Rewiring A House ?

June 11, 2013 - By timlaight

At Sky Electrical we are frequently asked whether a house needs rewiring.  The question is often prompted when someone is contemplating buying a property and the valuation has suggested getting an electrical inspection or perhaps one of the energy companies has sent a flyer showing a picture of an old fusebox and enquiring if the electrical installation is over 20 years old.

Rewiring a house doesn’t have to be a chore. Having tested literally hundreds of residential wiring in properties over the years, we can safely say that complete rewires are the exception rather than the rule.  The need for a complete rewire is usually where the fixed wiring is of such an age that it has deteriorated to the extent that it is dangerous e.g. old rubber insulated cables.  If your house has PVC cables then usually they do not need replacing; certainly not every 20 years as we have seen suggested by unscrupulous companies seeking to scaremonger.

However, having said that if cables are run permanently near their maximum operating temperature their life is reduced but this is seldom the case in the domestic environment.  Correctly installed and lightly loaded PVC cables can, and do, last 50 years or more.  Just bear in mind that if your PVC cables are this old then it is possible that the lighting circuits are not earthed which could be a safety issue.

If your residential wiring is in good and safe condition (which cannot be determined by visual inspection alone; electrical test equipment is required) then usually the installation can be upgraded by installing a new consumer unit (fusebox) if the existing one is of the old type.  Attention to other matters regarding earthing and bonding can also usually be dealt with fairly simply.

If you would like to discuss rewiring a house or any aspects of this blog, then please call Sky Electrical on 020 8894 1799 and we shall be happy to talk to you.  Although we are based in Twickenham we serve a good portion of LondonSurrey and Middlesex.

If you’d like to find out more information on electrical services in your area please click here.

Tim Laight Qualifying Manager

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