Just like my place wired in the mid 80's
1950s electrics
- Thread starter Steve
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Just like my place wired in the mid 80's
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I read it that the big box was with the newer 2000s wiring, rightly or wrongly.
I read it that when they replaced the old VIR with PVC they just replicated all the runs and left the "big box" in place. If you didn't want to change anything during the rewire, why not?
In reply to the original question regarding PVC beying installed at the same time as VIR, then further to sparkwrights reply, yes, this did happen and is likely around very early 1960s installs. Seen one building where the cabling in the walls was PVC, but link wires on the back of switches between common terminals, etc where offcuts of VIR. Obviously the chap doing the second fixing either prefered it, or was using up offcuts from the bottom of his toolbag! Also seen VIR insulated cores in a PVC oversheath.
But.... looking at the photographs, the wiring looks later than this, it looks solid solid cores in the picture? Pre 1970 when cables were imperial, any conductor larger than 1/.044 (0.97mm) was stranded. On rings both the L&N and the earth would have been stranded. Earth on the ring circuits would have had three strands, the L & N seven. Even lighting would probably have been stranded, likely it would have been in 3/.029 (1.3mm) and would have had three strands, earth though (if present would just be one). Others will probably correct me, but I think twin 1/.044 may have been available for lighting? but not widely used.
If its solid cores on the ring, then look at the cpc. if its 1mm, it was installed in the 1970s, if it is 1.5 then after 1980 (anywhere upto 2004 when the red and black colours ceased being available).
The fixing through a loop of scrap cable was pretty common as an poor mans alterative / older alternative to punched banding strap, but is used a little less these days, because the big advantage of the banding is that it will remain in place in a fire so can be used to support cables in fire escape routes
But.... looking at the photographs, the wiring looks later than this, it looks solid solid cores in the picture? Pre 1970 when cables were imperial, any conductor larger than 1/.044 (0.97mm) was stranded. On rings both the L&N and the earth would have been stranded. Earth on the ring circuits would have had three strands, the L & N seven. Even lighting would probably have been stranded, likely it would have been in 3/.029 (1.3mm) and would have had three strands, earth though (if present would just be one). Others will probably correct me, but I think twin 1/.044 may have been available for lighting? but not widely used.
If its solid cores on the ring, then look at the cpc. if its 1mm, it was installed in the 1970s, if it is 1.5 then after 1980 (anywhere upto 2004 when the red and black colours ceased being available).
The fixing through a loop of scrap cable was pretty common as an poor mans alterative / older alternative to punched banding strap, but is used a little less these days, because the big advantage of the banding is that it will remain in place in a fire so can be used to support cables in fire escape routes
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Indeed, you were correct. Just a plastic Wylex box I seem to recall, with a length of 5amp choc block inside.
Ah - my assumption that it was an old Octopus left there to connect the new cables was wrong.
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Stranded conductors does not necessarily mean imperial.
Before PVC, there were other plastic insulated and sheathed cables. Ashathene, from memory.
It looked like pvc, plasticky and grey sheath, but it was not as flexible as PVC.
Before PVC, there were other plastic insulated and sheathed cables. Ashathene, from memory.
It looked like pvc, plasticky and grey sheath, but it was not as flexible as PVC.
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My 1958 house was wired in Ashathene (type of plastic cable, looks like T+E) and short length of it have been found in the garden to be in excellent condition.
Block walls 3" thick internally on floorboards but have been toothed to the inner leaf. I guess the boards were put down before the upper storey was built.
Block walls 3" thick internally on floorboards but have been toothed to the inner leaf. I guess the boards were put down before the upper storey was built.
Ashathene. Couldn't think what the early PVC type cable was called.
Often this early PVC type cable would have a silver sheath.
Often this early PVC type cable would have a silver sheath.
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