Does it need a rewire?

[Swell1]

Hello, we've recently moved to a 1960s property and I plan to get an electrician out to quote on a new consumer unit and I'll ask for advice if the house needs a rewire. I was hoping for thoughts on this forum based on the images attached of 1 x socket and 2 x light switches (if this is possible based on these pictures!)
Many thanks

 

[JohnW2]

Hello, we've recently moved to a 1960s property and I plan to get an electrician out to quote on a new consumer unit and I'll ask for advice if the house needs a rewire. I was hoping for thoughts on this forum based on the images attached of 1 x socket and 2 x light switches (if this is possible based on these pictures!)

It certainly does not need re-wiring just because the (PVC) cables have 'old' colours. Those cables may well remain OK for another 50 years, maybe even 100+ years.

Only an electrician who had inspected the installation could tell you the extent to which 'updating' of the installation would be desirable/advisable. As above, the wiring would not have to be replaced because of its colours/age, per se, but if extensive changes (e.g. lots more, or differently located, circuits/sockets/lights/whatever) were required, it's not impossible that he/she would say that to 'start from scratch' with all new wiring would be the simplest approach (but I suspect that may be unlikley).

Kind Regards, John

 

[SFK]

I am interested to see a picture of your current consumer unit.
SFK

 

[Swell1]

Thank you. Pic attached.

 

[sparkwright]

The light switches have earth wires present.

Green and yellow sleeving instead of green sleeving means 1978 or newer.

Pozi screws holding the back boxes isn't very 1960s (or 70s or 80s for that matter).

The back boxes aren't very well plastered around, so probably not original.

The switches faceplates don't look 1960s or 70s.

If this really is a 1960s building, I can only imagine it had pre-1966 lighting without earth wires, and has already been re-wired.

Just a thought.

Let's have a look at a 13 amp socket (not necessarily the kitchen, kitchens often get modernised).

EDIT. That's a socket in the last of the three pics. Nothing very 1960s about that.

What makes you think this place was built in the 1960s?

 

[Swell1]

Wow thank you, we've recently bought it and it stated when it was built in the details from the solicitors. Great feedback thank you! I can only assume its had work in the past which is good to hear.

 

[SFK]

Noting that I am NOT an electrician, I am a DIYer so happy to be corrected by those in the know.


Looking at your image of your consumer unit:
It is not the newest - but as far as I can see it is providing 30mA RCD to the majority of the circuits (and the important ones at that) which is good.
Newest spec does requires a metal Consumer Unit and that there is 30mA RCD protection to all circuits (including lighting).
But this is not retrospective - so you do not have to update to that spec.
So your Consumer unit looks suitable & okay and outwardly looks safe.
Without a good reason (ie if nothing is is changing) I would not update it.
But you might need to update it if you are having other works done.

Why are you wanting/considering a new Consumer unit?


(Just noticed it is missing its transparent front door panel.)

 

[sxturbo]

I wouldn't update any of that unless there is a fault.

As has been stated it looks as if the house has been re-wired in the past, maybe 90's

 

[SFK]

Forgot to add.
Make sure you test the RCD protection works by occasionally pressing the small black test button (noting that it should remove all power to the right hand MCBs, but the lights should stay on).

 

[plugwash]

I was hoping for thoughts on this forum based on the images attached of 1 x socket and 2 x light switches (if this is possible based on these pictures!)

When I look at those accesories I see a distinct lack of red sleeving on the switched-lives and I also see some rather unconventional cable entries into the boxes.And not a single grommet to be seen.

As others have said there are things in those photos (posidriv screw, green/yellow sleeving) which indicate that the wiring is not the original to the house.

The socket is also a spur, now there is nothing wrong with the occasional spur, but too many raises worries.

To me these pictures smack of being installed by someone who either didn't know or didn't care about best practices.

Of course we can only speak to what we see, we can't say whether those three accessories are representitive of the installation as a whole.

Thank you. Pic attached.

The CU is of a "16th edition" layout which means it was presumably installed between 1991 and 2008. Unfortunately it seems to be from a discontinued product line.

The CU replacement or may not have happened at the same time as the other work.

Newest spec does requires a metal Consumer Unit and that there is 30mA RCD protection to all curcuits (including lighting).
But this is not retrospective - so you do not have to update to that spec.

The issue is that those making additions/changes may argue that the new work needs to be to current regs which means RCD protected.

If the CU was from a product line that is still current that wouldn't be a problem, Just swap the MCBs on the lighting circuits for RCBOs, but it doesn't appear to be. There are some GE RCBOs on ebay but it's not clear to me if they are compatible.

 

[Swell1]

Thank you everyone, great knowledge and advice!