Flyfisher
Member
- Messages
- 10,225
- Location
- Norfolk, UK
Thanks for all that.
It's good to know that new and old wiring can coexist (notwithstanding the state of the old wiring). I was pretty sure that was the case but now I can be more assertive when discussing such things with potential contractors.
The good news is that I've subsequently checked the RCD and it seems that it does isolate the entire system. Although there are a number of separate fuse/switch boxes, the RCD has been wired in between the meter and everything else. So I guess that makes the system pretty much OK from a practical safety point of view. This also reassures me that there is no rubber wiring left in the system; I know I can't be 100% sure without more testing/inspection but I don't think any rubber wiring would coexist very well with the RCD.
My point about taking a 'competent persons' course was not so much to learn about the basic wiring issues but, like MdB said, to better understand the testing requirements and be able to certify any work. But if the test kit is going to cost £1000 (plus annual calibration costs I imagine) then this approach seems less attractive - and an independent check/certification is no bad thing really.
I agree that the best thing would be to strip out all the current fuse/switch boxes and install a big new consumer unit with RCBOs. At least this would force me to work out all the various circuits and get everything properly labelled and I'd be sure that everything was safe. Then it should be easier to test/upgrade each circuit as necessary.
Thanks again for all the comments. Very helpful.
It's good to know that new and old wiring can coexist (notwithstanding the state of the old wiring). I was pretty sure that was the case but now I can be more assertive when discussing such things with potential contractors.
The good news is that I've subsequently checked the RCD and it seems that it does isolate the entire system. Although there are a number of separate fuse/switch boxes, the RCD has been wired in between the meter and everything else. So I guess that makes the system pretty much OK from a practical safety point of view. This also reassures me that there is no rubber wiring left in the system; I know I can't be 100% sure without more testing/inspection but I don't think any rubber wiring would coexist very well with the RCD.
My point about taking a 'competent persons' course was not so much to learn about the basic wiring issues but, like MdB said, to better understand the testing requirements and be able to certify any work. But if the test kit is going to cost £1000 (plus annual calibration costs I imagine) then this approach seems less attractive - and an independent check/certification is no bad thing really.
I agree that the best thing would be to strip out all the current fuse/switch boxes and install a big new consumer unit with RCBOs. At least this would force me to work out all the various circuits and get everything properly labelled and I'd be sure that everything was safe. Then it should be easier to test/upgrade each circuit as necessary.
Thanks again for all the comments. Very helpful.