Hello all,

When I was writing the new  ”The Part P Doctor” book, the project, as you know, revolved around the actual rewire of an old house.  The house in question was a large early 1930’s detached home.  It had been rewired in the past but as I was doing more work I stripped out these little gems to show you…...Lead, VIR and TRS Don’t worry if this is all double dutch, just carry on reading!

Starting at the top you can see lead covered twin cabling.  This went out of use in the 1940’s.  It consists of copper wire covered with tin, then rubber and finally a lead sheath.  This sheath was used as a cpc. Lead oxidizes very quickly, going black. However, I have scrapped a nice shiny bit for you in the picture.

Next down is old steel conduit with single wires fitted.  This was very popular in the 1930’s and 40’s.  The conduit is the cpc. The wires are called “Vulcanised Indian Rubber” wires.  Here, we have again tinned copper wires, rubber covered and topped off with a cloth tape or covering. Again, I have unwound a little of this to show you.

The last one is later again, perhaps up to the end of the 50’s.  It is called TRS which stands for “Tough Rubber Sheathed”.  Again, the wires are tinned copper but the cable is the same as you use today except you now use PVC instead of rubber.

I don’t know why they tinned the copper then but it must have had something to do with a reaction between copper and rubber.  All these old wiring systems had definite life spans for sure.  Th old rubber dries and crumbles away and insulation faults result!  My advice is to not touch anything that looks like this.  If you do disturb it and it all crumbles before your eyes, don’t say I didn’t warn you!  Finally, if you are just passing by this site and not an electrical person, do look out for this stuff in your home.  If you find it, please, please call out an electrician.  I am sure there are still many thousands of miles of this stuff lurking around out there!

The final question from customers and students alike is, “How long does PVC wiring last?”  Well, having worked in houses recently, built in the early 60’s I would say “forever!”  Remember the only thing that can kill PVC wiring is heat from bad connections or general overloading.

Bye for now……

Hello all!

I was wandering around the net recently and came across this little gem! When a trainee is coming to the end of his apprentiship he has to do a final trade test called “AM2″
A trainer I work for had the idea of a mobile test centre and here it is…… continue

Good evening all,
I was installing some “dado trunking” in an office recently and came across the dreaded ” not a 90 degree bend” scenario. You know how it works, they pre make 90 degree internal, external and flat bends but alas not say 135 degree ones! After I fitted the trunking, I set about trying to piece up the lid and that was when the fun started! Basically, it looked appalling!
So, it was time to think about it and then I had that eureka moment…..Here is how I did it.

I used a bit of geometry and eventually ended up here continue

Good evening everyone,
I am pleased to announce that in the words of Neil Armstrong, “The eagle has landed” and we are ready to take orders.
I have felt like an expectant father through all this and am so relieved that our labours have come to fruition.
A big thanks to all the contributors and sympathisers

Hello All,

Things have been hectic this last couple of weeks.  I have been mad busy with the intrepid Dave Gee finally getting the “Part P Doctor 2nd fix” to a finished state.   They say in show business, you should never work with children, animals or family (or something like that!)

For my sins, I went to Ireland last week to wire up my sisters new house/ mansion…….This is it from a distance….

It is set in the heart of the Irish countryside in 6 acres of land.  It was a visit to first fix and I had a lift from my sister Polly and her fella Mick.  I put in 800m of cable fully clipped in 3 1/2 days, truly exhausting!  It does not look that big in the photo, but trust me, it comes in at over 2,500 square feet so compares well to my 800 square foot town house in my slum!

My knees are killing me here!

There are lots of differences between UK and Irish install but so far I have established……

Wiring to points cannot be plastered in but must be in conduit

Wiring to switches cannot be sleeved for identification, you have to use single and twin browns everywhere

You have to install your own earth rod, no matter what the supply delivery

The main switch must be single pole, so no neutral switching allowed

No main bond to, water or gas. They run one into what they call the “hot press” . That’s a cylinder cupboard in old money!

I am sure there others that I have forgotten but I will post when we get to 2nd fix stage.

Bye for now!

Alan

As you may  know, I have been a “have tools, will travel” sparkie for most of my career.  I was clearing out a wardrobe the other day and uncovered this old picture.

It was August ‘98 and I was working on accommodation  blocks on an oil base in North Africa.
As I find more of these pics, I will post them, but for now……

The sweaty motley crew from left to right are…..

Kev – a plumber I think, perhaps from Oldham

Paul- a sparkie from Tyneside way

Ian- another sparkie from Manchester

Martin- a joiner from York way

Me!

Dominic- a plumber from Oldham

I would like to make contact with these guy again to see where they ended up- can you help?

Hi all,

Last week, my life took another turn…..

Last year the contracting outfit I worked for went pop in October. The training business attached to it closed the following March.  I had drifted away from these businesses last June as the writing was on the wall in my opinion.  Anyhow I have been busy since but went quiet this June. I then mailed one of my employers that I used to work for years ago ( yep, on the millenium dome, that long ago!) and asked if he had any work for an old sparkie.  To my pleasant  surprise, he welcomed me back and last week was spent in Manchester city centre installing dado trunking and  doing some minor works in offices.

The company is a young, competent and  forward looking outfit, and though they do not have a website, I put a link on for you…

Oh, how the mighty fall!