Do
i need an electrical rewire?
A
large amount of houses in the UK still have old wiring.
This is unsafe and potentially a fire hazard but is also
much less cost efficient to modern systems. This may also
be affecting the resale value of your home/business premises,
the reason being this is highlighted as a big problem during
a survey.
How to check if you may need a rewire
One of the first things you should check is the colour
of the cables – If you find a black coloured cable
entering your consumer unit (also known as “fuse
board” or “distribution unit”), This
is a sign that the wiring needs checking. Modern electrical
cables are either white or grey and are insulated with
PVC coating – the old black cables are insulated
with rubber, which decays with age. Black rubber coated
wires can be up to 40 years old and over time deterioration
allows the conductors inside the cables meet. This will
make your fuses blow, and if you replace the fuses they
will simply blow again. The only solution to this is to
have the cable replaced.
10
tell tale signs your home may need a re-wire
1. Does you fuse box have a replaceable fuse wires?
2. Do your plugs or sockets get hot or have scorch marks?
3. Do fuses blow regularly?
4. Do you have to use extension leads and adaptors?
5. Do you have lights that use the old, twisted type of
flex?
6. Do you have rubber covered flex?
7. Do you have round pin plugs and sockets?
8. Are your cables missing an earth cable?
9. Do you use electrical equipment outdoors?
10. Has your wiring been checked in the last 10 years?
If
you answered yes to any of the above you could require a
re-wire.
If
your fuse board looks like the one shown below then there’s
a high chance that it doesn’t meet the current regulations
and could be dangerous.
Old
switchgear, like the picture below (i.e. bakelite) is also
a dead giveaway that the installation may be in need of
some upkeep.
TRS
Wiring Tough Rubber Sheath Wiring
(TRS) was used in the 1960’s and compared to today's
modern PVC cables, it is very unsafe. If your house/business
premises is older than this, and hasn't been re-wired at
some point, there may be TRS wiring present in your house.
TRS wiring can be extremely dangerous. If you look at the
picture below you should see why straight away!
The difference between the two cables is distinctive and
you should be able to spot old TRS wiring at a glance, TRS
cabling can be very dangerous because it is usually present
in lighting cables and there is no earth wire. In modern
PVC cable there is 3 wires (Brown, Blue and the bare conductor)
which includes the all safe earth wire. In the old TRS cabling
if there are any metal light fittings in your property you
could be in for a shock as there is no earth this can be
potentially fatal.
Usually
the best place to check for TRS cabling is in the loft as
it’s easy to access. But if you don’t find them
up there they could still be hiding somewhere else! If you
are in doute get a qualified electrician out to check this
for you!
Here are a few overall rules:
1. Check for old accessories, switches, sockets, etc
2. Check the consumer unit
3. In pre 60's properties, check the cabling, if it's TRS
GET IT REPLACED A.S.A.P
4. IF IN DOUTE CALL US AND ASK US TO CARRY OUT AN ELECTIRCAL
SAFETY CHECK FOR YOU!
AND
PLEASE REMEMBER, THE INFORMATION GIVEN ON THIS PAGE IS FOR
GUIDEANCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE PARTS
OF THE INSTALLATION IF YOU ARE NOT TRAINED TO DO SO. IF
IN DOUTE LEAVE IT TO THE PROFFESSIONALS.
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