Twisted earth wires in light fitting

[QuestionQuigley]

I'm looking to replace an old-style ceiling rose with a modern light fitting. I've found that the three earth wires in the rose have been twisted and sheathed together - it's been done such that it is impossible to remove the rose without untwisting the wires. It might not be clear from the photo, but one earth wire comes down through a different hole to the other two, effectively binding the rose to the ceiling.

So, unless anyone can suggest a trick to get the rose off with the earth wires as they are, I assume I need to untwist them. Do I just go at this with pliers? I've read that twisting and untwisting wires can weaken them, and they can sometimes snap.

What would you do?

RoseCPC

• QuestionQuigley
• 10 May 2021

 

[sparkwright]

Every job is different.

If you don't want the old rose, then break it off with pliers.

You could leave the earths twisted as they are, maybe just cut the very end off to neaten it before fitting to the new earth terminal.

You COULD untwist them, and sleeve them individually - and hope they don't snap as you untwist them. (They don't usually - although yours look excessively twisted.)