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 House more than 40 years old. Should replace wire?, Rewiring

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TSbani_prime
post Jun 2 2025, 09:54 AM, updated 5 months ago

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My house already age more thna 40 years old. Build around 1970.

I got an issue where certain room has tripping issue. I suspect there is an wiring issue. Question should I replace all wiring... Or just replace wiring that got problem only?

I don't want do wiring all area because my house sudah banyak deco. I concern it will disturb all the deco. Is there where people can minimise the defect

Or should I seperate the main panel into 3 different panel for kitchen and upstairs. So I can safe cost?
crash13 P
post Jun 2 2025, 10:37 AM

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Copper wiring can last up until 100 years++. The copper itself is not the issue but the cabble sheath. If u are using good quality cable with correct spec, it can easily last up until 70 years++. Should you rewiring your whole house?depend on budget and safety

If ur house is a 2 storeys house, it is more convenient to have 2 DB. Easily to troubleshoot and if got any issue, the wiring route should be more shorter hence cheaper


enduser
post Jun 2 2025, 06:36 PM

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Ask wireman to do insulation test.
This will confirm ur cable in good quality or failed.

If only have 1 DB, its time to create sub DB for kitchen & upstairs.
Aircnd cable with 4mmsq , 10mA for water heater etc.
theevilman1909
post Jun 30 2025, 02:46 PM

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It's highly recommended to have your electrical wiring inspected and potentially replaced for safety reasons.

Older wiring may be outdated, damaged, or not up to current safety codes, increasing the risk of electrical fires
TSbani_prime
post Jun 30 2025, 03:26 PM

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QUOTE(crash13 @ Jun 2 2025, 10:37 AM)
Copper wiring can last up until 100 years++. The copper itself is not the issue but the cabble sheath. If u are using good quality cable with correct spec, it can easily last up until 70 years++. Should you rewiring your whole house?depend on budget and safety

If ur house is a 2 storeys house, it is more convenient to have 2 DB. Easily to troubleshoot and if got any issue, the wiring route should be more shorter hence cheaper
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what the difference with db and sub db
SUSceo684
post Jul 2 2025, 02:53 AM

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QUOTE(bani_prime @ Jun 30 2025, 03:26 PM)
what the difference with db and sub db
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Main DB @ GF then one sub DB @ 1F so you only need to korek one hole (single tree trunk between GF & 1F) rather than a huge hole for 20-40 wires returning to GF
ItsJustheOne
post Jul 5 2025, 01:38 AM

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QUOTE(crash13 @ Jun 2 2025, 10:37 AM)
Copper wiring can last up until 100 years++. The copper itself is not the issue but the cabble sheath. If u are using good quality cable with correct spec, it can easily last up until 70 years++. Should you rewiring your whole house?depend on budget and safety

If ur house is a 2 storeys house, it is more convenient to have 2 DB. Easily to troubleshoot and if got any issue, the wiring route should be more shorter hence cheaper
*
QUOTE(enduser @ Jun 2 2025, 06:36 PM)
Ask wireman to do insulation test.
This will confirm ur  cable in good quality or failed.

If only have 1 DB, its time to create sub DB for kitchen & upstairs.
Aircnd cable with 4mmsq , 10mA for water heater etc.
*
QUOTE(ceo684 @ Jul 2 2025, 02:53 AM)
Main DB @ GF then one sub DB @ 1F so you only need to korek one hole (single tree trunk between GF & 1F) rather than a huge hole for 20-40 wires returning to GF
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For old subsale house with existing DB box (just 1 downstairs), how to do these? Need rewire the whole house? Will it be costly?
swing123
post Jul 5 2025, 08:58 AM

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QUOTE(ItsJustheOne @ Jul 5 2025, 01:38 AM)
For old subsale house with existing DB box (just 1 downstairs), how to do these? Need rewire the whole house? Will it be costly?
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You will need to run new wiring for upstairs at least if want to add sub DB, for the plug and light points to connect to sub DB. Also need to consider how to run the wire from main DB to sub DB, through the floor or run thru external wall.

If you plan to do major reno then might as well especially if intended to run conceal. Need to factor in false ceiling cost, hacking and plastering, plus repaint costs. The you would think, since already created the mess might as well replace all water pipes LOL.

If you want to run trunking without conceal plus a sub DB estimate around rm20-25k for two storey terrace depending on plug and light points.

This post has been edited by swing123: Jul 5 2025, 09:02 AM
SUSceo684
post Jul 6 2025, 03:52 PM

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QUOTE(ItsJustheOne @ Jul 5 2025, 01:38 AM)
For old subsale house with existing DB box (just 1 downstairs), how to do these? Need rewire the whole house? Will it be costly?
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It will involve rewiring of the first floor circuits (lights, sockets, and water heater) to point back to a sub DB box on the first floor (1F).

Attached Image

A check is best to ascertain the feasibility; putting in a sub DB is recommended for high ceiling/larger houses so that you won't need a lot of redundant runs back to main DB at the GF.

But first and foremost I would do a check on the existing cables, sockets, water heater related to ascertain the health and whether the existing DB box and wiring is up to code.

This is because houses built >30 years ago don't necessarily follow current standards, ELCB was used and they were so insensitive that they're only good for fire protection (does not save lives), and due to old age the old ELCB/RCD failed to trip.

Attached Image Attached Image

If you're in Klang Valley/Selangor area, do PM me for further discussion.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Jul 6 2025, 03:53 PM
ItsJustheOne
post Jul 7 2025, 12:17 AM

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QUOTE(ceo684 @ Jul 6 2025, 03:52 PM)
It will involve rewiring of the first floor circuits (lights, sockets, and water heater) to point back to a sub DB box on the first floor (1F).

Attached Image

A check is best to ascertain the feasibility; putting in a sub DB is recommended for high ceiling/larger houses so that you won't need a lot of redundant runs back to main DB at the GF.

But first and foremost I would do a check on the existing cables, sockets, water heater related to ascertain the health and whether the existing DB box and wiring is up to code.

This is because houses built >30 years ago don't necessarily follow current standards, ELCB was used and they were so insensitive that they're only good for fire protection (does not save lives), and due to old age the old ELCB/RCD failed to trip.

Attached Image Attached Image

If you're in Klang Valley/Selangor area, do PM me for further discussion.
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Wow very good detailed diagram. I've PMed you as well

 

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