Help! don't understand wiring on recessed lights

Hello - I hope someone can explain what needs to be done to replace recessed ceiling lights with pendants.
I have 3 very old recessed lights in my kitchen ceiling which I would like to replace. When I removed the lights the wiring was not what I expected to find. Each light is wired with one grey cable connected by a covered terminal block, with one black and one red wire, no earth, directly into the lamp holder. As all 3 lights work from the one switch, I was expected them to be linked in some way, and also for there to be 'live' to the switch.

I was hoping to remove the recessed fittings, and fix a ceiling rose in its place, but cannot see how this would work, as there are only 2 wires in ceiling and 2 wires on the new light fitting. Not enough wires?
I do not have access to the floor above the ceiling, which if I did may throw some light on this. Sorry about that!

I am confused, and although I will attempt some things, I don't do anything if I'm not sure. If this is something that requires an electrician I am happy to do that, but would like to know what is involved before getting a quote.
Thank you in advance for any help, and apologies if this is a stupid question!

Photos will help, but it sounds as if you have several recessed fittings with one cable feeding each and a cable down to the switch.

This means that somewhere there must be a junction box, which you will need to access to:

make sure it is the right type (and change it if it is not)

to ensure earth continuity

To reconfigure wiring

You should have a connected earth wire in each cable and if you have a metal light switch, that should be directly connected to it.

If you have no earth wire at all in the lighting wiring, you should remove all Class I fittings and seriously consider rewiring.

Thank you so much for replying. I thought there must be something else - and its a junction box!

As I don't have access to the void from above, this may prove difficult to access without making a mess of the ceiling. I have no way to send a photo, but I did find the following instructions for recessed downlights, and the wiring and holder in fig1 is identical to mine, except that my bulbs are screw type fitting.
www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/pa_426515.pdf

My lighting wiring has earth wires, which is why this was surprising to me, but apparently correct. Too difficult to change and obviously not a simple swap.

I think I will leave well alone and live with these lights - it was only to 'tart' the kitchen up a bit!

You have saved me from the upheaval - not to mention the cost of new lights and an electrician.
Kind regards and thanks.

Redone the link:

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/pa_426515.pdf

Are you certain the wiring is 230v, I ask in case there is a hidden transformer somewhere.

You say there is no earth. Has an earth wire been cut out, or perhaps this is 'hi tech' cable that was used for e low voltage?

Hello - Thanks for your interest. I have no idea if the wiring is 230v - and there could well be a transformer hidden in the ceiling void somewhere. There is no earth wire visible (or taped off) at the wiring to the lamp holder I can access - just 2 wires - one black and one red - neatly encased in a slim black covered block.
I had the whole house rewired several years ago keeping existing light fittings, but adding a few power points, and since then have replaced light fittings in several rooms, and found what you would expect - including earth wires!
The wiring for the kitchen downlights is different, which drove me to seek the advice of this brilliant forum.
I have decided to keep it as it is - but if I re-visit sometime in the future I will leave it to an electrician to work out!

The type of lamps used will determine the voltage, so take a look at one of the kitchen bulbs and we should be able to tell if the wiring is regular 230v or not.

The bulbs I have always used are screw fitting 240v 60watt bulbs. I realise it will require too much work to change this arrangement now, but thank you for interest.