Renting property - VIR (Rubber Cable) - EICR, is this allowable if pass tests?

[Bignose2]

Hi,

Renovating property, done most & unfortunately (stupidly) now realized there is fair bit of VIR rubber cable still installed in the lighting circuits.

The ring has been done, all circuits proctected by RCD etc.

The cable surprisingly seems in good condition but appreciate only whats visible but where able to & moved it is not breaking & seems OK.

I know it should be replaced but wondered IF it passes restistance test is this allowable, expecially being rental.

If it was the ring main I would replace no question but lighting not so sure although as I understand won't have an earth so not sure how that may effect RCD protection etc.

To be honest suspect 4/5 years of renting & the whole place likely knocked down & rebuild something bigger! hence trying to avoid.

Thanks I/A

 

[westward10]

The fact it is a lighting circuit and not a ring final is not relevant it is still a cable whose primary purpose is to insulate copper conductors. If that insulation is deteriorating which it is likely to be then it should be replaced, rubber cables should be considered past their reasonable service life.

 

[Bignose2]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply & as I say "I know it should be replaced", so thanks for that confirmation but I was asking if it was allowable regulation wise, if it passes an insulation test.

My point about the circuits was lighting is only likely to draw a relatively small amount of AMPS so far less likely to fail. Of course any short can cause a fire but not going to be pulling 30 amps that is far more likely to overheat & fail in many ways.

A simple yes or no with the disclamier saying however it is a really bad/stupid idea, would have sufficed.

 

[westward10]

What does your electrician say?
Has your consumer unit been replaced?

 

[mezi]

It would be best to remove it asap, it might be good today but fall apart tomorrow and set the building on fire. The cable is past its life expectancy.

could be worth asking the building insurance if they are happy to pay out if there is a fire.

Arc fault detection is a must if you have to keep it and frequent inspections.

 

[buzzlightyear]

My point about the circuits was lighting is only likely to draw a relatively small amount of AMPS so far less likely to fail. Of course any short can cause a fire but not going to be pulling 30 amps that is far more likely to overheat & fail in many ways.

Old VIR cable. no doubt will have an cpc with it.
Especially if you have class 1 fittings.

 

[littlespark]

The act of taking off switches or fittings to do some tests would probably wreck the insulation as it is.

Are we looking at VIR singles in conduit, or old rubber t&e?

 

[Bignose2]

Rubber T&E

A few switches were replaced by the decorators & the cable seems!! remarkably good, at that time but as suggested perhaps the act of putting them back into place would have then cracked them unseen.

As sensible as it is to replace would be interested to know if in theory they seem OK, etst OK, can the EICR pass as a C3 (as I understand) important but not urgent.

 

[westward10]

What does your electrician say and has the consumer unit been replaced?

 

[buzzlightyear]

As sensible as it is to replace would be interested to know if in theory they seem OK, etst OK, can the EICR pass as a C3 (as I understand) important but not urgent.

Has it ever had an EICR.

 

[Bignose2]

Sparky came out for a pre EICR guidance, had a spare few minutes, says it should be replaced but only had a quick look, did not do close visual inspection.

We thought all the rubber was dead to be honest as lots of new cabling, it was a brief look around the house.

Had a new metal RCD CU in garage 5 or 6 years ago & that protects an older CU inside but just MCB's.
To regs but not idea as would trip the whole house but he was happy with that.

Don't think there has ever been any triping other than when we knew a microwave was dead & the same for a hoover.

 

[westward10]

So who rewired the ring final circuit?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Sparky came out for a pre EICR guidance, had a spare few minutes, says it should be replaced but only had a quick look, did not do close visual inspection.

We thought all the rubber was dead to be honest as lots of new cabling, it was a brief look around the house.

Had a new metal RCD CU in garage 5 or 6 years ago & that protects an older CU inside but just MCB's.
To regs but not idea as would trip the whole house but he was happy with that.

I would not happy to say that, me thinks
This post is no going nowhere.

 

[brianmoooore]

In my experience from 40 odd years ago, when I was coming across and assessing VIR T&E nearly every day, it was the lighting circuits that had deteriorated the most, especially above light fittings where they had been exposed to heat, and in lofts where the ambient temperature would have been 30 degrees + on summer days.

 

[westward10]

I wonder who rewired the ring final???