[Question] Replacing old wiring

[Isetech]

This has become an interesting challenge.

If you are busy doing an test report for the sale of a property or an insurance assessment, at what point do you recommend a rewire?

Generally if you find old VIR wiring and fuse boxes, its a no brainer to advise the customer to rewire and replace the fuse box.

I have found that even PVC wiring installation are becoming a challenge. IF you bother removing the switches or socket outlets, you might find that blue goooey stuff all over the terminals.

If the insulation resistance readings are clear, then it shouldnt be a problem, you could still pass the installation if all the reading are within the limits.

Another reason why I strongly advise customer to check the installation prior to signing the transfer papers, if you havent had a house rewired lately, best you consider the cost, it could require a second bond.

Between old galvanised piping and old electrical wiring, it could put the property way out of your budget.

Some might say it doesn't matter we have insurance.

[Derlyn]

Yep, the blue stuff at the terminations I don't see as a fail, however, I check the wires in the attic very carefully.

If you find any traces of blue stuff, especially in the vicinity of the porcelain holders, that means the insulation is compromised and a rewire is required.

[Dylboy]

I have seen the green stuff but I assume it's the same as the blue, and mayabe can appear blue. But ya I see that and then IR test is needed. The cable is then reaching its design life as far as I know.

But interesting on the rewire. In the UK they rewire often, well not the house but the sparks I follow I see do rewires often.

The one rewire was 10k pounds....

If ever I can across a job here that needed a rewire the cost would be astronomical as the owner would probably have to also rent somewhere as most of the homes would require chasing... As you say second bond stuff.

But still interesting topic. I have never had to re wire a house, only extensions where we bring in new cables etc where we can or need to.


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[Isetech]

When I was an apply we use to rewire houses as a side line job on the weekend, Friday night - Cut all the steel piping in the roof and pull out he wiring. Saturday morning - pipe the roof space and start wiring. Sunday morning finish wiring and start reconnecting and fitting all the sockets, switches and lights. Good pocket money for a weekend back then

[skatingsparks]

The green goo. Its from early 60's i think. It was the plasticiser in the cable. I mean, if its from the 60's its over 50 years old and if the plasticiser is oozing out of i think its fair to say its had its day. If the insulation isn't breaking down, it will soon. Why wait for a fault or fire? I advise rewire will, at some point soon, be needed
PVC cables is designed to last something like 25-30 years. I don't sign it off. Is it suitable for use? Not in my mind. Past its use by date and thats assuming its been looked after, maintained and used correctly. At some point it was probably covered by re-wirable fuses.
No problem if the readings are good and someone else does sign it off, but not me.

[AndyD]

Agree with above. I would condem VIR on sight, it's too old and whilst it might appear in tact and test fine, as soon as you start disturbing it by removing accessories or moving it around it almost invariably cracks up or completely sheds the insulation in front of your eyes.

PVC with green goo leaking out of it would also be condemed by me. Whilst the actual goo itself often doesn't cause insulation breakdown it does cause dust, debris, dead insects etc to stick to it over time which in turn these contaminants absorb moisture and causes low IR and flashing problems.