Type/Age of Wiring?

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

Hi folks,

Great forum you have here. Just changed a wall socket in our house. (Please see attached picture for inside of box).

It has two red wires, two black, and two bare earth wires. Each pair has been twisted together.

Our house was built around mid to late 60s I believe.

Can anyone tell me more about this type of wiring from around the mid to late 60s. Whats it made of, does it need replacing etc (life span)

.

Many thanks!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

... attached picture ...

My sympathy on inhabiting a house previously ministered to by the sort of people who think that painting around sockets etc constitutes a good job.

It has two red wires, two black, and two bare earth wires.

The bare ones should really be sleeved.

Each pair has been twisted together.

Deep joy. Were you able to get them back into the socket terminals OK?

Our house was built around mid to late 60s I believe.

Sounds about right for that cable type, which was phased out, AFAIK, in the early 70's.

Can anyone tell me more about this type of wiring from around the mid to late 60s. Whats it made of, does it need replacing etc (life span)

It's probably PVC/PVC, so it should be fine, unless it's been damaged.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Historic_Mains_Cables#Imperial_T.26E

As long as it's size and current carrying capacity are taken into account, it's OK to carry on using. See the Cable Characteristics tables here: http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Old-Imperial-cable-sizes

However - an electrical installation which is now 50 years old could have acquired all sorts of problems in that time, particularly if it has been fiddled with by the sort of person who CBA to even paint walls properly, so it might be an idea to have an inspection done.

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

Thank you kindly. Yes with a little bit of love, the wires went into the socket terminals ok. All seems good. Mind you I will probably explode in a ball of electric fire soon, knowing my luck!.

Thanks for the information.

 

[omega015]

All anyone can probably tell you is that its at least older than 13years (pre 2004) but its more like around 20+ years old (the house might of been rewired since the 60s from braided/rubber cable if it ever had it). Its made of copper and pvc insulator (same as the current standards I think, the insulator might be slightly different).

It might not need replacing at all if its still in good condition the full length of the cable, but only electrical & visual tests can tell you this. I would say at a minimum untwist everything and add some earth sleeve to those earth wires, ensure no broken strands and that back box is also connected to earth directly (rather than just from the faceplate).

If you have any concerns about your wiring/electrics, have someone come out and do a full test on the installation for you. That will show up any problems you might unknowingly have but your not required to update to latest standards etc... so don't let anyone try convince that you need a full rewire, fuse board etc... unless there's a real reason

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

Yes a re-wire would put our minds at rest - but as with all things its down to money. At the moment, its not an option.

Thanks for the information.

 

[omega015]

Yes a re-wire would put our minds at rest - but as with all things its down to money. At the moment, its not an option.

Thanks for the information.

A rewire might not be necessary at all, to put your mind at ease (when convenient) have a PIR (periodic inspection report) done on the house. That will tell you what (if anything at all) needs doing.

 

[JohnW2]

All anyone can probably tell you is that its at least older than 13years (pre 2004) but its more like around 20+ years old (the house might of been rewired since the 60s from braided/rubber cable if it ever had it). Its made of copper and pvc insulator (same as the current standards I think, the insulator might be slightly different).

With those stranded conductors, it's an awful lot more than 20 years old - quite possibly original 'late 1960s'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

A rewire might not be necessary at all, to put your mind at ease (when convenient) have a PIR (periodic inspection report) done on the house. That will tell you what (if anything at all) needs doing.

PIRs have been called EICRs for a few years!

Kind Regards, John

 

[omega015]

QUOTE="JohnW2, post: 3814683, member: 158945"]With those stranded conductors, it's an awful lot more than 20 years old - quite possibly original 'late 1960s'.

Kind Regards, John[/QUOTE]

Yeah I was just being picky/cautious with regards to when the regulations came into affect but yeah they are probably older than I am (and in better condition).

PIRs have been called EICRs for a few years!

Kind Regards, John

I still call snickers Marathons and starbust opal fruits. But yeah PIR>EICRs is probably something I should refer to correctly.

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

Thanks folks. Yes indeed a PIR or EICR lol, can certainly be done. By the way, what type of metal would be in those old wires?

Thanks.

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

QUOTE="JohnW2, post: 3814683, member: 158945"]With those stranded conductors, it's an awful lot more than 20 years old - quite possibly original 'late 1960s'.

Kind Regards, John

Yeah I was just being picky/cautious with regards to when the regulations came into affect but yeah they are probably older than I am (and in better condition).



I still call snickers Marathons and starbust opal fruits. But yeah PIR>EICRs is probably something I should refer to correctly.[/QUOTE]

Count me in for the Marathon & Opal fruit squad! lol. Now I feel hungry!

 

[Risteard]

It's probably PVC/PVC, so it should be fine, unless it's been damaged.

I would have to suggest that it is likely to be time-expired by now. It would be unwise to choose to keep wiring of that vintage much longer.

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

I would have to suggest that it is likely to be time-expired by now. It would be unwise to choose to keep wiring of that vintage much longer.

You may be correct, but if you cant afford to have it replaced - theres not much you can do.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks folks. Yes indeed a PIR or EICR lol, can certainly be done. By the way, what type of metal would be in those old wires?

Probably tinned copper (very unlikely to be aluminium). If you're interested, scrape one and see what colour is underneath!

Kind Regards, John

 

[ScaredOfTheElectric]

Probably tinned copper (very unlikely to be aluminium). If you're interested, scrape one and see what colour is underneath!

Kind Regards, John

Thanks for the info!