Full house rewire
If you are moving into a property with outdated electrics it is a good time to consider a full house rewire. Not only is it an opportunity to improve the electrical safety of your home, it is also a chance to tailor the setup to meet your specific needs.
Nearly all electrical installations that are more than 30 years old, and have undergone no subsequent additions, will not have enough socket outlets to cope with modern demands. Other additions or changes to consider are: USB sockets; extra lighting and two or three way switching arrangements (for hallways, landings and other rooms where there is more than one point of entry); outside lights and sockets; power to garages and outbuildings; and wiring for television points.
To satisfy the growing demand for internet access on various devices (PCs, smart TVs) ethernet points can be also installed where required. A wired connection is always faster and more reliable than using wi-fi, and is preferred for applications such as online gaming. Mains wired interlinked smoke alarms are also fitted by us as standard practice in any full house rewire.
Other occasions where a full rewire might be necessary include:
- After flood or fire damage
- If the electrical installation has become unsafe
- During an upgrade to the property, for example an extension or conversion
- Before any plastering or decorating work
How do I know if I need a rewire?
Before deciding to have a full rewire it might be worth considering having an inspection carried out on the electrics. These are sometimes referred to as periodic inspections and serve a similar purpose as an MOT does for cars. On completion of this inspection you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will identify any faults or defects which could require improvement.
What is involved?
A full rewire can be a disruptive process and would ideally take place while a property is empty. However this is not always possible and, although more difficult and time consuming, properties can still be rewired while occupied.
Arc Electrical make every effort to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible – see our Customer Promise.
A full house rewire will be split into two stages: First and Second Fix
Upon completion of the work all appropriate certification and notification will be taken care of by us.
Partial House Rewire
It was common for lighting circuits to have no earth in homes built before 1966. Generally these types of circuits are no longer fit for purpose and can sometimes lead to dangerous situations. For example if any Class I light fittings (fittings with metal parts that require an earth) or metal light switches are installed on an unearthed lighting circuit they would become live under fault conditions.
While it is permissible to keep an unearthed lighting circuit in service by replacing all metal light fittings/switches with white plastic equivalents, it should be treated as a last resort. Serious consideration should be given to having a lighting rewire, as new lighting circuits protected by an RCD would substantially increase the electrical safety in your home.
Other occasions where a partial rewire might be required:
- If a new cooker or shower is being installed and the existing circuit is not able to cope with the load demand of the new appliance. In this case a bigger cable would need to be installed from the fuseboard.
- A circuit is found to have a fault and cannot be rectified.
- If any vulcanised rubber insulated (VRI) cabling is discovered. This was phased out in the 1960s but is still found in some properties. The rubber insulation has a limited lifespan and will deteriorate and break away over time leaving live metal parts exposed. Any circuits found to be wired in VRI should be disconnected immediately and rewired as soon as possible.
What is involved?
Before any work can begin, we will conduct a survey on the property.
As with a full rewire, a partial rewire can be a disruptive process, however it is less invasive and there is little reason for anyone to move out of the property during the work. This is especially true when rewiring lights, as some cable will be run through the loft space and new light switch cables can often be fed through existing conduit, thereby reducing the amount of damage to plasterwork.
Arc Electrical make every effort to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible – see our Customer Promise.
A partial house rewire will be split into two stages: First and Second Fix
Upon completion of the work all appropriate certification and notification will be taken care of by us.