Clips melted in domestic 60’s 3 bed

[Bradneil]

Evening all, found a strange one today, pulled a few ceilings down in a property and found that the clips had melted! Not just on one circuit, it’s on 2 Different lighting circuits, a radial and the gf ring! Going to do an ir tomorrow morning just ran out of time today. Any thoughts or seen it before? I’ve only ever seen it if one radial has been cooked but not on multiple circuits. Picture attached ? interested to see what you guys think

 

[freddo]

The clips will be made of polystyrene, this reacts with PVC and softens. My mothers house has the same type of clips.

 

[ashrow]

Seen this many times, is the property circa 1970 ?

Note to self...... i should read the title of thread.... but this chemical reaction did happen in the 70's and not just to cable and clips..........

 

[static zap]

(Phew..." Suicidal clips" worried part of me was going to say check for earth bonding into lighting circuit ! )
Seen equipment cables - sunk into polystyrene packaging.
The joys of chemistry and plasticisers !!

 

[Bradneil]

?? worrying for nothing then hey!! Yes it must be late 60’s early 70’s. Thanks fellas

 

[freddo]

A lot of electronics have cases made of polystyrene, if they have been stored for a few years with the power cable wrapped around it the cable often 'melts' into the case. I have several pieces of audio equipment cosmetically damaged in that way.

 

[Chivers]

Cross Polymerization


Metal clips

 

[Lucien Nunes]

It's also a problem where PVC cables touch polystyrene thermal insulation, once very popular in boats.

 

[PEG]

I'm almost certain,the latest deal,wil address this migration problem...?

 

[WallaceP]

Its amazing how quick new technology/materials were pushed into the housing industry without full testing.

 

[telectrix]

Its amazing how quick cheap materials were pushed into the housing industry without full testing.

corrected thsat for you.

 

[static zap]

Cross Polymerization ...

Metal clips​

Cross customers positively fuming.

Metal a good call
(until need sleeving !)​

 

[sparkdog]

Might be caused by glow worms.