block if I leave the new earth attached to the fixing plate? Thanks for your help.

I have a issue on my downstairs sockets. It's also runs my boiler upstairs strange.. Today the boiler stopped, no power to neutral. Live and earth are OK. I'm stuck. Any help possible please?

Competitive price and a possible date job could start if price is agreed

Recentley had a home renovation, and had data points installed, but they are not working (not connecting to the internet). I've been told where they are wired to centrally needs to be connected to a router/internet connection but my internet provider will.not help me... google search currently not helping either! Any help.most appreciated!

I had a text from you at 11 30 last night and am having trouble replying, how can i do this. I am brian hart

My new house’s kitchen lights have a label of JC94199. I think I’ve removed it properly, there is a big lighting unit with a green plastic but in top, a thickish grey wire coming out of that with a blue “click flow” CT101-M at the end. Any idea if a) I’ve removed too much and b) where to get a replacement?

We had some work done on a building manage in Manchester and wanted to know is there a guy that worked there called Tom before I write how much I appreciated the work he do want to know I ha e the right company before I start writing reviews on him

My drums use 110/240v plug to adapter which sends 1amp current to 9v dc in port. Not sure how many watts needed to froma generator to run my drums outside away from neighbours.

I have a faulty BT master socket. Currently I have the router wired in to the test socket. The socket is in the corner of the bedroom in the apartment. I would like the socket replaced and also move internally to the main room so the TV, playstation etc and be wired directly, not use wifi. I'm fine for during the move of the socket the cable internally is fixed to the top of skirting boards/round door frames. I only want this done by a certified BT electrician that will give a guarantee on the work.

I have just bought a house that comes with an electric fireplace. Do I need to have it tested by an electrician or is it safe to just turn it on and see if it works?