Old coloured 2.5mm twin & earth

[chriselevate]

In the process of redoing my front room I’ve found the ring main sockets are all on black and red coloured single core 2.5mm twin and earth.

Whilst I’ve got access to them is it worth getting an electrician in to swap them? Just wondered how much longer these old coloured cables would be ok for. They are all in good condition with earth sleeved and no damage to the cables.

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[JohnD]

No.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Of course not.

It makes no difference. It's the same copper colour inside.



You can't have single cored twin and earth.

 

[chriselevate]

Of course not.

It makes no difference. It's the same copper colour inside.



You can't have single cored twin and earth.

Sorry I was meaning the old multiple coloured stuff. The stranded stuff?

 

[chriselevate]

Appreciate your responses.

So the black and red stuff will be ok to go for years and years to come?

 

[Iggifer]

If it's stranded it's nearer the end of it's life than if it was solid core T+E but chances are it's still perfectly serviceable

 

[chriselevate]

If it's stranded it's nearer the end of it's life than if it was solid core T+E but chances are it's still perfectly serviceable

Perfect! So solid core black and red has got many years left in it do you think? Any rough estimation? Thanks for the advice!

 

[Iggifer]

Impossible to say without knowing how old it is (it was installed for many, many years).

But very rarely do you see a correctly installed and used piece of PVC T+E that NEEDS replacing. Rewires are often due to other factors - the actual cable is often sound.

That being said, if there's any green goo in the cable, it definitely does need replacing (but this may well pre-date solid core T+E, I've only ever seen it in stranded stuff)

 

[chriselevate]

No green goo and all looks good visually. A full electrical report when buying the house 3.5yrs account didn’t bring up any issues either.

The house is 1974 so I’m kinda guessing the cable would date back to then or is it likely that it’s been rewired?

Thanks again for your help and advice on this.

 

[securespark]

'74 should be clear of the green goo dates.

 

[chriselevate]

Perfect! Thanks. Chances are it’ll be the original wiring then and not a rewire?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Red/black could have been used any time up to April 2006.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

https://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=5855

 

[winston1]

Red/black could have been used any time up to April 2006.

On another recent thread it was stated that it could still be used if the ends were re-sleeved.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

See if Mastermind will accept "missing the point" as a specialist subject - you could be a winner.