Renew very old circuit board

It's quite likely that it will need a rewire, have you had a electrical test done ?,

 

If the wiring is original (1960s) its gonna need a rewire.
Just because its red and black does not automatically mean rewire.

 

Loadmaster dorman smith were good boards in their day, but not DIN rail so only thing that will fit is loadmaster, however likely you will want a new all RCBO board anyway with SPD so hardly matters what make or model, you will in order to add anything need to change the board.

Around 1966 there was a big change, after then lights have earths, and mainly PVC cables, before then likely to find rubber cables and no earth to lights, I was still using those boards when working on the building of Sizewell 'B' so early 90's still in use.

It would be prudent to get an EICR (electrical installation condition report) done.

The board can be still used with owner occupier, but to get a satisfactory result to rent may be a problem, an EICR is a personal opinion of the inspector, so you can ask him first if he will pass the board or not.

I still had fuses in this house when I moved in, within 6 months new CU fitted, no sweat, what I expected to do, the problem arises when you want to rent, and you need an EICR before you can rent it out.

I do not see lack of RCD protection with a TN property as potentially dangerous, but I would with a TT property, as the water and gas pipes are now mainly plastic, so with a TT the earth rod on its own is not good enough.

But there could be other issues, so prudent to get an EICR done.

 

It could be very easy, if its wired in conduit you can rewire through the existing conduits/ maybe.

If not it could be a pain.

Best bet is as others have advised get a condition report done before you buy.

 

Just reading the label below the breakers, never seen that before, must of been when breakers first came about.
Interesting.

 

I would wage a bet it is a complete rewire that you will need. These concrete flats can be a total nightmare to rewire as the runs of existing conduit is rarely where you need it especially if you need sockets or lights in different places to where the existing are already in place. Not a nice job to do and will be very messy so if you do buy it make sure it is the very first job that you do to modernise it.

 

Pandoras box, who knows what it contains, maybe it hides mineral insulated cables

 

If that is the case, then you really do have much bigger potential problems than just the electrics.
Has the tower block been clad in the last 20 years ? If it has, walk away now, it dosn't matter how cheap it is now to buy................................it will cost you the rest of your life to pay for it and you will never be able to sell it.

 

I would drop the ceiling a few inches and run cables and any pipework in that it will end up a far neater job

 

Only problem I foresee with doing that is if he has a pet giraffe and it could cause problems with head room. Seen that a lot.

 

Any decent spark/builder would ask the giraffe question before lowering the ceiling.

 

True but there are cowboys out there that wouldnt.

 

You never fail to amaze me with your comments, always thinking outside the box.

 

Its the way I am, you can call it genius and many do, I just have had so much experience that it just comes naturaly.

 

Not sure what I'd call it, dont fancy Bornmuff the weathers changed.

 

Its Alcatraz next time, 6 week stint in solitary confinement.