Alumnium pvc cables

[coxy]

Hi,
Just done a periodioc test on a 1960's house.On the ring main it was part alumnium cables (not tinned copper) and part old 3 wire stranded cable, also the lighting was the same. Got the nic manual but cannot find any reference to alumnium cable ?
Is it safe ? the regs as far as I can see have no current carrying capacities for these cables, so what protective device would you use - the cables look 2.5 & 1.5.
I know these cables were installed around this time due to a copper shortage. It seems that this house was wired with all the left over cables which as far as I am concerned is difficult to code correct.Any ideas welcome !!!

 

[electricAl]

As far as i understand no ali conductors <16mm are permitted

In that case, deffo Code2 - maybe could be argued code 1?

Either way, ripe for rewiring without a doubt.

You`ll be popular

 

[coxy]

Hi Mate Yes I agree but any regs I can quote ??
If all insulation tests ok what then ???

 

[ooh that hertz]

Hi coxy

Just to back up AL, I came across this problem on a periodic once.

Definate case of a rewire I would say, but hard to tell the customer isn't it?

It's the usual case of " CUSTOMER - Well it's worked fine for the past 40-50 years!", but bet your last penny that when you have signed it off, it'll go up in flames!!

Hertz

Do you have an NICEIC technical manual on CD?

That covers a massive amount not specificaly in the red regs.

I would go down the lines of that, aluminium cables for use in domestic premises are no longer recognised by the IEE Wiring Regulations and are deemed to be insufficiant for modern day demands.

One to think about, remember the old way socket circuits were wired, twin cable with a seperate bare earth wire running round everywere, no mention of that in the regs........but you wouldn'lt leave that in!!

Orange Juice lyrics....rip it up and start again.....sorry being silly now