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I'll wait for the sparky but it bothers me why I've failed.
The diagram I was working from is similar to the one attached but with three separate cables/lines.
I couldn't work out which one was the switch line.
So I tried each live cable in the switch line bit and none worked without tripping.Straight after I removed the old ceiling rose (and stupidly didn't take a note of what went where) I checked each live with one of those main tester screwdrivers.
One arced on the tip of it, melted the tip of the driver and tripped the RCD.
The light does still come on though.
Of course being an old house there's not enough length of wire to work with so I can't be sure everything is properly connected.I guess you need a lot of patience to be a sparky...
1 Attachment
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nankatsu
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This one looks a bit simpler
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Seems like you are a bit out of your depth.
You shouldn't be trying stuff with the circuits live, mains tester screwdrivers are the first thing they will tell you to throw away on a electrical course.
As you've lost track of what you have in the ceiling you need to test the circuits with the power off so you need a proper rated voltage tester that has a continuity tester integrated. There are other ways like a battery and light bulb but you need a proper voltage tester anyway if you plan on lasting in your new hobby.
Switch of the power to the circuits you are working on. Test that the power is off. Take the switch off the wall and connect the 2 wires together. Now find out which of the two wires in the ceiling have continuity when these are connected. Once you have established which wire is the switch line you should be good to go since the other 2 are loop in and loop out.
For you own safety please stop fiddling about with live circuits equipped only with a voltage testing screwdriver. Electricians are not especially patient but the living ones have a respect for electricity and only the experienced ones are working on live circuits.
Google the mains testers to see why you don't want to use your finger to provide the path to earth for 240v.
I use one of these Martindale, they are not the greatest but they're quite cheap considering an alternative possibility is death by electrocution.
stevo_com
Airhead
Here's some terms
3 plate, loop in, loop out, switch line.
you can find diagrams that explain the wiring. It can be a lightbulb moment when you get it!