New 17th edition consumer units
New style 17th edition consumer boards, units or Fuse box
Rewire or Not
Many houses in the UK still have old wiring. This is not only unsafe and a potential fire hazard but is also less efficient than modern systems. It can also affect the resale value of your house, as old wiring almost certainly is highlighted as a major problem during a survey.
If you have old wiring in your house, for example fabric or rubber covered flex you should seriously consider having a complete rewire. Here at Mark Leyland Electrical Services we can completely redesign your electrical system to include sufficient socket outlets located in the right places to accommodate your needs, a state of the art consumer unit to replace your old fuse box which will contain residual current devices and circuit breakers. Rewiring a house is a major undertaking, we will carry out the work as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Take a look at our 10-point checklist to see if you might need a rewire.
1. Does your fuse box have replaceable fuse wire?
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 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 have answered yes to any of the above you could require a rewire.
RUBBER CABLE
It has a life expectancy of around 20 years, and none has been installed since the 1950s. So any cable encountered in an installation is well past its best-before date.
Look closely at the metal conductors, which are tinned copper. There are deposits on them - deposits of decomposed rubber.
Over the years, the rubber that insulates the conductors turns powdery. If you move the cable at all, you will discover that the conductors are free to move through this decomposed rubber dust and TOUCH. The cable then explodes with a brilliant white-pink flash.
If this is your cable, then it needs a rewire.
DANGER
Old wiring and electrical equipment could expose you to danger or damage your property.
Get it checked by a professional.