What is Vulcanised Rubber and why it needs to go NOW!?

Описание: What Is Vulcanised Rubber Wiring?

Vulcanised rubber-insulated cable (also known as VIR or VRI) was commonly used in homes built or rewired between the 1920s and 1950s. It has a rubber outer sheath and sometimes a fabric braid over the top. It looks old – and it is.

You’ll typically find it in:

Pre-1960s properties
Round black or brown cables, sometimes cloth-covered
Lofts, under floorboards, or in old light fittings

Why It’s a Problem Today
Time hasn’t been kind to rubber wiring. Here's what happens as it ages:

✅ It becomes brittle and cracks – exposing the live wires inside
✅ The insulation can fall off completely – increasing fire and shock risk
✅ It can’t handle modern electrical loads – homes today use far more power than when this wiring was installed
✅ It may not be earthed – which is now a legal safety requirement
⚠️ It's not just outdated – it's dangerous. Most insurance companies won't cover damage caused by old wiring, and it won't pass modern safety inspections (EICRs).

How to Spot It

If your home still has:

Black or brown rubber cabling
Bakelite switches or fuse boxes
A mix of modern and very old wiring
…it’s worth getting a proper inspection.

What’s the Solution?

If it can be removed or replaced then a full or partial rewire by a qualified electrician may be necessary - however I was able to recently remove one leg of the cable and so a rewire was not necessary.

This means:

-Replacing old rubber wiring with modern PVC-sheathed cable
-Ensuring sockets and switches are earthed
-Installing an up-to-date consumer unit with proper RCD protection and AFDD protection

Final Thoughts from me…

“If you’ve got vulcanised rubber wiring in your home, don’t wait for something to go wrong. I’ve seen this stuff crumble in my hands. It’s not scaremongering – it really is a ticking time bomb. A rewire might feel like a big job, but done properly, it’ll last you decades and keep your family safe.”