Vir cabling allowed for fuseboard change ??

[Electric Scott]

Hello all, I'm new to this but seeking some advice.
Just done an eicr, all lighting is white 1980s cabling, as is MOST of the power cabling. However, there are random 2-
3 sockets in old vir wiring, this is generally a no no to deal with, however, the consumer needs upgrading. Can I do this and sign off knowing that vir cabling is within the installation ??
Any advice is appreciated

 

[7029 dave]

VIR is well over its service life, and IMO the priority is to get that replaced first.

 

[MJPD29]

It really should be replaced. Connecting it is taking a risk as you won’t be able to visually inspect 100% of the cable in most cases. Personally I would not reconnect and if client was objecting I’d prefer to walk away.

 

[davesparks]

I'd contend that any visual inspection would need to cover 100% of the cable.

That's impossible with VIR as its in conduit, and if it isn't in conduit then that a whole other problem as it is single insulated cable.

Obviously if it was an insulated and sheathed rubber cable like TRS or CTS then that may be possible to do 100% inspection.

 

[nicebutdim]

That's impossible with VIR as its in conduit, and if it isn't in conduit then that a whole other problem as it is single insulated cable.

Obviously if it was an insulated and sheathed rubber cable like TRS or CTS then that may be possible to do 100% inspection.

You raise a valid point, but I'd worked on the assumption that VIR is being used as a general term for rubber cable as other posts in this thread have done.

Somewhere in the installation the rubber cables have been joined to T&E and these joints haven't been found, much less inspected.

Given the age and type of cable under discussion, along with 'known unknowns', I don't think anything should be assumed about condition.

 

[brianmoooore]

VIR stands for Vulcanised Indian Rubber and no more indicates the type of cable than PVC does.

 

[pc1966]

That's impossible with VIR as its in conduit, and if it isn't in conduit then that a whole other problem as it is single insulated cable.

If it was VIR in metal conduit I would be far less worried as fire risk fairly well contained.

It is the open stuff that would worry me, even if the CU change adds RCD protection that might catch faults that are enough to start a fire but not so high as to trip a MCB fast.

 

[7029 dave]

This type of cable has been installed domestically as far back as the early 1900's, so well over 100years old its done its job.

 

[nicebutdim]

This type of cable has been installed domestically as far back as the early 1900's, so well over 100years old its done its job.

Most of the rubber cable I've encountered dates back to the 1950s, but that 50 years makes little difference when long past its serviceable life.