Old 15amp round pin sockets and rubber cable

Matty o · Jan 25, 2011

Went to a job today to change some socket front's

When i got there i was faced with the old round pin sockets screwed to the skirting and no back box. I careful pull the front forward and yes its rubber cable.
The house is like a museum right down to 30s light switches.

They have had a 16th cu fitted with rcds 3 years ago and are amendment they don't what the house rewired as it all works.

I have talked them into having a pir done and i did do a insulation resistance test on one of the socket circuits and surprising it came back good and the rubber wasn't crumbing.

So as long as it passes can i just get away with making a note on the form to say that due to the age i recommend a rewire.

ezzzekiel · Jan 25, 2011

providng everything tests out ok then there is no reason ahy the installation cant remain in service as it is.

telectrix · Jan 25, 2011

not a question of getting away with. do a full pir and make recommends as you see fit. obviously, the install requires a major update, but you can't force them to have the work done.

i=p/u · Jan 25, 2011

a old lady gave me round old 3pin plug on a radio to change the other day, had no fuse init, is this right. i

Dave_ · Jan 25, 2011

i=p/u said:
a old lady gave me round old 3pin plug on a radio to change the other day, had no fuse init, is this right. i

they are not fused no, they come in 2 amp, 5 and 15 from what i remember. The 15 amp ones are very common for something like a stage lighting installation, where you have a load of lights on a bar above and to the sides of the stage. Why she has one on her radio i dont know!!

Adam W · Jan 25, 2011

If everything is perfectly preserved and tests out OK I see no reason to rip it all out just because it's old and you wouldn't use it on a new installation because it's not to the current edition of BS7671.
I don't like this idea of "VIR = Rewire" if there's nothing wrong with it.

Also could you take some picture please?

Matty o · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks for your thoughts at least the circuits are all rcd protected including the lighting even through those there's no earth
I will take some pictures next week when i do the pir.

Marvo · Jan 25, 2011

I think the 3-pin round plugs you're referring to are 16 amp rated. They're standard in many countries.

If the installation is to code and passes all the relevant tests as well as a thorough visual inspection then I don't see that it would warrant a rewire recommendation.