ceiling rose, poor wiring... Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[bigasa]

hi, just moved into an old house, and when attaching a new lampshade, there were sparks and the ring tripped.

flipped the ring back on and worked fine, although today has tripped again, when switched on.

have opened the ceiling rose to see old style wiring that im not familiar with.

there are 3 cables with red, black and a bare wire inside.

the 3 bare wires are twisted together in the ceiling

the 3 red wires are twisted together in the ceiling, then taped around them

the 3 black wires, 2 are connected to the brown of the light flex, and 1 to the blue....

all looks very dodgy...and about 100 years old... is it ok?

[ericmark]

What you describe seems to be the standard way to wire a ceiling rose except there should be green and yellow sleeving on the earth wires.

However the IET recommends domestic electrical systems should be tested on change of occupant or every 10 years which ever is shorter.

The cable used in 1912 was cotton covered with lead outer as earth so it will not be 100 years old. Up to around 1960 there were no earths on the lights so likely post 1960.

In around 2004 the colours changed so pre-2004.

Today lights are in the main RCD protected and the fuse went out in about 1985 most houses now have MCB's so since you say tripped I will guess 1985 to 2004 at last re-wire. But to work out if it needs work can't be done on a forum you need to call an electrician to inspect and test. It is unlikely to meet today's standards but the report will have three categories. Which mean basically "Very dangerous do not use", "Danger very likely get fixed as soon as possible" or "OK to use but if you want to extend in any way likely it will need all upgrading first" lastly there is pass all OK but unlikely you will get that.