urgent upgrade or wait? of fusebox/ CU and black pitch/ tar on service cable

[rabu]

Hi, would just like to say thanks to anyone who answered my last posts about outside light switch and installing key switch. Anyway was replacing 2 damaged sockets over today, after putting electric back on thought id get 2 pics of our installation and some advise from here, firstly, the Fuse box is from mid 60s when house was built is this due for replacement urgently? or can it wait? since at the moment we arnt having any issues with it also the cable in the house is PVC, solid core (new things) or if origional to the house is the imperial stranded cable but still PVC insulated. Also can anybody tell me what the black stuff is coming from the service cable where it meets the main fuse? looks like pitch or tar to me, what bit is on the floor is solid also when the fuse/ meter was changed in i think 2008 the guy doing it said it was nothing to worry about, which i dont since its been "leaking" since the house was built, just looking to know what it is really and what causes it. Thanks.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Hi, would just like to say thanks to anyone who answered my last posts about outside light switch and installing key switch. Anyway was replacing 2 damaged sockets over today, after putting electric back on thought id get 2 pics of our installation and some advise from here, firstly, the Fuse box is from mid 60s when house was built is this due for replacement urgently? or can it wait? since at the moment we arnt having any issues with it also the cable in the house is PVC, solid core (new things) or if origional to the house is the imperial stranded cable but still PVC insulated. Also can anybody tell me what the black stuff is coming from the service cable where it meets the main fuse? looks like pitch or tar to me, what bit is on the floor is solid also when the fuse/ meter was changed in i think 2008 the guy doing it said it was nothing to worry about, which i dont since its been "leaking" since the house was built, just looking to know what it is really and what causes it. Thanks.
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If it was my board then I'd change it-do a few IR tests and get a feel for the condition of the installation.

The pitch can be from the service head or the supply cable insulation, it's often the result of the service head running warm at some point (maybe years back).

Southern Electric (for example) say:

There is a substance like black tar leaking from my electricity meter. What should I do?

If the substance is hot and has a strange smell, you need to contact our Emergencyline immediately on 0845 770 80 90.

If Southern Electric is not your local network operator, click here for our list of emergency phone numbers.

If it is cold and there is no smell, phone our Enquiryline on
0845 7444 555. They will pass your details on to our engineers who will contact you to make an appointment to change the fuse.

If Southern Electric is not your local network operator, phone us on 0845 600 2006. Our advisers will take your details and pass them to your local network operator who will contact you to discuss the work"