why do i have 4 cables coming out of my ceiling rose?

Power for lighting circuits usually daisy-chains from one ceiling rose to another - if you break the chain (Live and / or Neutral) all downstream lights cease working.

Your disconnected cable may hold the clue.

The last rose in the chain will have only two cables. One coming in from the previous rose and one off to and back from the switch.

Lighting circuits are often organised one for downstairs and one for upstairs - each with its own fuse or breaker.

Peccavi
April 2010

thank you, but can you explain why i cant seem to get power to the rest of the downstairs?

Do i need to do anything with the spare cable?

Thanks

Michael
April 2010

Usually there's 3 sets of cable - In (from previous rose) Out (to next rose) and - Off to the switch and back.

If there's an extra cable it very probably runs to another ceiling rose - one that may have been added after the property was originally wired.

Peccavi
April 2010