Wiring for light. How old?

modelreject

Hi,

Would it be possible for you to guess how old the wiring in my house is by looking at this photo and would the electrics need updated?

http://img.skitch.com/20101120-bbqwaxc3kg6h827sjk8tcr851u.jpg

Any help welcomed.

Thanks,
C

zax47

No, I'm an electrician not a psychic! Give us a pic of your consumer unit & supply head pls.

modelreject

Sorry. Totally new to all this.

The consumer unit is a Memera 2000 - http://img.skitch.com/20101120-muj9g3mxxx7jm5gpau5bw2tni5.jpg

The other pics are all I have. Think it's a mix of old and new electrics. I did get told that Norther Ireland Electricity would replace the meter for free.

http://img.skitch.com/20101120-muj9g3mxxx7jm5gpau5bw2tni5.jpg
http://img.skitch.com/20101120-muj9g3mxxx7jm5gpau5bw2tni5.jpg
http://img.skitch.com/20101120-bmjxcnd1wmt8k23s6g2sbawfa4.jpg

I will get a few quotes from electricians but want to get some impartial advice here as I am low on cash and want to keep costs low and avoid as little disruption to our house.

Many thanks for your help.

phill99

What is it you actually want?

zax47

{do you know you've posted the same pic 3 times?}

It's PVC twin & earth by the look of it, so not ancient. Circuit Breakers, not fuses, so again not ancient. Any VIR (Vulcanised India Rubber) or lead covered cables would need replacing.

Best bet is to get a PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) done, by a suitably qualified and registered electrician, for £125-£150 it should tell you the exact state of your installation. Your installation should ideally have such a check-over every 10 years or so.

It does beg the question, is something actually wrong? Why spend money when you probably don't have to.

modelreject

Apologies again for not explaining well. I get this ideas into my head and just post threads.

I have moved into a 1930's house. We just got the normal survey of which the surveyor said the electrics were mixed but there is nothing to worry about. Nothing has happened yet.

The thing is, we will be replastering and doing some rennovations and it would be best to get the house rewired first so we don't have to destroy our hopefully lovely work down the line.

I was also asking if you saw anything of a major issue just in case I got a guy out and he said point blank that the whole house needs rewired. I think from what you have said and from what I see that's not the case but we would like to somewhat future proof it.

Thanks again!

phill99

Your Consumer Unit looks the same as mine. I have no intention of a rewire. it trips out if something hap[pens, so is safe in my estimation. Just because it is not the current model doesn't mean it is dangerous, illegal or in need of an upgrade.

ormus

looks pretty standard 1970s wiring to me. millions of homes have the same thing.
probably the vast majority of uk homes are the same.

27col

Don't bother to rewire, tidy up a bit and maybe fit some new switches and sockets if required. Then spend some of the money saved on a decent camera

modelreject

lol. Very funny. It was taken with an iPhone and the electrics are under the stairs. My plan would be to invest in other areas of the house and if I can get away without doing the electrics that would be great.

macman

On the other hand, if you are going to do it within a few years, you'll end up ruining your decorations and having a lot of disruption then. Much easier to rewire before than after!