ADVICE PLEASE - SURFACE CONDUIT SYSTEM FOR REWIRE 3 BED SEMI FRC

[marconi]

I am heading off next week to visit my parents (84 and 83). They live in a nicely decorated and carpeted 3 bed semi with original wiring from 1965.

I noticed last time I visited they have the dreaded green goo in the 7/029 wiring. The 1/044 lighting does not have it. They only have one or two single un-switched sockets in each room apart from kitchen and side extension which are all new and on separate circuits to the original sockets.

The advice I am seeking is on a good, neat, easy to install surface conduit system to contain wiring for new radials/rings upstairs and downstairs in the 3 bedrooms, hall, landing, lounge and dining room. I can then present it to my father and explain the benefits and ease of installation. Neither would cope with floorboards being lifted and walls chased. He is a chemist and read what it says about green goo so I don't need to convince him it's time to re-wire and at the same time to add more handy sockets higher up.

 

[7029 dave]

 

[marconi]

Given the age of your parents it may be worth thinking about just living with it if test results are satisfactory. In my experience it rarely causes any real problems. New accessories if contaminated, and a clean up might be enough to nullify the problem for the time being. A surface rewire will be a short term solution in reality and will always look cheap however it's done.

So if after some FRC testing including IR the readings are satisfactory, one could keep the cabling (for my parents remaining lifetime) and renew the accessories. Could you tell me a little more about how this might be done please? Do you have to cut back the cable, splice on new tails and then connect these into the new accessories? Is there a best way of doing it? Afterwards, would one have to do regular FRC testing to check for any deterioration?

 

[marconi]

How are the cables installed at the moment? I know most installs from around that era in my area would have been in oval or round steel conduit

A loop around the first floor and then drops down from first floor sockets to the sockets immediately below on the ground floor. Drops in metal conduit. First floor threaded under the floor boards. Copper 7/029.

 

[Pete999]

So if after some FRC testing including IR the readings are satisfactory, one could keep the cabling (for my parents remaining lifetime) and renew the accessories. Could you tell me a little more about how this might be done please? Do you have to cut back the cable, splice on new tails and then connect these into the new accessories? Is there a best way of doing it? Afterwards, would one have to do regular FRC testing to check for any deterioration?

As 7029Dave said it could be after testing that the cables are OK.
Changing accessories shouldn't be that arduous, you could change the single sockets for doubles, surface or flush, your choice on that issue.
You might like to think about a CU change with RCBOs, your elderly Parents have lived with these issues for a while, whilst I'm not discounting the safety issue, it would be a bit of an upheaval to put them through the trauma of a rewire at their age, not saying it shouldn't be considered, but there are things you can do to improve their twilight years, good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Midwest]

So if after some FRC testing including IR the readings are satisfactory, one could keep the cabling (for my parents remaining lifetime) and renew the accessories. Could you tell me a little more about how this might be done please? Do you have to cut back the cable, splice on new tails and then connect these into the new accessories? Is there a best way of doing it? Afterwards, would one have to do regular FRC testing to check for any deterioration?

From what I've seen and read, once it starts, there's no way of stopping it from coming back, even after cleaning.

However, I do agree with the others, the stress of a rewire could be too much for some elderly people. My departed father-in-law got stressed out, when they got a new washing machine. If you put yourself in their shoes, what would they gain from a rewire?

 

[telectrix]

agree with last couple of posts. clean up , fit new sockets etc. the green goo may be unsightly, but it will take years for the cables to deteriorate enough to need replacing.

 

[dksanders]

Given the age of your parents it may be worth thinking about just living with it if test results are satisfactory. In my experience it rarely causes any real problems. New accessories if contaminated, and a clean up might be enough to nullify the problem for the time being. A surface rewire will be a short term solution in reality and will always look cheap however it's done.

As the green goo makes the insulation brittle and fall off, exposing live conductors which can then cause fires or electric shocks; 'living' with it may be short lived.

 

[dksanders]

agree with last couple of posts. clean up , fit new sockets etc. the green goo may be unsightly, but it will take years for the cables to deteriorate enough to need replacing.

but haven't the cables been there years already? How can you tell what the condition of the insulation is in the cables you haven't seen yet? This would be a C2 on an EICR. The way I work is if I find anything that has the potential to cause injury or fire, then it's got to be put right,; there's no brushing it under the carpet and hope it works out OK.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

As the green goo makes the insulation brittle and fall off, exposing live conductors which can then cause fires or electric shocks; 'living' with it may be short lived.

It may do in exceptional circumstances, but I've seen installations where it's running with the stuff and yet cable appear and test fine, I have never once seen PVC insulation falling off in association with green goo. I think your apocalyptic prediction of fire and brimstone if it's not tackled immediately is a tad far fetched.

 

[KEV 1 N]

I came across this stuff on some lighting circuit cables, wasnt expecting IR readings to be high, but to my surprise they were >299 Mohms.

 

[7029 dave]

As the green goo makes the insulation brittle and fall off, exposing live conductors which can then cause fires or electric shocks; 'living' with it may be short lived.

RUBBISH, it has no detriment to the cable what so ever, we are talking about PVC, the life span is infinity. providing its not subject to over heating. etc

 

[Dozer 73]

You can buy single to double even quadruple socket converters , I have used them years ago on council upgrade works they are really good , as long as you buy a half decent make , google it , I’ve added a link to one
Robus Socket Duplicator - https://www.electrical2go.co.uk/led-group-socket-duplicator.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-ILEkpvc1wIVhpPtCh1vrQrXEAQYCCABEgJXOPD_BwE

 

[marconi]

Thank you to all who have contributed their advice, recommendations, experience and opinions - all very helpful.

 

[baldelectrician]

I would suggest keeping the wiring as is now (if it tests OK) and doing a consumer unit upgrade / bonding. Maybe even an RCBO board to make it easier for your dad (as he won't be paying labour anyway )
Just replace the accessories for new ones (I prefer Hager) and leave alone (assuming it is safe)
No matter what you do surface it will look worse than what they have now

 

[dksanders]

It may do in exceptional circumstances, but I've seen installations where it's running with the stuff and yet cable appear and test fine, I have never once seen PVC insulation falling off in association with green goo. I think your apocalyptic prediction of fire and brimstone if it's not tackled immediately is a tad far fetched.

Almost every time I've come across this, at least some of the inner insulation has gone brittle. That tells me that, being as I don't have X-Ray vision, I have to assume that more insulation may be brittle elsewhere in the cable; it's just not worth the risk.