wiring question

[Newby2]

Hi

Due to a tripping switch problem a British gas engineer (I have a homecare contract) came over and disconnected a socket, a lamp, and pond switch all in the back garden. He said the wires in these are too thin, and are potential fire hazards.

While I guess these things in the garden may have been installed by the previous owner some time after they moved into the house, my question is, would the wiring INSIDE the house be up to the current standard (my house was built in 1992)?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[smitch83]

first off have you got an installation certificate for the work done in 1992?
a lot has changed since 1992 with a new 17th edition iee wiring regulations (bs7671) produced and electricians have had to do 17th edition training to prove they are aware of these changes, i wouldn't think your property will be up to current standards, saying that though it does not mean your installation is not safe! as it (hopefully) was installed to the current regulations at the time,
if you are worried about the condition of your installation you can get in contact with a qualified and approved electrician to complete a P.I.R (periodic inspection report) he will come round and test a section (if not all) of your installation and give you a report on its condition pointing out any dangerous findings and make you aware of anything not up to standard, these cost on average £150 depending on the size of your house and if you have another fusebox in your shed or garage ect. Then if required he can give you a quote on putting these items correct (or you can ask another electrician if you think his quote is a bit pricey) try to make sure he is an approved electrician and is a member to either niceic or napit or simular approved company.

As for british gas man disconnecting your external supply he could have fused these down if the cable was not big enough to take the original load,
just a question was the tripping happening when you was pluging something in or turning the lamp or pond pump on? or was it just every now and then with no reference to turning an appliance on?
do you know (or did he mention) the trip (fuse) size and size of cable?

if it was just now and then it would proberly be due to water ingress in the socket/lamp or connection for the pump and instead of investigating properly he just removed the whole circuit.....

hope this helps for now

 

[JohnD]

would the wiring INSIDE the house be up to the current standard (my house was built in 1992)?

It is very unlikely to be up to current standards, unless some skilled electrician has updated it since it was built

Additionally, we do not know if it was installed skillfully and correctly to the 1992 standards when it was built, and we do not know if it has had poor-quality alterations and extensions carried out since then.

You can get a good local electrician, who is a member of a Competent Persons Scheme, to carry out inspection and test and give you a written Periodic Inspection Report and advise you. You should expect to pay for half a day's work or so. Anyone who offers to do it free is expecting to make up his revenue by charging for repairs and alterations, which might or might not be charged at a fair price.

edits - oops, sorry, much of this is already answered