lighting wiring & switches

[jfg]

I have what i suspect is original lighting wiring in my house which was built in 1960's.

The wiring is 3 core, red black& earth. there is also a seperate thick red wire.

i have a double switch in the front hall which operates the hall light and the outside light.

there is only one set of wires at the switch.

the outside light is wired directly from the rose in the hall.

what kind of switch is it? i need to buy a new one.

how does the outside light work if it's directly connected to the ceiling rose?

 

[ETAF]

pictures would help

 

[rsgaz]

how does the outside light work if it's directly connected to the ceiling rose?

red black& earth. ... seperate red wire

Ideally, the black wire should have a red sleeve, just think of it as being red for now...

The live comes down one of the red wires from the rose and feeds both switches(you'll find a little loop wire joining them).
Then, the live either goes back up another red wire for the hall, or the other red wire for the outside light, or both, of course.
The outside light picks up the neutral it needs from the ceiling rose and goes to the light with the switched live.

 

[SUNRAY]

Ideally, the black wire should have a red sleeve, just think of it as being red for now...

The live comes down one of the red wires from the rose and feeds both switches(you'll find a little loop wire joining them).
Then, the live either goes back up another red wire for the hall, or the other red wire for the outside light, or both, of course.
The outside light picks up the neutral it needs from the ceiling rose and goes to the light with the switched live.

I'd have waited for more info from OP before guessing.

 

[jfg]

Ideally, the black wire should have a red sleeve, just think of it as being red for now...

The live comes down one of the red wires from the rose and feeds both switches(you'll find a little loop wire joining them).
Then, the live either goes back up another red wire for the hall, or the other red wire for the outside light, or both, of course.
The outside light picks up the neutral it needs from the ceiling rose and goes to the light with the switched live.

The loop red is connected to C (common) on the switch. this the red in the 3 wire. the single red is then seperate in unmarked connection. same with the black.

So my next question is, is this a 2 way switch?

 

[RandomGrinch]

Again, post a pic!
We love pics!