Needs rewiring? Asbestos?

jamade123 said:

Hello, thinking of buying a 1968 home. It has what looks like an old fuse box and a small electrical panel. Nephew (electrician) saw the pic and thought asbestos and needs all new wiring. It is a 1600 sq ft house. Any thoughts? We live out if state and can’t view it.

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@jamade what you have is an old Edison based panel which is probably older than us. If I was you I would upgrade the service and take out the old panel. As far as asbestos you’re friend is seeing the cloth insulation and thinking it’s asbestos. Do I think you need a 100% rewire no I see some fairly new wiring. is your nephew a licensed electrician so he can pull permits and do the work, if not when you get to town you need to find a licensed electrician
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Megawatt said:

@jamade what you have is an old Edison based panel which is probably older than us. If I was you I would upgrade the service and take out the old panel. As far as asbestos you’re friend is seeing the cloth insulation and thinking it’s asbestos. Do I think you need a 100% rewire no I see some fairly new wiring. is your nephew a licensed electrician so he can pull permits and do the work, if not when you get to town you need to find a licensed electrician

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I got to add that this panel is ugly and scary looking. Good luck and welcome to our forum. Keep in touch

I think it could do with an upgrade, however it looks from the pictures to be serviceable.

the only thing that MIGHT be asbestos is the blue backing in the panel shown in picture 1
however if it is not disturbed it could still give many years service.
if you are concerned about the possibility of asbestos, then it would be wise to have a survey done that specifically looks for it.

it could be found in many places, fuse holders, heating flues, gutters, pipework, cladding, etc.

the list is endless, back in its day it was seen as a wonder material and used for all sorts of things.
it is strong, water resistant, heat resistant, cheep. why wouldn't you use it?
but back then they didn't know the dangers of cancer linked to it.

I expect that for a couple of hundred $ you could get a survey done, if it finds a bit here and there then I expect the cost could be offset against the agreed purchase price?