rewire?

[Hawk]

Had a quick look at a property, which a friend has bought, to see what the electrics are like. From just doing a visual and from information from the previous owner, the property is late 60's early 70's and had additional works carried out in the 80's. My initial thoughts are that it will need rewired due to the age of the installation. However I will know better when I do a thorough inspection and tests. I have attached a picture of the fuse boxes/wiring.

What would your thoughts be from the info and picture. Would you rewire, due to age, even if the tests prove the wiring is ok?

 

[Hawk]

Carried out a quick IR test on both boards, by linking L&N together and testing between them and earth. Bottom board was >999MOhms and the top board was 180MOhms. Earthing will be upgraded and will do a proper EICR when the house is vacant.

 

[marconi]

Suggest you check for cable rot sometimes known as green goo.

 

[shanky887614]

Suggest you check for cable rot sometimes known as green goo.

technically green goo is the plastisizer from the pvc.

 

[marconi]

And horrible stuff it is. See 'Snags and Solutions' Snag 47 published by niceic for more on it.

 

[shanky887614]

And horrible stuff it is. See 'Snags and Solutions' Snag 47 published by niceic for more on it.

yeah its not good, shows that the circuits have been overloaded as well (quite often a single socket ring in the house)

 

[bartkusal]

I think the top board has an earth. If you look closer, and see that earth block on the left top, in the bottom of the block comes 2 y/g conductors and from the top comes out black cable/conductor (not sure why black) and then it comes from the top into the board.

I suppose I’m still guessing, but it looks very likely….

As per rewire, if that would be my house and I do a refurb and have everything up, and bearing in mind the age of installation, I would do a rewire for sure, no matter what the tests show….. The next refurb could be 20 years away and that would bring the install up to 60 years….

So… Just do it J

My initial thoughts would be, where is the earth to the top consumer unit? unless the beer has taken over my clouded vision

 

[telectrix]

I think the top board has an earth. If you look closer, and see that earth block on the left top, in the bottom of the block comes 2 y/g conductors and from the top comes out black cable/conductor (not sure why black) and then it comes from the top into the board.

I suppose I’m still guessing, but it looks very likely….

As per rewire, if that would be my house and I do a refurb and have everything up, and bearing in mind the age of installation, I would do a rewire for sure, no matter what the tests show….. The next refurb could be 20 years away and that would bring the install up to 60 years….

So… Just do it J

i've not been rewired yet, and i'm 68. cable does not suffer from cell degeneration like us old sods. rewire it in 2065.

did i just post that? don't remember. add altzeimers to the cell degeneration.

 

[davesparks]

[
As per rewire, if that would be my house and I do a refurb and have everything up, and bearing in mind the age of installation, I would do a rewire for sure, no matter what the tests show….. The next refurb could be 20 years away and that would bring the install up to 60 years…

Why if the existing install proves to be in good condition would you rewire it?

 

[Midwest]

Its personal choice Dave. You couldn't tell a customer they need to rewire of course, if the test results were satisfactory. But if it was my property and I was moving in making lots of changes, ripping up floor boards, it makes sense to do it now. It fact it's only when the floorboards are taken up, that you can see what's been done. The OP suggests the property dates from the 60's, and albeit tests suggests it's okay and pvc cabling has a long shelf life, it's not going to last for ever. I would still use the opportunity to change the cabling as of my opinion in #12.

 

[Midwest]

Here's just one suggestion from a cable manufacturer; BASEC - British Approvals Service for Cables

 

[DrinGONatoR]

See how it tests out first. Plus it's your friends house so he'll have to plaster and decorate it afterwards. Entirely up to your mate really.

 

[Hawk]

I told them that I would recommend rewiring it due to the age of the installation, even though the wiring tests out ok. They want me just to upgrade the fuse box and all accessories.

 

[Midwest]

Are they getting you to rewire as well?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Definitely looks like the top board has an earth.

 

[Hawk]

Not rewiring it.