4 x three core cables for one light and switch?

[ban-all-sheds]

Any thoughts? Ideas?

You now have to choose between Plan A and Plan B.

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  • http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+lighting+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index
• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Check for circuit continuity, switches working etc.
• Connect everything up properly.

PLAN B:

• Get an electrician.

There are some irresponsible people here who will tell you that there is a Plan C, which is to start trying different things without really knowing what's going on, hoping to get it working by luck, or by blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without any idea as to why. Please don't listen to them - you must know what, and truly understand what, you are doing.

Electrical-installation-by-guesswork is a foolish idea.

There is no Plan C for anybody sensible.

 

[braw]

@ban-all-sheds – Cheers for your replies and thoughts. I agree. I think I needed to take this a bit more seriously... I want to get it right and perhaps taking the 'trial by error' approach to something quite dangerous was wrong. I'll do just as you said and learn more and can always ask an electrician if I get stuck; I just felt that simpler tasks like changing a light fitting is something I should be learning to do but the way this house was wired makes me doubt how safe the original set up was which is why I wanted to ask some questions.

Cheers for all your help, guys.

 

[sparkwright]

but the way this house was wired makes me doubt how safe the original set up was

I've seen nothing to suggest that the ceiling rose was wired up incorrectly or badly. It's quite normal and has been done well.

It's you.

You do not know what you are doing and unfortunately have made just about every 'schoolboy error' as they say possible.

You must realise wires are connected how they are for a reason, and by fitting a new light they will be effectively connected in the same way again.

The switch cable, though brown and blue, should be imagined as brown and brown (permanent live and switch live) - hence the brown sleeving which fell off.

I will gladly explain to you how the light works wired in this way, if you like.