Why does this lighting point have so many wires?

[epepwashere]

Hello all. I was trying to change a hanging light fixture, thought it would be a simple five-minute job, but then I was presented with this mess:



I suppose I could have just wired the new light fixture to the top left and bottom left of the connection box and call it a day, but I would like to understand just what the heck is going on? Why are there so many wires on the right hand side?? There are only two light points in the room and they are connected to a 2 gang switch. The second light point only has three wires (I assume live, neutral and earth?).




Also, am I wrong to think the person who did this did a terrible job?

 

[James]

Ther person who did that was not good at electrical work

 

[mainline]

Hello all. I was trying to change a hanging light fixture, thought it would be a simple five-minute job, but then I was presented with this mess:

View attachment 121783

I suppose I could have just wired the new light fixture to the top left and bottom left of the connection box and call it a day, but I would like to understand just what the heck is going on? Why are there so many wires on the right hand side?? There are only two light points in the room and they are connected to a 2 gang switch. The second light point only has three wires (I assume live, neutral and earth?).

View attachment 121784
View attachment 121785

Also, am I wrong to think the person who did this did a terrible job?

It will probably be a standard loop in, loop out and a switch cable.

 

[DefyG]

Looks like rubber cabling?

 

[littlespark]

It will probably be a standard loop in, loop out and a switch cable.

That’s what I thought at first, realised I was wrong and deleted my post.
There’s not enough connections for a live, switched live, earth and neutral.

I think it’s just an untidy mess…


However, I can’t explain why all cores are red, and sleeved black. There’s something not right there. Is it sleeving, or sheathed singles?
Also too many cables for this light and just one other.. I wonder if there’s been a third light position not used now…. And seems only one neutral here?

 

[James]

That’s what I thought at first, realised I was wrong and deleted my post.
There’s not enough connections for a live, switched live, earth and neutral.

I think it’s just an untidy mess…


However, I can’t explain why all cores are red, and sleeved black. There’s something not right there. Is it sleeving, or sheathed singles?
Also too many cables for this light and just one other.. I wonder if there’s been a third light position not used now…. And seems only one neutral here?

I thought that there were some sheathed singles in there.

 

[westward10]

It is 6181Y with a separate 2.5/equivalent green cpc. Not uncommon in the early 70s just after circuits were installed without cpcs.

 

[epepwashere]

Quick update: obviously this light point is not safe the way it is and I'm not qualified/don't know enough to fix this myself, so I'm having an electrician coming in next Thursday. Will update again when it's done. Thanks everybody for your input.

 

[DefyG]

Looks like a strand from each of the live conductors has been cut out which is never a good idea.
If the same person (refrain from calling them an electrician) did the whole install it may be worth getting your electrician to check other lighting points as similar practices may have been used on them too!