Old Stranded Steel conductors in house wiring.

[Breaker]

Hi.

I visited a clients bungalow today as I am looking for some work to get registered by elecsa.

The client wanted some new sockets fitted and after a quick check I noticed that he has no RCD protection for his ring main or his lighting. I then examined the wiring to find that it is the old steel wiring. I was wondering whether it would be worth conducting a test first or is the property well overdue for a rewire.

Thanks.

 

[monkeyelectric]

No just rewire it don't worry about doing any tests!

 

[ian.settle1]

Think you will find it is tinned copper not steel

 

[telectrix]

as above. try a magnet. if it's tinned coppedr stranded, then it's better cable than the crap we use now. just watch out that it's not aluminium, though.

 

[shocking_eg]

no need to rewire if its all in good condition.

 

[Breaker]

Thanks monkeyelectric.

If the client declines the rewire but still wants the extra sockets, should I refuse to put in any extra sockets unless he has the rewire. The whole lot looks pretty knackered really. He needs a new ccu as well.

 

[Breaker]

Ah tinned copper, thanks guys. I will give it a magnet test.

 

[monkeyelectric]

no need to rewire if its all in good condition.

I could not agree more! Why do people see old cable and without doing any tests write the cable off and suggest a rewire! It may still be serviceable or it may not but a range of tests will confirm instead of ripping people off for no reason

 

[shocking_eg]

Thanks monkeyelectric.

If the client declines the rewire but still wants the extra sockets, should I refuse to put in any extra sockets unless he has the rewire. The whole lot looks pretty knackered really. He needs a new ccu as well.

WTF ???

cant have more sockets without a rewire ??? lmao


just update the circuit that supply the sockets, first test the current circuit to check its servicable then install RCD protection etc..., minor works cert, jobs a gooden

will also want bonding done if not already

just because its old, doesnt make it knackered

 

[monkeyelectric]

Thanks monkeyelectric.

If the client declines the rewire but still wants the extra sockets, should I refuse to put in any extra sockets unless he has the rewire. The whole lot looks pretty knackered really. He needs a new ccu as well.

I was being sarcastic! You need to do tests not just assume its shot and needs rewiring!

 

[shocking_eg]

I could not agree more! Why do people see old cable and without doing any tests write the cable off and suggest a rewire! It may still be serviceable or it may not but a range of tests will confirm instead of ripping people off for no reason

+1, this is sadly very much the norm out there. feel sorry for the customer

 

[telectrix]

just because its old, doesnt make it knackered

told you to stop talking about me . LOL.

 

[shocking_eg]

just because its old, doesnt make it knackered

told you to stop talking about me . LOL.

haha !!!!!

 

[monkeyelectric]

+1, this is sadly very much the norm out there. feel sorry for the customer

I know its like taking your car to the garage for new tyres and the mechanic condeming it and saying it needs a new engine, gearbox, brakes and bodyshell before he can change the tyres, there's a lot of people being ripped off for no reason these days, perhaps i should lose my conscience and join in! This time next year i'll be a millionaire rodders

 

[Breaker]

I agree, thats why I was asking. The last thing I want to do is rip anyone off. :yes:

 

[shocking_eg]

I agree, thats why I was asking. The last thing I want to do is rip anyone off. :yes:

so when did you qualify as a sparks if you dont mind me asking ?

 

[stuartcourt]

Fair play to you breaker, I think you have your answer, the hard way as always here. Do your tests if its good then weave your magic if not then tell them the good/bad news.

 

[monkeyelectric]

I agree, thats why I was asking. The last thing I want to do is rip anyone off. :yes:

But if you're qualified and going to register with Elecsa then you should know that you need to test an installation and not just replace it if it looks old, i think you ideally need a little more experience in existing installations alongside an experienced spark before registering and going on your own

 

[Breaker]

I did my 17th edition last August and the EAL a couple of months back. I am still studying the advanced inspection and testing and Photovoltaics. I am just taking it a step at a time.

 

[Knobhead]

Steel wire?

This has got to me a wind up. No one can be that stupid!

PS, what's the safe working load of this steel wire?

 

[stuartcourt]

I think we have a newbe who is a bit green but wants to do a good job and whats right for his customers, maybe we could try to help just this once.

- - - Updated - - -

But I would get that regs book out my boy

 

[shocking_eg]

Electrical Trainee ? me thinks

 

[Breaker]

Thanks Stuartcourt.

I am taking everything one step at a time. If anything is beyond me I aint touching it. I may be new as an electrician but I want to do it right. I didn't serve an apprenticeship because I wasn't lucky enough back in those days. No ones going to give me an apprenticeship at 47 so I had no other choices open to me.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Steel wire?

This has got to me a wind up. No one can be that stupid!

PS, what's the safe working load of this steel wire?

we could try a load test...
if it will support rick waller....then its a pass....

 

[stuartcourt]

no prob you are in for some stick hope you have thick skin, we do have so many people flooding our trade who dont give a ****, you came across to me a genuine so good luck and stay on forum you will learn alot (the hard way me thinks)

 

[GLENNSPARK]

by the way....whats the earthing arrangements here?

 

[stuartcourt]

we could try a load test...
if it will support rick waller....then its a pass....

no like so a ha ha

 

[Breaker]

no prob you are in for some stick hope you have thick skin, we do have so many people flooding our trade who dont give a ****, you came across to me a genuine so good luck and stay on forum you will learn alot (the hard way me thinks)

Yeah I can take the hard way, I will stick around and annoy everyone it's worth it in the end......Lol.

 

[Breaker]

by the way....whats the earthing arrangements here?

The earthing is TN-S.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

test the install to BS7671....
you wont/cant really say owt else until you have...
a good start would be a quick Ze, and an IR (l-E & N-E)....if permission is granted by the customer....
IR test between the neutrals as well....
if its a board change then better to know now....rather than any nasty surprises later on