Can I use old cloth-covered electrical cable if the socket still has power to it – Advice from Electriman, North London Electricians

Finding cloth-covered wiring in your home can be alarming, but understanding what it means will help you make the right decisions. Here is what you need to know.

What cloth-covered cable actually is. This type of wiring was common in UK homes built or wired before the 1960s. It typically consists of rubber-insulated conductors wrapped in a woven cotton or jute braid. Some older installations used a lead sheath instead of the outer braid. It was the standard of its time, but that time has long passed.

Why having power to the socket changes nothing about safety. A socket can deliver electricity perfectly well while the wiring feeding it is in a dangerously degraded state. The rubber insulation beneath the cloth braid dries out and becomes brittle over decades. It can crack and crumble, sometimes simply by being touched. When insulation fails, live conductors can come into contact with earthed metalwork or other conductors, causing short circuits, overheating, and fires. The socket working tells you nothing about the condition of the cable hidden behind your walls.

What you might notice if the wiring is deteriorating. You may see brown or black discolouration around sockets and switches. Plugs or sockets may feel warm to the touch. You might notice a faint burning smell with no obvious cause. Fuses may blow repeatedly without explanation. Circuit breakers or fuses may trip with only a light load connected.

What you should do

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Electriman covers Mill Hill, Barnet, Finchley, Edgware, Enfield, Watford and surrounding areas. All work is Part P certified and fully insured.