Do I need a rewire?
Well, any fixed wiring installed prior to 1957 really needs replacing as it must be either rubber and/or lead insulated. How do I know?, that was the year that PVC composite cable was generally available, that’s how.
These are actual photos of what I found in 2004.
On the right, is the control gear for the whole property comprising of 2 lighting fuses (white round bits) and 2 double pole switch fuses complete with lead cables. The photo on the left is the burnt out connector on wooden skirting-board below.
I was only called in because the socket stopped working!
The property was originally wired in the 1930’s and ‘it’s been ok up to now, can’t you just repair it?’ is not the attitude. Indeed, I still know of places built after the war, that still need re-wiring. Just because you don’t have round pin plugs, doesn’t mean that all is well.
From 1957 for about 5 years, you may find a mixture of rubber and plastic in the same cable, and this should be replaced, after the mid 60’s it’s safe to assume that plastic cables rule and the insulation should be satisfactory (apart from the polystyrene problem mentioned earlier).
The other major changes which may cause you you think about having some work done, include the requirement from 1966 (14th edition) to actually have a connected earth protection cable on the lighting, although it was not until 1980 that the requirement to actually connect the wire(s) to anything entered the 15th edition of the wiring regulations. The other potential problem was the huge increase in the price of copper during the 1970’s. This led to the use of aluminium conductors. Corrosion can cause difficulties and needs to be kept an eye on.
Items that creep up without warning include, nice plastic water pipes being installed thus removing the nice earth protection you use by connecting to the water pipe, electric showers really should have a 30mA earth trip protecting them, lighting pendants should be circular and not twisted cotton/rubber cable and.......well, as you have your wiring regularly tested, you know all this!
Meanwhile in the ‘perfect’ world:
The government has decided to do something about ‘dangerous’ wiring carried out by those who have not quite enough knowledge to do it. It appears they have worked out that to save, over a 10 year period, an additional average of .8 dead people (person?) per year, it’s worth spending over £382,000,000, so they have now included electrical installations into the Building Regulations and to ensure everything is done safely and correctly, limited the requirement to notify building control to a kitchen and ‘special installation or location’ and only in domestic premises. This does mean that all electrical work should be carried out safely by a ‘competent’ person - just as before.
In line with current thinking, if you go on a course, you know it all, electrical firms ‘or individuals’ can go on a course and test their own work and notify the Building Control dept. after the work has been done. A few of us have not been on the ‘approved’ course and will have to notify the Building Control dept 48 hours before carrying out work within the scope of the legislation. A fee will need to be paid in both cases.
This does of course mean that people like myself (just 45 years experience, apprentice served, etc.) and most of the members of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (they who publish BS7671:2008) will need to notify the local authority before, for example, adding a socket in a kitchen, pay an inspection fee to allow someone appointed by your local council to inspect and test the work. It has not gone down well with members!!!!
My procedure for complying with the law and continuing to stay in business - click here
The property was originally wired in the 1930’s and ‘it’s been ok up to now, can’t you just repair it?’ is not the attitude. Indeed, I still know of places built after the war, that still need re-
From 1957 for about 5 years, you may find a mixture of rubber and plastic in the same cable, and this should be replaced, after the mid 60’s it’s safe to assume that plastic cables rule and the insulation should be satisfactory (apart from the polystyrene problem mentioned earlier).
The other major changes which may cause you you think about having some work done, include the requirement from 1966 (14th edition) to actually have a connected earth protection cable on the lighting, although it was not until 1980 that the requirement to actually connect the wire(s) to anything entered the 15th edition of the wiring regulations. The other potential problem was the huge increase in the price of copper during the 1970’s. This led to the use of aluminium conductors. Corrosion can cause difficulties and needs to be kept an eye on.
Items that creep up without warning include, nice plastic water pipes being installed thus removing the nice earth protection you use by connecting to the water pipe, electric showers really should have a 30mA earth trip protecting them, lighting pendants should be circular and not twisted cotton/rubber cable and.......well, as you have your wiring regularly tested, you know all this!
Meanwhile in the ‘perfect’ world:
The government has decided to do something about ‘dangerous’ wiring carried out by those who have not quite enough knowledge to do it. It appears they have worked out that to save, over a 10 year period, an additional average of .8 dead people (person?) per year, it’s worth spending over £382,000,000, so they have now included electrical installations into the Building Regulations and to ensure everything is done safely and correctly, limited the requirement to notify building control to a kitchen and ‘special installation or location’ and only in domestic premises. This does mean that all electrical work should be carried out safely by a ‘competent’ person -
In line with current thinking, if you go on a course, you know it all, electrical firms ‘or individuals’ can go on a course and test their own work and notify the Building Control dept. after the work has been done. A few of us have not been on the ‘approved’ course and will have to notify the Building Control dept 48 hours before carrying out work within the scope of the legislation. A fee will need to be paid in both cases.
This does of course mean that people like myself (just 45 years experience, apprentice served, etc.) and most of the members of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (they who publish BS7671:2008) will need to notify the local authority before, for example, adding a socket in a kitchen, pay an inspection fee to allow someone appointed by your local council to inspect and test the work. It has not gone down well with members!!!!
My procedure for complying with the law and continuing to stay in business -