Lighting circuit disaster

[hu18]

I was about to add new outside lights when I came across this. It seems to be an old junction box of sorts as you see all the cables for lights and switches for the upstairs go into the one box. I have labelled the cables now and hope somehow to sort this out.
I have two questions really one is out of interest: was this ever a legit way to wire lighting?
Secondly is the best solution to have a series of junction boxes, one for each light? I am somewhat limited by the fact that the loft is floored and I don't want to do a lot of new cable runs if I can help it.
Here is a link to a pic ... if only for your amusement

 

[mo2]

WOW, I'm not a spark so I don't know how to fix that, but how many fuses/breakers do you have in your consumer unit? Can you take a picture of that too?

 

[bernardgreen]

It is good that you have labelled all the cable before disconnecting or moving anything.

Putting all the connections in one place is not a bad idea but the way it has been done here is pretty aweful

You have space to put a 4 way junction box for each light in that space and that would be my way to improve the situation.

The cable in the bottom right has "ocket" written on the label. Is that a power socket and does that cable go into that junction box ?

 

[hu18]

Thanks for the reply. The cable marked "ocket" seems to go to a now defunct shaver socket so it will go completely.

 

[mo2]

Where does the fatter cable go?

 

[hu18]

I'm pretty sure it goes on to lights further towards the front of the house

 

[RF Lighting]

I'd leave it how it is.

It certainly isn't the neatest of installs, but from the looks of things it isn't dangerous.

I presume that you have removed the lid off that box?

I've seen loads of houses wired like this, to a central joint box. Perfectly acceptable providing the joint is accesible (in a loft is fine)

 

[securespark]

Could use some gommets, though.

 

[hu18]

Thanks for your comments.

I would leave it as it is but I need do something to allow for expansion and I want to be able to make sense of it if things ever go wrong so i'm going to go with a series of junction boxes.

 

[securespark]

The only difference will be that you have the same connections, but in several jb's, rather than all in one place.

One box neater, surely?

 

[ColJack]

get a larger adaptable box from your local electrical wholesaler, and some din rail terminals and some din rail.
it will make an easier job of it and can then allow for expansion..

 

[plugwash]

One box neater, surely?

i'd possiblly agree if it was a neatly wired box with fixed terminals and a wiring diagram on the top.

but that box is a rats nest that is going to be damn awkward to add stuff too or keep track of stuff inside.

a row of junction boxes with each one clearly labeled as to which light it serves would certainly be better than a rats nest box and probablly easier than fitting out a bigger adaptable with neat terminals.

 

[breezer]

but you are suggesting the op spends money.............

to make it look nicer

apart from missing grommets electricaly its looks fine.

if the op wants to spend money why not rewire it

 

[hu18]

What are Din Rails - if you don't mind me asking?

 

[ColJack]

they are mounting rails for things like breakers, terminals. timers, contactors etc..

you tend to get it on some CU's but some have plastic moulded bases that do the same thing..

there are at least 2 types i know of, "top hat" and "G rail"

top hat.

G rail with terminals..

you can also get shorting links for linking terminals together makingit easier to connect all those live feeds to switches together.. no more 3 wires in one block..