my lights are ceiling roses with pendants but most new nice lights are flush mounted and there is nowhere for the switch wire. I put the live switch wire in the live terminal but light is permanently on. I know technically they should be fitted via a junction box in ceiling void but I cannot access this. Is there any other way round this or does this mean I cannot have flush lights. Also, my outside light is permanently on for the same reason but there is no void in the wall-just the wires sticking out!!

Jan, November 2009

A lighting circuit needs to supply Live to the Lamp via a Switch to be able to turn it on and off.

Permanent Live is routed to the switch and the returning wire, known as Switched Live, connects to the lamp to give On/Off control.

You appear to have bypassed the switch and therefore will have no On/Off control.

Your best approach may be to call in a specialist. If you remove the ceiling roses to fit your flush lights you will lose the advantage of the four connector blocks in each rose - Live - Neutral - Switched Live - Earth. An electrician will be able to tuck junction boxes up in the ceiling void for you.

Good luck...

Peccavi, November 2009