wiring question......

[MuthaHubbard]

ages ago i wanted to change the light fitting in my bedroom....ex did me a favour and came to replace with new one BUT - when he took old one off he couldn't remember where the wires were originally.

i now have 2 black wires, 2 red wires and one green hanging from the ceiling. when he tries to reconnect the ceiling rose the light is on all the time. someone at work suggest twisting the two black ones together and the two red together (so there are just 3 wires, black/red/green). am not sure about this and when i try and google it's too confusing for me.

any help appreciated! (explained in very simple, laymans terms)

Hi MarthaHubbard,

It seems that the wiring to your light switch may be coloured red and black instead of twin red. If this is the case the connections will be the two reds together and the two blacks separately to the light fitting. The green is the earth wire.
Assuming this resolves the problem I suggest your ex should ascertain which of the two blacks is the switch wire (live when switched on)and then mark the switch wire with red insulation tape to avoid future misunderstandings.