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House rewired, old wire left?

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  • 04-09-2018 11:25pm
    #1
    randomperson01
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭


    At least one of the old main wires in our old house was left intact. The electrician said he tested it and it was fine and there was no need to replace it.

    Is this reasonable? It looks like it might be very difficult to get at and they were under pressure for time with the job taking far longer than expected. However if it's a full rewiring shouldn't all wires be replaced?


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    #2
    evosteo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,400 ✭✭✭evosteo


    Pvc cable has a limited lifespan. All wiring should have been replaced or its not a complete rewire. Contractor sounds lazy


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    #3
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    randomperson01 wrote: »
    At least one of the old main wires in our old house was left intact. The electrician said he tested it and it was fine and there was no need to replace it.

    There are a number of tests and inspections can be applied to a cable to determine if it is fit for purpose. If the cable in question has passed these tests, is undamaged, properly installed and correctly sized then it is compliant with the regulations and is perfectly safe to use. Having said that you paid the electrician to replace it!

    I am working on a plant where some of the cables used are over 40 years old and they perform perfectly. Obviously harsh ambient conditions can have a detrimental impact on cable lifespan. For example I have seen some cables suffering serious damaged from UV exposure in just 6 months.

    Most circuits in domestic installations are wired in T & E (twin and earth cable). Up until quite recently one of the cores in T & E (the earth) was smaller than the other conductors. It is not permitted to install this cable type anymore, thus making the replacement cable superior. Most likely the electrician has left this cable type in situ. It should be noted that this regulation can not be applied retrospectively. Really old cable from the 80s and older will most likely use the older reed and black core colours. These colours are now brown, blue and green/yellow.


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    #4
    kramer1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 305 ✭✭kramer1


    If you paid for a rewire then it should all be new cable, unless leaving it in place was discussed beforehand


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    #5
    Corradobri
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭Corradobri


    Contractor i worked with years ago was notorious for this kind of thing, if it was anyway awkward or time consuming to replace a circuit with new cable he would just pick up the original wiring again .
    Flat roof extensions and porch,s were the usual area,s .As an apprentice at the time I hated doing it but couldn,t do much about it .
    "A rewire with the old wire" as one of the lads used to say!
    It's not really on imo, if you have paid for a rewire that's what you should get unless prior agreement .
    Ask for the test record sheets for your installation and get him to point out the test results for the circuit or part of that was kept in situ .


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