Old cable

[Steady]

Does anyone know roughly how long ago they stopped fitting twisted strand (grey pvc sheathed) cable for ring mains? Just trying to estimate age of some wiring.

 

[Belt and braces]

Wouldn't like to say exactly, but as a rule if I don't know the age of it (obviously pretty old though) rip it out and replace with nice new cable, just to be on the safe side.

 

[jj4091]

Does anyone know roughly how long ago they stopped fitting twisted strand (grey pvc sheathed) cable for ring mains? Just trying to estimate age of some wiring.

has it been done in 4mm? It may not be that old.

 

[RF Lighting]

If it is the standed stuff with tinned copper conductors then IIRC it was around the mid seventies.

Like jj4091 said, if the cable is 4.0mm² or above then it is still stranded today, (as is conduit singles)

 

[securespark]

The best way to try & id the cable age is to look on the sheath & copy down what is embossed there. The manufacturer or markings may give a clue as to the age.

Also, imperial cable is usually tinned.

 

[Steady]

Thanks for replies. It is 2.5mm. It's at least 12 yrs old as that's how long current owners have had the house. Just trying to advise them over need for rewire.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Maybe the Part P document has some uses after all. Theres a section in there about older wiring practises. I gives a clue.

Quote:
Up until the beginning of the 1970s, cables
could still be purchased having imperial, rather
than metric, sized conductors. Many such
cables are still to be found in older installations.
Their conductors may be single-stranded (as in
1/.044) or may have three, seven or more
strands (as in 3/.029, 7/.029 and 19/.044).

May be helpful?

TTC