How Long Before A House Should Be Re- Wired ?

[Bazile]

Seeing another thread on fuse box has prompted me to ask about home electrical wiring .

We bought our house in 1983 - it has not been re-wired since .
Our fuse box is still the type where if a fuse blows , you actually have to insert the fuse wire in to the fuse contrapment

My question - is our safety at risk ?

[Baldric]

http://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_contrapment_mean?#slide=2

[The Builder]

When tested, Baz, re-wireable consumer units often pass as perfectly safe. The main problem is that they don't contain an RCD (earth leakage trip.)

RCDs are mandatory for new installations and some alterations, but you can't be forced to have one. Unless, of course, the electrician finds a fault, in which case, he will advise.

Full testing should be carried out every 10 years.

EICR (electrical installation condition report.

You may well find that even a system that's over 30 years old may well be fine. At least there's no rubber wiring!

The EICR will show up everything.

[Zacs-Master]

http://castle-surveyors.co.uk/306/

[Old_Geezer]

I wonder what proportion of folk get someone in to test it every decade. I reckon most leave well alone if it isn't causing problems. Certainly not had my house wiring tested all the time I've been here.

[Old_Geezer]

PS MCBs are more convenient than proper fuses.

[The Builder]

Just wanted to add that, for rented property, it should be every 5 years.

[Bazile]

thanks .

I thought that after a while the electrical cables would start to deteriorate .

[Bazile]

The Builder

//The main problem is that they don't contain an RCD (earth leakage trip.) //

I have a cable under the stairs cupboard , coming up from between the junction of the floorboard and the outside wall .
This is then connected to a pipe along the wall ( i don't know if it is the gas pipe )

Any idea , what this cable is - would it be something to do with earthing ?

[The Builder]

Any deterioration would show up when the insulation impedance (resistance) is measured.

Earth fault loop impedance is another test. This ensures that safe disconnection will occur in the event of a fault.

Cable can deteriorate of course. That's what the tests are for.

The cable under the stairs ... If it's a single core, it will either be green for an old system, or green and yellow stripes for a more recent one.

If it goes to an incoming gas supply pipe, then it's an earthing cable that ensures that supply will disconnect should the pipe become live. Same applies to metal oil pipes and old metal water supplies.