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

 

[andrew8902]

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.

Yes, there are kids in the house. It is a rental property

 

[telectrix]

it'snotlife threatening unless youm get the kids to lick it. that could give them an excuse to miss school for a few days though,

 

[SJD]

The goo can be quite a severe eye irritant.

Update: If working with infected cable, have to be very careful not to get on fingers then later touch eyes.

 

[telectrix]

The goo can be quite a severe eye irritant.

only if you look at it too long.

 

[Micktw68]

Never had a circuit fail an IR test with green goo, have had several OCPDs fail to operate with it in the mechanism.

 

[loz2754]

I had one last month. EICR on a private rental. Green goo in every switch, every socket, and every MCB and RCD. In this rare case I decided to go for C2 and recommended a rewire. It would require as an alternative, a new consumer unit, all new switches and sockets, all back boxes to be cleaned, only for the goo to make an evil comeback in a few months/years time.
If one does get commissioned to strip out the old wires, they are classed as hazardous waste apparently, and have to be dealt with accordingly.
The type of PVC plasticiser that causes the goo was used between 1965 to 1971, making the wiring at least 49 years old - probably due a rewire anyway.
There have been a few threads on this already BTW.

 

[Baddegg]

What book is that @freddo?....

 

[dodger421]

What book is that @freddo?....

NICEIC Snags and Solutions Part 2

(it’s in tiny writing at the bottom of the pages, I didn’t recognise it from sight ?)

 

[freddo]

Don't sat it too loud or they'll be after me for posting a scan online!