Old Lighting wiring

[Jono Pashley]

Been today to change a light fitting. the cables had been extended by choc blocks and taped up so i put them into a JB removing the choc blocks. now the wiring in the loft is under 300mm+ of council installed insulation the cables 1mm2

T+E appear to be greasy and very easy to break. when it came to turn the power back on none of the lights on that mcb now work so i have to go back tomorrow to look for the problem. Thing that worrys me is the cables being so delicate, so i may end up replacing part of the cable run. Now does anyone have a good way of dealing with the amount of insulation councils put into lofts these days?

Maybe i need more Guiness Drink

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Been today to change a light fitting. the cables had been extended by choc blocks and taped up so i put them into a JB removing the choc blocks. now the wiring in the loft is under 300mm+ of council installed insulation the cables 1mm2T+E appear to be greasy and very easy to break. when it came to turn the power back on none of the lights on that mcb now work so i have to go back tomorrow to look for the problem. Thing that worrys me is the cables being so delicate, so i may end up replacing part of the cable run. Now does anyone have a good way of dealing with the amount of insulation councils put into lofts these days?

Maybe i need more Guiness Drink

Quick answer...

NO

sounds like a bit of a B*****D! :_| :_|

best of luck m8...

Good quality face mask!

 

[sivoodoo]

Continuity and an insulation resistance test would be my first thoughts.

Do you have any results of the tests?

Regards

 

[green-hornet]

The waxiness you describe sounds like a seapage over time of a thing called a plastizisor, its added to plastic to make it supple,that together with an overloaded system plus the heat make the cables brittle. More common in old cables that have not passed the basic tests they have to now perform to.

Continuity and insulation tests are the first things to do, diy electricians some times put all same colour cables together. Most probable cause of your problem would be a nuetral that should be a switch wire ie unmarked I would start at the fitting you have just changed and check the power in ,and the neutral.

I would bring the state of the cables to the owners attention and may be get them to renew that circuit.

 

[Jono Pashley]

Switch wire is in twin red(very surprised at this). On my way to test it again and find the problem now, will update with my latest loft escapades later

Update. Outgoing Live had sheared off at the JB refixed this and everything now works,good continuity, IR is a little on the low side but the wiring is old and has about had it, Advised client that this may be a problem in the future.

 

[a1]

Nice one Jono.

 

[binky]

n. Now does anyone have a good way of dealing with the amount of insulation councils put into lofts these days?

1.5mm cable removes all problems according to NICEIC.

 

[Theorysparky]

1.5mm cable removes all problems according to NICEIC.

even my toothache ?????

:coat

 

[binky]

wrap around tooth, attach to door handle, and slam door shut very hard - that should sort it Pray

 

[Theorysparky]

showing your age !!!!!

 

[seajayess]

1.5mm cable removes all problems according to NICEIC.

This is because with the new installation method ie 100/101/103 installed in an insulated environment the current carrying capacity of cables are reduced so by installing 1.5mm the current carrying capacity is greater than 1.0mm CJS