Modern technology has come a long way, as has our understanding of long-lasting materials and safety. We now know that many of the materials used in older homes throughout Wellington and the surrounding regions have not aged well, and should be replaced as soon as possible for better safety.
Rewiring
An older home promises beautiful character and history, but the older wiring that comes with it can be a safety issue, and may even affect your ability to get insurance.
Rewiring your home in Wellington
Rewiring your Wellington home is not a quick DIY task, but it is well worth hiring a qualified electrician to ensure the lasting safety of you, your family, and your property. You may even find it easier to get home insurance, or at least more affordable insurance, with modern wiring.
One possible issue with older homes is the use of VIR, or Vulcan Indianised Rubber. This material was once used to coat copper wires, then wrapped in fabric and run through a steel conduit. Unfortunately, this rubber dries out and becomes brittle as it is exposed to oxygen, which is why we have to replace any instances of VIR that we find.
A more common issue is that of old TRS – Tough Rubber Sheath – cabling. This became the standard in the late 40s, and used a thin rubber sheath as insulation protection without a conduit. This material was phased out in the 1960s, as it faced the same issues with the rubber drying out as the VIR.
Homes built in the 1960s began using TPS – Thermoplastic Sheathing – which doesn’t deteriorate like rubber, but also may not be able to deal with the energy requirements of modern appliances and homes today.
If you suspect you have any TRS or VIR in your property it would be best to get it replaced as soon as possible. The risks are quite high when ignored, from blowing the fuses or circuit protection and loss of power to worst case starting fires, it’s best not left up to chance.
Choose Lite Energy to rewire your Wellington home
Lite Energy is your local electrician, and we’re highly experienced and qualified when it comes to rewiring Wellington homes. We can inspect your wiring to ascertain whether your home needs this service, or could benefit from a modern wiring system.
Call us on 0800 LITE NRG (548 3674), or get in touch through our contact page for a no-obligation quote.
