Electrical wiring can last decades if well maintained, however there will come a time when the electrical wiring within your home needs to be replaced.
This also applies to the fusebox – older fuseboxes should be replaced with the modern equivalent, the consumer unit.
Symptoms of a faulty fusebox
The following symptoms indicate strongly that an upgrade is required, please look out for:
- Flickering or dim lights.
- Minor shocks or a tingling sensation when touching sockets, switches, or appliances.
- A continuous burning smell.
- Discoloured sockets & switches.
- Green goo leaks.
- Frequent tripping & more.
If you spot any of these symptoms, your fusebox could potentially be dangerous and an upgrade should be arranged as soon as possible. Is your home based in Aylesbury? Have you just moved into an older property in Aylesbury? Get in touch with Inlight Electrical– our expert electricians specialise in fusebox upgrades providing a high-quality installation with safety in mind.
Electrics – how old is too old?
Over the years, newer, safer, and more efficient installation methods have been introduced. This also means newer regulations have been established. Homes with old, outdated electrics will no longer be compliant with current electrical wiring regulations – to avoid an unsafe home, upgrades are necessary to bring your home inline with current electrical safety standards. But how old is too old? Well, put simply if your home is older than 25 years, and the electrical system has never been updated, it’s likely some parts, if not all will need to be replaced. Now although it might not be dangerous in this exact moment, adding new installations to an already over stressed electrical system should be avoided. Furthermore, there are some tell tale signs which can indicate how old your electrical system really is, we establish this by analysing which materials have been used and relate this back to what year those materials were in common use:
- 1950s: Vulcanised Indian Rubber (VIR). VIR or VRI can still be found in electrical installations in older homes across the UK. The waxy cotton material that covers the electrical wiring over time becomes brittle and should be replaced asap.
- 1960s: Rubber Sheath. One of the first types of wiring to feature an earth wire, rubber sheath is still commonly found in many homes across the county. Again the rubber can become brittle and even perish entirely – because of this, if you still have this type of wiring, it’s likely an upgrade will be required.
- 1970s & 80s: Grey & white PVC. PVC can last decades but if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, your electrics could potentially be dangerous. PVC wiring can deteriorate just as other types.
- 2004: Modern PVC. Modern PVC, if properly maintained may still be safe. The electrical system may still be lacking modern day safety devices like RCDs so be sure to double check this with a qualified electrician.
- Present day: Today we use non-metallic wiring which is complaint with current electrical safety standards. New electrical wiring is installed with additional safety devices proving you with extra protection in the event of an electrical fault.
Electrical upgrades in Aylesbury
If you’re experiencing system faults, your wiring might just be too old. An outdated electrical system can be extremely dangerous and an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) should be arranged as soon as possible. Contact your local electrician in Aylesbury today.
