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Working life span of twin; and twin & earth cables.

Sparkingchip
We have not had a discussion lately about the anticipated working life span of PVC insulated twin; and twin & earth cables lately.


Given that many installations have PVC insulated twin; and twin & earth cables that are now over fifty five years old if we issue a satisfactory EICR with a recommendation to retest after five years the cable will actually be over sixty years old by the date the retest is due.


How much consideration do you give to putting in writing that you consider that sixty year old will still be okay to use?


 Andy B.
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    mapj1:

    I'm inclined to agree- the enemy of modern plastic cables is overload or damage. In that sense the cable life is often determined by the user,  if extra loads are added, or the cable is painted over with creasote or nailed through or similar. 

    Cables that run cool, away from rodents and UV light may last for several centuries - in practice, like bricks,  for the life of the building. (or until the building is re-purposed)

    Junctions are probably a weaker spot.

    I agree with all of that. Short of rodent damage, cables under floorboards might well last indefinitely. It's the ends that suffer. A requirement to re-wire may be due to poor installation, water ingress, damage to wiring, repurposing of rooms (leading to repositioning of wiring accessories, especially in kitchens), etc.

    Wiring in cars has a shorter life, ... as cars do not last that long.


    Modern cars may not last long, but there are plenty of one hundred year old cars in existence, although granted most will have been substantially if not completely rewired. Come along to a Vintage Sports Car Club event if you want to see some! ?


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  • 0
    mapj1:

    I'm inclined to agree- the enemy of modern plastic cables is overload or damage. In that sense the cable life is often determined by the user,  if extra loads are added, or the cable is painted over with creasote or nailed through or similar. 

    Cables that run cool, away from rodents and UV light may last for several centuries - in practice, like bricks,  for the life of the building. (or until the building is re-purposed)

    Junctions are probably a weaker spot.

    I agree with all of that. Short of rodent damage, cables under floorboards might well last indefinitely. It's the ends that suffer. A requirement to re-wire may be due to poor installation, water ingress, damage to wiring, repurposing of rooms (leading to repositioning of wiring accessories, especially in kitchens), etc.

    Wiring in cars has a shorter life, ... as cars do not last that long.


    Modern cars may not last long, but there are plenty of one hundred year old cars in existence, although granted most will have been substantially if not completely rewired. Come along to a Vintage Sports Car Club event if you want to see some! ?


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