Lighting problem

[Maxx246]

I'm having a problem with light in the living room.
There is power going to the switch and from the switch to the junction box in the loft, the cable/wire from the light fitting to the junction is good. But when I connect the phase cable it isolates the one from the dimmer switch. There are 4 polls/ports in the box I test the cables by doing a continuity test then, changing polls and I have power but can't switch off the light , what is my problem ?

[davey-s01]

you lost me at "im having a problem" try to explain it a bit clearer?

[spinlondon]

There are two ways to wire a light and switch.
One is to take the power, neutral and earth, to the light, then the power from the light goes to the switch and then from the switch back to the lamp.
You would normally be able to identify such a method, by looking at how many wires are at the switch, there should be only two (plus an earth wire connected to the metal back box if there is one).
The other method, is to run everything first to the switch, then everything from the switch to the light.
Such a method would have four wires, two live and two neutarals (plus two earths), the neutrals and the earths would be joined to gether using connector blocks, and the lives would be connected to the switch.
It most likely that you have the first method, so the wire that is live, is fed from the junction box, and the other wire which would only become live when the switch is switched goes to the light fitting.

[ian2]

seems you have the switch wires mixed, or if its two way then you may have got confsed with strappers. try drawing it out on paper

[Slowspark]

Hi Maxx246
I would be good if you could tell us how many cables and coloured cores you have at the light, the switch and the junction box. I am wondering- was the light working before you started and if so, what have you done to stop it working. It should be simple to resolve your problem if the light was working and switching ok before. You may need to call an electrician to be on the safe side.