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How to tell if a property has been re-wired?
Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.36 PM
I recently viewed a property that I want to buy. Generally the property needs some modernisation, although I can't tell if it's already been rewired. Here are some of the things I've seen: In some places you can see the plaster was chased leading to a light switch and socket. All the wires coming to the electrical box are grey. There is a Talexus ACE9000 KBD meter installed. Any help to determine if it's been rewired at a glance, would be much appreciated.
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2 Answers
DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Rating: 5 out of 5
Can’t tell ‘ at a glance’ be better to have an EICR done on the installation. The meter has nothing to do with it as this is the suppliers ( DNO ) property.
Answered27 March 2018
2
PRECISION: Improvement and Maintenance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hello,
To be sure you will need a qualified electrician to check it out. But the main things to look "at a glance" would be:
- Consumer unit - If it has RCD trip switches it will have been installed fairly recently. If it has fuses which are pulled out or with fuse wire, it is a safe bet that there will be more re-wiring needed across the house.
- Wire colours - If you can see any wiring to sockets etc (take care!), modern wires are Brown, Blue and Green/Yellow. Old ones are Red, Black and Green. However bear in mind that plastic wires with the old colour are perfectly usable if in good condition (unlike old rubber coated wires).
- Check on the Consumer Unit for evidence of stickers indicating if a test has been carried out (i.e. if the property is tenanted).
Remember that alot of old wiring is still perfectly safe - a qualified electrician can advise accordingly.
Answered27 March 2018
1