what to look for
Cables in your home are usually run inside the walls and under floors, and fuse boxes are often hidden away, making it easy to forget that for safety and peace of mind your electrical systems do need checking for safety and to make sure they function as they should. Cables, switches, socket-outlets, and other accessories deteriorate overtime with use and even misuse. There are several signs to look out for that indicates the age of your electrical system and suggest that it may need some repair or testing:
- Cables coated in black rubber - black rubber was phased out in the 1960's.
- Cables coated in lead or fabric are even older. Modern cables use PVC insulation.
- A fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of circuit boxes.
- No RCD protection.
- Old re-wireable fuses.
- Older round pin sockets and round light switches, braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, or sockets mounted in skirting boards.
- Wall mounted light switches in bathrooms.