Lighting circuit fault?

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Thanks for the diagram. I can see why it's not safe. It pays to be careful to switch off the breaker even if one is changing bulbs.
That's certainly always going to be the safest way - although with that bizarre wiring shown in endecotp's diagram it theoretically might even be necessary to turn off two breakers! Thankfully, the chances of you ever encountering such weird wiring must be close to zero.

Kind Regards, John
 
I am trying to think of a reason for wiring it like that on purpose or where it would even be thought to be necessary.
 
You only need one core going from the switch downstairs to the upstairs light! Plus earth. Assuming you're borrowing both lives from both circuits!
 
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I am trying to think of a reason for wiring it like that on purpose or where it would even be thought to be necessary.
As is probably apparent from what I wrote/asked, I've also been through that thinking process and have failed to come up with even a half-sensible answer.

Kind Regards, John
 
Wiring in 3rd world countries can involve using the least amount of wiring possible, including things like running 1 line conductor to equipment, the return being a nearby point on a metal framed building for example. I'm sure there are other creative circuit designs as well.
 
If memory serves me right one of the house with this two circut was wired in singles with Live and Neutral looped around the light switches with drops from some of the switches to round pin sockets below the switch. Two singles ( Neutral and Switched Live ) went up to the lamp.

These would have been installed at the end of World War II and may have had some influence (*) from American electrical standards where sockets on lighting circuits were common place.

(*) A lot of well trained American military engineers found themselves redundant when the war ended. A few chose to remain in the UK or Europe rather than return to the USA where their future employment prospects were bleak . With the massive rebuilding work needed in the UK and Europe anyone with electrical skills was welcome in building firms. The remit was generally to get something that worked installed as fast as possible and at minimum cost.
 
Yes - but when would that be the only option?
Never, but you were trying to think of a reason. Given how rare it is, clearly there are few compelling reasons, but if you only have one working core in the switch cable it would work.
 
If memory serves me right one of the house with this two circut was wired in singles with Live and Neutral looped around the light switches with drops from some of the switches to round pin sockets below the switch. Two singles ( Neutral and Switched Live ) went up to the lamp.

Yes, i remember my grandparents 'prefab' had exactly that arrangement, resulting in a ''Christmas tree" of adaptors feeding the entire room !

DS
 

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