A large amount of houses in the UK still have old wiring. This is unsafe and potentially a fire hazard but is also much less cost efficient to modern systems. This may also be affecting the resale value of your home/business premises, the reason being this is highlighted as a big problem during a survey.
How to check if you may need a rewire
One of the first things you should check is the colour of the cables - If you find a black coloured cable entering your consumer unit (also known as "fuse board" or "distribution unit"), This is a sign that the wiring needs checking. Modern electrical cables are either white or grey and are insulated with PVC coating - the old black cables are insulated with rubber, which decays with age. Black rubber coated wires can be up to 40 years old and over time deterioration allows the conductors inside the cables meet. This will make your fuses blow, and if you replace the fuses they will simply blow again. The only solution to this is to have the cable replaced.

10 tell tale signs your home may need a re-wire

1. Does you fuse box have a replaceable fuse wires?
2. Do your plugs or sockets get hot or have scorch marks?
3. Do fuses blow regularly?
4. Do you have to use extension leads and adaptors?
5. Do you have lights that use the old, twisted type of flex?
6. Do you have rubber covered flex?
7. Do you have round pin plugs and sockets?
8. Are your cables missing an earth cable?
9. Do you use electrical equipment outdoors?
10. Has your wiring been checked in the last 10 years?

If you answered yes to any of the above you could require a re-wire.

If your fuse board looks like the one shown below then there's a high chance that it doesn't meet the current regulations and could be dangerous.

1960s Distribution Panel

If your fuse board looks like the one shown below then there's a high chance that it doesn't meet the current regulations and could be dangerous.

bakelite Switch

Old switchgear, like the picture (i.e. bakelite) is also a dead giveaway that the installation may be in need of some upkeep.

Tough Rubber Sheath (TRS)

TRS Wiring Tough Rubber Sheath Wiring was used in the 1960's and compared to today's modern PVC cables, it is very unsafe. If your house or business premises is older than this, and hasn't been re-wired at some point, there may be TRS wiring present in your house. TRS wiring can be extremely dangerous. If you look at the picture you should see why straight away!

The difference between the two cables is distinctive and you should be able to spot old TRS wiring at a glance, TRS cabling can be very dangerous because it is usually present in lighting cables and there is no earth wire. In modern PVC cable there is 3 wires (Brown, Blue and the bare conductor) which includes the all safe earth conductor. In the old TRS cabling if there are any metal light fittings in your property you could be in for a shock as there is no earth this can be potentially fatal.
Usually the best place to check for TRS cabling is in the loft as it's easy to access. But if you don't find them up there they could still be hiding somewhere else! If you are in doute call us to check this for you!