Living room light

[haribo862003]

Hi
I was changing a bulb in my light fitting and it was moving around, so have taken the light down to tighten the bolt and noticed that a cable has been cut back and not attached to anything.
Cables coming through the ceiling are 4 earth's, 3 reds, 3 black, 1 black switched live. There is a red wire that is cut back and not connected to anything, I doubt it should be like that but what should it be connected to?

 

[ericmark]

It looks as if at some time, either an earth brought from or to something else, I would guess pre-1966 wiring, and someone has earthed the lights.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I cannot see a cut off red, in the photo, but if it worked like that, obviously it was intentional and a spare. Those connections, really ought to be contained in a suitable box.

[EDIT] I see it now. It looks, as above, as if someone has decided to install the red, plus earth, simply to ensure there is an earth for a metal light fitting.

 

[haribo862003]

You can just about see the red cable coming through.
The cables from the light are not attached.
I have sent a message to my electrician just waiting for him to get back to me.