Rewiring

Does your home need rewiring?

As a silent contributor to our daily lives, electricity provides light and warmth, and powers our electrical appliances. However, most of us take electricity in our houses for granted. The cables run inside the walls, and fuse boxes are often hidden away, making it easy to forget that electrical systems do need checking periodically.

Cables, switches, socket-outlets and other accessories deteriorate with use and misuse, and require regular checking. All houses should have their electrical systems checked at least every ten years. There are several signs to look out for that indicate the age of your electrical system and whether your property needs rewiring:

1. Cables coated in black rubber - black rubber was phased out in the 1960's. Cables coated in lead or fabric are even older. Modern cables use PVC insulation.
2. A fusebox with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of circuit boxes.
3. Older round pin sockets and round light switches, braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards.
4. Wall mounted light switches in bathrooms.

If any of these features are present in your house, your wiring system is probably several decades old. Safety in your home is vital.

For further details contact Guernsey Electricity Commercial Contracts Department on 241984.

Guernsey Electricity Ltd would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance given by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting in the production of this consumer leaflet.