Green goo

Sparky5473 · Dec 17, 2019

Hi guys, carried out an eicr yesterday and found green goo present, all IR readings were very acceptable. I’m thinking C3 but what’s your thoughts?

multimick · Dec 17, 2019

no code for me .

Strima · Dec 17, 2019

How bad is it? Throughout the installation or localised?

I’ve found it tends to appear on more heavily loaded terminations.

Marvo · Dec 17, 2019

I think the problem with green goo is that over time dust and crap is going to stick to it which is in turn hygroscopic and will eventually cause a low insulation issue. If it's small amounts of goo and not coming into contact with accessories then probably no problem, if it's running through the insides of switches, sockets or circuit breakers I'd probably be telling the customer they'll eventually need a rewire if the insulation readings start dropping.

Sparky5473 · Dec 17, 2019

It’s at most terminations and just starting to ooze from light switches

MJPD29 · Dec 17, 2019

I wouldn't code it

freddo · Dec 18, 2019

That's all you can do really, recommended to replace any accessories that are gummed up with the stuff though. I've never known it to cause electrical issues, just a sticky mess. Best to wash hands thoroughly after contact with it.

Sparky5473 · Dec 18, 2019

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated

driverman · Dec 20, 2019

Does this type of cable stem from the 60's 70's? It's poor quality made cable, whereby there is a chemical reaction within the cable. I believe a chemical was put in the cable to increase it's current carrying capacity.
It's advisable not to be in direct contact with it with bare hands.

westward10 · Dec 20, 2019

It is the plasticiser which was added to the PVC to make it more flexible. Ambient heat or excessive cable operating temperature causes the plasticiser to migrate and this is the green substance.

Loki · Dec 20, 2019

Got this pdf regarding green goo

1Justin · Dec 22, 2019

I'd give it a C3, that way you get to record it and it's a permanent record on your inspection. Di-isoctyl phthalate is toxic, endocrine disruptor, (- wear gloves). It's worth your customer knowing about it. Saying that I've always measured reliably high IR in all places I've seen this stuff. If anything, the insulation can get a little bit too soft where it extrudes, so might be more vulnerable to sharp metal edges etc (because there are probably no backbox grommets either..)

Welchyboy1 · Dec 25, 2019

Had one the other day, the worst ive ever seen by miles, nearly every switch and socket was like this

Homeowner was convinced it was supernatural ?

Midwest · Dec 25, 2019

That’s a good example where a rewire is definitely required.

Marvo · Dec 26, 2019

Welchyboy1 said:
Had one the other day, the worst ive ever seen by miles, nearly every switch and socket was like this

Homeowner was convinced it was supernatural ?

Yeah I'm with Midwest, if that's what most of the switches and sockets look like I think guiding them towards a rewire would be the best way forward. I wouldn't put the fear of God into them but maybe suggest it's done in sections over time to spread out the cost.

jay sean · Dec 27, 2019

I know a guy who bought a flat and he wanted a test and inspection of the flat.

We found green goo on the insides of the accessories, showed him and printed off the green goo leaflet and the guy went for a rewire as he had not moved in yet.

marconi · Dec 29, 2019

My mum and dad's house has green goo in the FRC. At first I recommended a complete rewire but at 86 and 84 they could not face the upheaval. My dad, a chemist and member of the Royal Society of Chemistry looked into green goo himself and could not be persuaded by me, (member of the IET no less !) to rewire. An impasse. What annoys me about their home's problem is when we visit everything we plug in ends up with contaminated pins which we have to clean before plugging them in at our home.

Which got me wondering if one could use heat shrink to seal the ends of the conductors so that green goo remains contained and does not ooze into accessories. If that 'worked' I could then suggest this and replacement of all sockets. Anyone tried it?

Midwest · Dec 29, 2019

Don’t think that would work, unless you have some sort of ‘boot’ thing. Being a liquid, it would just find it’s way out.

I can see your parents view point, mind.

Marvo · Dec 30, 2019

marconi said:
My mum and dad's house has green goo in the FRC. At first I recommended a complete rewire but at 86 and 84 they could not face the upheaval. My dad, a chemist and member of the Royal Society of Chemistry looked into green goo himself and could not be persuaded by me, (member of the IET no less !) to rewire. An impasse. What annoys me about their home's problem is when we visit everything we plug in ends up with contaminated pins which we have to clean before plugging them in at our home.

Which got me wondering if one could use heat shrink to seal the ends of the conductors so that green goo remains contained and does not ooze into accessories. If that 'worked' I could then suggest this and replacement of all sockets. Anyone tried it?

It's an interesting thought that it could cause premature failure of the plug pin and socket sleeve connections, especially on the higher load appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers that already have a tendancy to burn the plugs and sockets.