Ok, so I'm changing a metal ceiling rose in my flat with a similiar unit and have come across something weird/dodgy.
When I disconnected the cabling I found a 3 core cable (black, red and one unsheathed). Black was connected to live, unsheathed was connected to neutral and red connected to nothing. Does this mean that my light has been running through earth all this time? In theory, should it 'work', albeit unsafely, like this (ie the light will still light without tripping a circuit breaker)?
Can I easily test with a test meter if the earth wire IS actually earth?
I will probably just get an electrician out but wanted to make sure I grasp what's going on here before handing over cash.
When I disconnected the cabling I found a 3 core cable (black, red and one unsheathed). Black was connected to live, unsheathed was connected to neutral and red connected to nothing. Does this mean that my light has been running through earth all this time? In theory, should it 'work', albeit unsafely, like this (ie the light will still light without tripping a circuit breaker)?
Can I easily test with a test meter if the earth wire IS actually earth?
I will probably just get an electrician out but wanted to make sure I grasp what's going on here before handing over cash.