Does wiring need to be re-checked?

A

Ash 22

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Just wondering if house wiring should be re-checked? Our house is built about 24 years now, we don't have any problems but is it necessary to get it checked at some stage? Also if there is any electrical problem my hubby says trip switch will go off straight away, is that so?
 
My house is about the same, 24yrs and I'm quite happy to soldier on. Switches have tripped on occassions and I have always indentified the cause....though sometimes a switch may trip for no apparent reason and re-setting it is all thats required.

Modern wiring like ours will last for yonks.

You could if you wish get a spark to check the continunity of the circuits.
 
Ash 22 said:
my hubby says trip switch will go off straight away, is that so?
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Your wiring should be OK if it has not given many problems at this stage. To say that any trip switch will operate if something goes wrong is not the case, this can depend on so many different factors. If your in doubt about your electrics call a local registerd electrician do run a few tests, better safe than sorry.
 

Don't be freightening the poor girl now .....we all know there is no such thing as 100% security with anything...but by enlarge these trips switches in domestic situations anyway.. does what it says on the tin.

@Ash you could test the RCD unit on the fuseboard if you like by pressing the test button and see if it trips out. If it does trip out this will cut all power to your socket circuits and means it is working perfectly. In that case just flick it up again.

This is a secondary/over riding back up to your individual circuit breakers.
 
pudds said:
This is a secondary/over riding back up to your individual circuit breakers.
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Sorry to disagree with you Pudds but an RCD/ELCB is NOT anything like "a secondary/over riding backup" to an MCB.
The former trips on current leakage while the latter trips on current overload.
Two totally different conditions and types of protection.


pudds said:
You could if you wish get a spark to check the continunity of the circuits.
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It is the insulation of the individual circuits that need to be checked and not the continuity
 
Just happen to be talking to an electrician last night and he reckon if theres no problem everything is going ok and there should be no need to check.
 


I stand corrected..you are indeed perfectly correct. I've known the RCD better as the old earth leakeage circuit breaker ELCB

It is the insulation of the individual circuits that need to be checked and not the continuity
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Admit I'm a bit lossed here....but help appreciated. Can the use of a multi meter determine the physical condition of the insulation along a run of cable. If so is it something to do with the current input and the value of its return.
 
pudds said:
Admit I'm a bit lossed here....but help appreciated. Can the use of a multi meter determine the physical condition of the insulation along a run of cable. If so is it something to do with the current input and the value of its return.
Click to expand...

No Pudds a multimeter will not determine the condition of the insulation. A meter (Megometer) known generally as "A Megger" is used. This uses a voltage of about 500V DC to test for insulation breakdown between conductors. An ideal reading being infinity.
 

thats very interesting indeed. Thanks SparkRite.
 
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