Will 70 years old wiring impede performance of LED lighting fixtures?

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rlazebnik

Member
Location
chicago IL
We are working on the retrofit of existing facility lighting. New lighting fixtures will be LED but owner wishes to retain existing wiring. The existing wiring is about 70 years old. The conductors have rubber insulation. The facility environment is very harsh, with chlorine used for water purification regularly, high humidity, no air conditioning or heating in the space. Does anybody had experience or read any kind of research that could help us to justify the replacement of existing wiring with new?
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
Speculation is far from adequate justification in most cases. The industry accepted criteria is a an insulation integrity test (aka meggering). Initial readings of a megger can provide a "not good" determination out of the gate, but a true "good" determination requires a complete test.
 

Electric-Light

Senior Member
We are working on the retrofit of existing facility lighting. New lighting fixtures will be LED but owner wishes to retain existing wiring. The existing wiring is about 70 years old. The conductors have rubber insulation. The facility environment is very harsh, with chlorine used for water purification regularly, high humidity, no air conditioning or heating in the space. Does anybody had experience or read any kind of research that could help us to justify the replacement of existing wiring with new?
The practical consideration is that the insulation can crumble away on something that old if they're handled at all and you'll be the last one to touch it if there are problems. Are they fixtures selected by the customer or is the use of decorative light emitters mandated by customer specifications?

Them LEDs are very delicate. Chlorine gas is highly reactive and it will attack practically all optical materials except for glass. If the fixture is hermetically sealed, there's a serious concern that LEDs can cook from its own B.O. www.cree.com/xlamp_app_notes/chemical_compatibility
 
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