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Rewiring

  • 04-08-2020 12:02am
    #1
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭


    I’m looking at buying a large bungalow built around 1970. I haven’t looked at the wiring in much detail yet. The sockets look ok, modern enough but the fuse board is definitely old school fuses. The house hasn’t been lived in, in 5 years. What is needed to get the power back on if I purchase? Is a total rewire needed for a system 45 years old? I’m guessing that at least the board needs changing.


Comments

  • #2
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    IThe sockets look ok, modern enough

    Means nothing.
    Is a total rewire needed for a system 45 years old?

    Yes


  • #3
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    2011 wrote: »
    Means nothing.



    Yes

    Ok thanks.
    The newer cable is slightly larger due to the earth being sleeved. Does this mean the old conduits can’t be used?


  • #4
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    Ok thanks.
    The newer cable is slightly larger due to the earth being sleeved. Does this mean the old conduits can’t be used?

    Impossible to say for sure but you any be ok as the new cables are marginally larger.


  • #5
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    2011 wrote: »
    Impossible to say for sure but you any be ok as the new cables are marginally larger.

    Sorry is there a typo in there?


  • #6
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    Sorry is there a typo in there?

    Yes :) It should read:

    Impossible to say for sure, but you may be ok as the new cables are only marginally larger.

    My eyesight isn’t what I was and I keep mistyping on my phone!


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  • #7
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    2011 wrote: »
    Yes :) It should read:

    Impossible to say for sure, but you may be ok as the new cables are only marginally larger.

    My eyesight isn’t what I was and I keep mistyping on my phone!

    Thanks for your help. It’d be a total sickener to rechase a house when there’s already conduit in the walls


  • #8
    gk5000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 873 ✭✭✭gk5000


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    Thanks for your help. It’d be a total sickener to rechase a house when there’s already conduit in the walls
    You could have difficulty if its oval conduit especially for the 2.5 sq socket circuits. 2 cables barely fit in a 20 mm round conduit.

    I don't know how professionals manage it.


  • #9
    astrofool
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,166 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    Is there definitely conduits there already?


  • #10
    punisher5112
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,644 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    gk5000 wrote: »
    You could have difficulty if its oval conduit especially for the 2.5 sq socket circuits. 2 cables barely fit in a 20 mm round conduit.

    I don't know how professionals manage it.

    Fairy liquid or worst case for me butter as it was a big fear of mine and the smell.... Ugh...


  • #11
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    astrofool wrote: »
    Is there definitely conduits there already?

    Good point. I ‘assume’ there is. Were conduits Used in the 70’s?


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  • #12
    maestroamado
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,425 ✭✭✭maestroamado


    If the power off you need get reliable electrician have a look.
    there is no way modern trips work with 1970 wiring as in olds days earths could be left hanging.
    Saying that it is possible but may be cheaper to rewire...


  • #13
    3d4life
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 923 ✭✭✭3d4life


    maestroamado wrote: »
    .... in olds days earths could be left hanging...


    and cables sometimes 'contained' using long grooved lengths of timber. - Some here must have seen this.


    When did PVC conduit become 'the thing' ?


  • #14
    astrofool
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,166 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    It's doubtful any conduits were used in the build, they didn't come into more widespread use till the late 90's/00's.


  • #15
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    astrofool wrote: »
    It's doubtful any conduits were used in the build, they didn't come into more widespread use till the late 90's/00's.

    Not my experience.
    I found conduits used more often than not in far older houses.


  • #16
    Risteard81
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,567 ✭✭✭Risteard81


    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Fairy liquid or worst case for me butter as it was a big fear of mine and the smell.... Ugh...
    Yellow 77 might be more appropriate.


  • #17
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Risteard81 wrote: »
    Yellow 77 might be more appropriate.

    What’s that?


  • #18
    Tuco88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭Tuco88


    Talcum powder is another.


  • #19
    Risteard81
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,567 ✭✭✭Risteard81


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    What’s that?
    It's a lubricant specifically designed for pulling cables through conduits. Made by Ideal Industries.


  • #20
    YellowBucket
    Closed Accounts Posts: 491 ✭✭YellowBucket


    2011 wrote: »
    Not my experience.
    I found conduits used more often than not in far older houses.

    Very old wiring often used far better conduit than you’d specify nowadays. I’ve seen old installations with metal conduit that looked more or less like plumbing and carried cloth insulated singles.

    They were much more concerned about fire risk from deteriorating cable or rodent damage in the very old days because of the materials used for insulation.

    Post 1970s PVC insulated cables and wires led to much less focus on that.

    There were also very loose regulations and the rules seem to to have varied depending on the contractor. Some old installations are extremely high spec, others are borderline dangerous and sloppy.

    It’s hard to just say an installation is bad or good just based on the era it was carried out, particularly when you consider the regulation regime was very laissez faire.


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