Cable 'greening'

[andrew8902]

Hello. Does anyone have any advice on how to remove the green goo that I have found in light switches, ceiling roses today in a domestic installation. I have an upcoming EICR at this address and am aware that the conductive liquid is likely to bring down my IR readings. Thanks

 

[telectrix]

are you trying to remove from the cables or from surrounding decor? the goo is a reaction from some older cables.recommend replacin all cables if IR readings are below acceptable.

 

[andrew8902]

are you trying to remove from the cables or from surrounding decor? the goo is a reaction from some older cables.recommend replacin all cables if IR readings are below acceptable.

https://www.whyprysmian.co.uk/news-green-goo.html

 

[andrew8902]

I thought it was possible to clean the terminals of the switches and the copper end of the conductors? As the goo is conductive, it will likely cause poor IR readings.

 

[SJD]

The cables might well have a perfectly satisfactory insulation resistance, I would wait until they are tested before doing anything.

 

[andrew8902]

The cables might well have a perfectly satisfactory insulation resistance, I would wait until they are tested before doing anything.

Yes, but the liquid is conductive. Surely it should be removed? I visited a house recently where it was seeping into the wallpaper directly below a light switch

 

[freddo]

Green cable goo is not conductive. But it will gum up mechanisms of switches etc. Look to have the cables replaced if the goo levels are excessive. It is also harmful if ingested.

 

[telectrix]

who yer gonna call? Ghostbusters.

 

[andrew8902]

Green cable goo is not conductive. But it will gum up mechanisms of switches etc. Look to have the cables replaced if the goo levels are excessive. It is also harmful if ingested.

It is a combination of copper oxide and plasticiser, which is conductive

 

[telectrix]

but how conductive? that is the question. IR test and if readings are above 2Meg, then it complies, although i would expect readings far higher than that.

 

[telectrix]

try wiping it with a covid19 infected rag. should kill it off as it's over 70.

 

[freddo]

I've tested quite a few installations with green goo, some with puddles of the stuff in the fuseboxes, I've never seen insulation resistance issues with any of the installations. Here is the advice given in a book I have here:

 

[andrew8902]

I've tested quite a few installations with green goo, some with puddles of the stuff in the fuseboxes, I've never seen insulation resistance issues with any of the installations. Here is the advice given in a book I have here:
View attachment 61836

Great, thanks Freddo

 

[Marvo]

I've never seen a case where the actual green goo fails an IR test but I've seen cases where there's been tracking or minor arcing across the crap and dust that sticks to it. Also according to the info leaflet above that Freddo posted apparently it's poisonous.

You can manually clean it up with paper towels, rags and tissues but on the occasions I've tried this it takes a lot of time and it's going to reappear in short order. I'd probably push in the direction of rewiring at least the worst affected areas...especially if there's kids in the house.

 

[telectrix]

.especially if there's kids in the house.

spoilsport.