How to tell when the last time your house was rewired?

Hey Guys,

As the title thread states, how do i find out if the house has been rewired in the last 25 years?

Insurer wont provide us cover if we cant provide this information.

any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

Have a good look at the meter box. Should have modern circuit breakers and a saftey switch rather than the older style ceramic fuses at the very least.

 

How old is the house?

 

house is pre world war 2 and the switchboard needs to be replaced.

Thanks Peter, I will take a look and provide an update.

 

If it has old cotton covered wiring or the rubber stuff (black) it has not been re wired. It is dangerous too.

Your electrician will be able to tell you, if it is TPS then it is the same 30 years ago to today.

 

Try another insurer!

Seriously, though - your electrician will be able to tell you.

 

yes how dare they, go another insurer

however if the house has not been rewired still original cotton cover I would get an electrician out and I would rewire, this would be a priority for me

 

As most have said,look at the power box first,then just have a look to see if there are any dates marked into the wiring most modern cables are ,if it's the old black type,then you would need a full re-wire,but this is the first time i have ever heard of anyone being asked for a age of the elecs systems..imho..

 

Modern cables have the date of manufacture (though not installation) printed on them.

 

I had been. One insurer asked if the plumbing or wiring was done in the last 30 odd years

 

Some of the imported stuff from China was rubbish too.

The older TPS won't be an issue and could easily be way over 30, I think they are looking for cotton or rubber covered.

What insurer ? It must only come up once you indicate a build date.

 

An electrician will be able to give you a ball park figure, probably only cost you $80-$100 for a scoping report. An indication would be to look in the switchboard, new items are smart meters, RCD devices, 6mm earths on water pipes, earth stake next to the switchboard.

- Vulcanised indian rubber - known as cotton wire - extreme fire hazard, extreme electric shock risk from the breakdown of insulation through steel conduits. Older than Moses.
- TPS with bare earth - approximately late 80's through early 90's.
- TPS with insulated earth - mid to late 90's through now