Corrosion on the Greenfield supplying service main

[lbeachmike]

Hi there -

If there is this much corrosion on the exterior of this Greenfield cable, is it expected that the conductor inside would be corroded as well? Is there any practical means to test or otherwise examine its integrity to determine if it requires immediate replacement?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[ptonsparky]

Hi there -
If there is this much corrosion on the exterior of this Greenfield cable, is it expected that the conductor inside would be corroded as well? Is there any practical means to test or otherwise examine its integrity to determine if it requires immediate replacement?

Thanks.

Mike

View attachment 16046

No, rust does not mean the conductor is damaged. Yet. You are worried and it LLS from here. Get your electrician onsite and have it evaluated.

 

[lbeachmike]

Thanks for your response. I am worried about it because the first electrician that looked at it thought it was a significant concern. He said the service should be replaced in the near-term. However, the second electrician that looked at it seemed to be far less concerned.

The house is a 100 year old house, recently purchased, and a lot of electrical problems have been uncovered which will amount to significant over-budget expense. I am trying to prioritize items accordingly to get the house to a level where I am comfortable with its safety.

Other than simply looking at the condition of the jacket, is there any more scientific way to assess what is going on inside?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[ptonsparky]

Thanks for your response. I am worried about it because the first electrician that looked at it thought it was a significant concern. He said the service should be replaced in the near-term. However, the second electrician that looked at it seemed to be far less concerned.

The house is a 100 year old house, recently purchased, and a lot of electrical problems have been uncovered which will amount to significant over-budget expense. I am trying to prioritize items accordingly to get the house to a level where I am comfortable with its safety.

Other than simply looking at the condition of the jacket, is there any more scientific way to assess what is going on inside?

Thanks.

Mike

Yes. I would use a megger, it checks the insulation value. It would require the power to be removed and both ends isolated for the tests. In the mean time don't move the flex.

IMO, the sooner the better.

 

[lbeachmike]

Yes. I would use a megger, it checks the insulation value. It would require the power to be removed and both ends isolated for the tests. In the mean time don't move the flex.

IMO, the sooner the better.

The sooner the better to replace it or the sooner the better to test it? It sounds like testing it may be somewhat impractical and thus a costly extra step.

 

[ptonsparky]

The sooner the better to replace it or the sooner the better to test it? It sounds like testing it may be somewhat impractical and thus a costly extra step.

Replace it with a completely new service would be my opinion.

 

[ActionDave]

Thanks for your response. I am worried about it because the first electrician that looked at it thought it was a significant concern. He said the service should be replaced in the near-term. However, the second electrician that looked at it seemed to be far less concerned.

Any electrical system that old is obsolete and is a prime candidate for replacement. Having said that I would likely side with the second electrician. There is a lot of vintage electrical in service with no problems everywhere in the country; there is a lot of newer electrical in worse shape.

The house is a 100 year old house, recently purchased, and a lot of electrical problems have been uncovered which will amount to significant over-budget expense. I am trying to prioritize items accordingly to get the house to a level where I am comfortable with its safety.

Having said what I said above I now will say you are not a little old lady on a fixed income..... Spend the money now and get it right, all of the electrical from top to bottom. It will never cost you less to fix your electrical problems later.

 

[Smart $]

Any electrical system that old is obsolete and is a prime candidate for replacement. Having said that I would likely side with the second electrician. There is a lot of vintage electrical in service with no problems everywhere in the country; there is a lot of newer electrical in worse shape.

Having said what I said above I now will say you are not a little old lady on a fixed income..... Spend the money now and get it right, all of the electrical from top to bottom. It will never cost you less to fix your electrical problems later.

I agree... but with perhaps a little less emphasis on the get 'r fixed now.

 

[dmxtothemax]

I would get another electrician,
Tell him it is an old service and you would like a time line,
Just because the is rust doesn't mean the inside wires are likewise,
They could be in better condition,
He would have to open it up and examine inside.

Because it is already 100 years old it may be worth while rewiring,
the matter is how soon
only an electrician can say after examination.

Sometimes it's surprising how well the old electrical systems last
As they took great pride in doing a good job in those days.

But I would not panic !