Ceiling Pendent Wiring

[stevec000]

hi, been changing all my ceiling pendants in the house with no probs until now, can to my living room has 2 pendants first one straight forward live and neutral second has 3 main cables 2 of which are 3 core but last is 4 core (yellow extra) the yellow was connected to the live in old pendent and 2 of the other lives connected with a block and just pushed up into ceiling.
any ideas

[Old_Geezer]

4 core is usually related to switching where you have more than 1 wall switch controlling the light. Not sure I feel like trying to work out what you are looking at. Best check where each core goes and draw the circuit out on a sheet of paper, to realise what they were doing, before changing anything.

[The Builder]

Not that it's important, Steve, but the 3 core is usually referred to as "twin & earth", and the 4 core is "3 core & earth"

Sounds like standard two-way switching, just as OG has said. Everyone has their own way of wiring 2-way. Remember that the red,yellow, and blue are all live switch wires............ no neutral.

With the 3-core & earth, it's normal to connect 2 of the wires and push them up into the ceiling void (preferably in an enclosure.) The remaining "pair" ......... one is usually a live feed, and the other is the switched live that goes to the lamp connection, exactly the same a regular 1-way circuit.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Are the two fittings controlled independently by a two gang switch?