Weeping sockets

[Roger]

Went to look at a house today ,present owner been in there for 44 years and brought from new.

All ring main sockets have green slim weeping from them ! it is down the walls on some and is on the skirting board, removed one and the old grey twin and earth lookes like the pvc is breaking down and secreting something used in the construction of it.Most of the plugs used on the sockets have green residue on the pins as well.It only appears to come from the live and neutral insulation as the earth wire looks clean.
Took the cover of the old fuse board and there is evidence of it happening in there as well.
I thought it might have been damp initially but not the case.Its that sort of copper oxidation ssen outside.
I will return and guess do a IR test on some of the circuits and this should give me a indication as to the extent of the problem.

Has anyone seen anything like this before ???

 

[nickblake]

Oh yes be careful mate there is a book on ESC website regarding green goo its a chemical reaction between the copper and pvc due to the chemicals used in making the PVC property will require rewiring i did put up a post regarding thsi ill try and get you the link

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It's the plasticiser leaking out of the PVC. Usually refered to as green goo.
The more that leaks, the harder and more brittle the insulation will become.
The plasticiser is non-conductive.
The only way to get rid of it, is to re-wire.
If IR readings are ok, then there's nothing in the Regulations requiring it to be fixed.

 

[SMB]

Nick is correct.

Its 'green goo'.

All the cables affected will require replacement.

 

[nickblake]

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/SwitchedOn-Issue-19.pdf

Have alook here all you need to know about it it is toxic so be careful with it

article on Page 11 of the ESC switched on mag

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Remember that the problem of plasticiser leakage was solved, and new cables..(that meet the standards) will not be affected in the future,you can reassure your customer with that.

 

[telectrix]

Remember that the problem of plasticiser leakage was solved, and new cables..(that meet the standards) will not be affected in the future,you can reassure your customer with that.

that will soften the blow of a 3grand rewire. also tell him the new cable should last over 44 years. not much use to him if he's 60+ though.

 

[Roger]

The owner is a full time carer suffering with depression ,this will not go down to well.She made the comment to me today ,she is somewhat strange that she had her social assisitant take her for ECT treatment today.Which she then said was electric shock treatment to her head to help her with depression !!! thought that stopped in the 70's
The house is full of crap everywhere and to be honest i do not want to rewire it.Mother lives downstairs,not decorated since build i think.
Think I will send her a letter explaining the best way forward.
I am continued to be amazed as to what goes on behind closed doors.
Anyone desperate for work please put you name forward,house is in Surrey.
Great replies,thanks again to all

 

[SMB]

Sounds truly awful.

 

[tonys]

If IR readings are ok, then there's nothing in the Regulations requiring it to be fixed.

1st time I agree with spin lol

Seen it loads of times, I call it "cable bleeding"

NICEIC also agree if cable insulation as not broken down, then not a problem. Can't beat the NICEIC as the number scheme provider with the best Technical Engineers.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

It is recommended to rewire as the problem will only get worse...but I would agree that if there are no obvious problems it can be left alone for the present. I would recommend to the client a reduced period between periodics though...maybe every 5 years.

 

[Marvo]

The owner is a full time carer suffering with depression ,this will not go down to well.She made the comment to me today ,she is somewhat strange that she had her social assisitant take her for ECT treatment today.Which she then said was electric shock treatment to her head to help her with depression !!! thought that stopped in the 70's
The house is full of crap everywhere and to be honest i do not want to rewire it.Mother lives downstairs,not decorated since build

I think your problem is more with the woman than the electrics. The green goo I could live with but she's giving me the heebyjeebies even at a distance of 6000 miles :-/

 

[gamblor6]

its called copper phaphelate or summit like that and came from installs in the 1970s. its harmfull to children for some reason and hence should be rewired.

 

[nickblake]

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/SwitchedOn-Issue-19.pdf its plasticizer causes a chemical reaction in the cables makes the plastic go brittle have a lock at this link page 11

 

[Roger]

Many thanks for the ECS stuff very useful i will print a copy off for her.She is having enough trauma in her life with out this little lot.I will do a IR test on the circuits and explain my findings to her.She did offer to pay me just to have a look today,but i said thats ok i was on my way home.Fealt a bit sorry for her.Until her mothers fate is decided i think i will just suggest its reviewed every couple of years or so,she gave me the impression that her mother was on her legs.It is her mums house and it will be sold when she goes,which will probably be quite soon.Might be worth just replacing some of the nasty looking sockets and thats it I guess subject to tests for the meantime.
A sad way to end the day seen all sides of life today,replaced lights in a charity workshop for kids with learing difficulties in the morning.General house repairs for an Earl in a 16th century house and then repaired a fuse in a factory controlling shutter doors.
No two days are ever the same,bloody great.
Thanks again.