how old is cable???

[Jurassic Spark]

"stranded,soft grey<ish>sheath and waxy red cable sheath, any ideas?" (3/029)

Mid 60's - TRS (your black rubber poo) was being phased out in favour of the `new fangled` plastic cables. No earths in lighting cables usually, but sockets cables (7/029) can be servicable if you're not adding to them.

TRS cables introduced early fifties? in twin&e form after lead sheathed fell out of favour. Thank god - it weighed a ton!

 

[CUDABOY]

ta man, there are some what look like 1.0mm2 for lighting, separate earth. thats next to rip out!!!

 

[hodgey1972]

mid 70s for the grey
anything from 1940s for the vulcanised rubber

 

[Dinosaur]

just out of pure curios, how old are cables? im doing remedial work in house, guy reakons was "rewired" {yeh, by eddison or farraday!} guessing as not want to £££ but the stuff in there, stranded,soft grey<ish>sheath and waxy red cable sheath, any ideas? when i started back in late 80s im sure was solid conductor back then? also on another job sheath was rubberised black poo that had turned to powder in places,crumbley when you touch! be nice to know as to tell customer,ie your wiring is xxxx years etc.

I would say that the property was wired late 40's early 50's, up untill then the rubber insulation was covered with cotton fabric! Dont take old cable to scrappy - you might get better price from a museum!

 

[Aerlingus]

Never touch VIR. Just tell customer they need a Re-Wire ASAP. If you touch VIR and it crumbles you could in theory be exposing live conductors.

 

[CUDABOY]

thankyou both for info, just finished job<new rings/extention,customer pleading poverty,only wanting some done then more when money allows,mix of stranded t + e and vulcanised poo,will run away in future!i know these are lean times but unless i get to rip out and start again i aint going to bother, just hassle!

 

[spamwize2]

I think he's aware of that aerlingus but i would agree its 40's, must be an interesting db!