Introduction
A
huge amount of homes in the United Kingdom
still have old electrical wiring. This is
unsafe and in effect a fire hazard but old
wiring is not a good conductor and will
cost you more on your electricity bills
in comparison to modern systems. This meaning
it will most likely effect the value of
a home/building when it comes to selling
it and will be shown as a problem when it
comes to having a survey.
How to check if you may
need a re-wire
The
main thing you should check is the colour
of the electrical cables, If you find a
black coloured cable entering your consumer
unit (also known as fuse box/fuse board/distribution
unit) This is a sign that the wiring needs
to be checked. Up to date electrical cables
are either grey or white and have PVC insulation.
The old black cables are insulated with
rubber, which over time will decay.
Black rubber wires can be very old. In fact
up to 40 years old and over time the conductors
in the cables can meet. This will make your
fuses blow and if you replace them they
will just blow again and again. The only
way to solve this problem is to have the
cable replaced with the modern more safe
PVC.
10
Signs that show you need a rewire
1. Does you consumer unit have replaceable
fuse wires?
2. Does any of your sockets or plugs heat
up fast or have burn marks?
3. Do your fuses trip regularly?
4. Do you need to use plug adapters or extensions?
5. Do your lights use old, twisted flex?
6. Is your flexing rubber coated?
7. Are you plugs and sockets rounded?
8. Do you have earth cables in your lighting
and are they connected?
9. Over the last 10 years, have you had
your wiring checked?
10. Do you have an earth cable on your gas
meter and water stop tap (if so is it 10mm
sq).
More
signs of needing a rewire
| |
 |
 |
Old
Fuse Board |
Old TRS
Wiring |
Old SwitchGear |
An old fuse board
(fuse
box/fuse board/distribution unit/consumer
unit)
If you have an old fuse board like the
first image shown above then this could
mean your wiring is dangerous and does not
meet the current regulations.
Old TRS Wiring
(TRS) was the old type of wiring used in
the 1960's and in comparison to modern PVC
cabling, it is unsafe and dangerous. The
difference between PVC cabling and TRS cabling
is very distinctive and is easy to spot.
TRS cables are very dangerous as there is
no earth cable inside unlike modern PVC
with 3 cables which includes the earth cable.
The best place to check for TRS cabling
is usually within the loft as it is easy
to access. But if you do not find any TRS
cabling in the loft they could still be
hidden away somewhere.
Old
Switchgear
An
old switchgear is a dead giveaway that the
electrical installation may be in need of
a rewire.
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