Should the wires coming out of a premade loom and fuse box be live, unless otherwise routed through a switch?

The wire for the rad fan was through a prewired relay, fuse and switch (same switch as for the fuel pump and ignition), and it worked as I thought it would. Surprised me that one!

The wires for the gauges, signals and brake lights seem to indicate no power when tested using a multimeter (using the instructions from CKC magazine).

Also, does anyone know what all the wires are from a Lucas indicator switch? There are several green and yellow striped ones, and one black one.

You will have switched live and permanent live.

Perm= Hazard, Horn, Fan, side lights ect.

Switched= Main lights, Indicators ect

OK: when things were checked with the multimeter prior to connecting wires, the fuses were all right. When they were connected, no power. I was blowing the fuses because I accidentally touched the wires to the chassis, shorting the circuit. What a dummy. New fuses, and everything works.