strange lighting circuits

[tvt]

I have just moved house and find the lighting circuit strange, no twin and earth
just single core with earth and three red wires going to most light switches. house built in the 1970\\\'s this normal? I have to sort out these wires. thanks

 

[kevindgas]

not unusual to see this in light circuits, as switches don't have an negative, most european systems are like this (all single core) you should find that the main circuit has a negative wire as well as L/E

 

[dingbat]

Lives looped at switches, neutrals looped at lights, earths run with lives. When you say you have to 'sort' these wires, what do you mean? Are you intending to rewire, or are you replacing switches and lights?

If the former, are you sufficiently aware of the wiring regulations to do it safely and of the building regulaions to do it legally?

If the latter, then all you need to do is make a note of the arrangement of cables before disconnecting anything.

 

[tvt]

Hey thanks for prompt replies, Yes i have to sort this one out the previous
owner was a bit of a do it yourselfer, not only has he got 13amp sockets comming off the lighting circuit, broken into the shower cable to make a spur for an additional socket, is also using un sleeved wire (ie stripped out t&e for extensions into the loft space. The swithces seem to be being used as a junction box as in a radial circuit, i think the best bet would be to rewire this part of the house to jan 1st regs. i don't think it would be worth salvaging, do you?

Alan