Old Red/Black Cable

Onar · Post by **Onar** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:14 pm

Hello,

I have discovered a 100 ft Roll of 2.5mm Twin/Earth cable (Pre EU/UK) tucked away.

It is the Red/Black.

Now we have left the EU would it be legal to use it in my own garage?.

Thank you.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:33 pm

I expect the professional electricians on here will have comment to make, but to the best of my knowledge, BS7671 - the wiring regulations, which are not law - does not specifically say it can't be used.

However, if the rest of your house is already in the new "harmonised" colours, you should technically put a sticker on the consumer unit that says mixed colours are in use in the building, you can get these online in small packs. It works the other way, you see, when you can only purchase new spec. cable to do a repair in an old building.

Alternatively, you can buy yourself some blue sleeving & some brown sleeving and slide this over your black/red inside each socket backbox, light switches, and junction boxes. I believe this would make it compliant.

The pros are under pressure from their trade/certification bodies to use the new colours so where you might come up against aggro is if your installation needs to be tested & officially certified.

.

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:08 pm

There is no reason even before we left EU that it should not be used and sleeved.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:27 pm

Over sleeving is largely irrelevant. Red & black was the correct colour to be used IMHO.

As for anybody commenting its a bad idea and not compliant - show them the door.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:35 pm

You might want to sell it on ebay.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:45 pm

ericmark wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:08 pm There is no reason even before we left EU that it should not be used and sleeved.

I wish I'd known this when I forked out on a new reel last year when wiring my shed. I have a full reel of the old stuff that someone told me I couldn't use

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:53 pm

How would anyone know if you used it in your own place? But same advice, sell it on ebay, its not quite silly money but I bet its much more than you paid for it.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:15 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:53 pm How would anyone know if you used it in your own place? But same advice, sell it on ebay, its not quite silly money but I bet its much more than you paid for it.

I just thought as it's connected to the CU and if I ever sell my house it might be highlighted on the report so thought it best to play safe. I need to rewire my kitchen at some point. I might use it with the new sleeving.

Onar · Post by **Onar** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:26 pm

Thank you for all your comments.

I will check with some organisations.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:37 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:53 pm How would anyone know if you used it in your own place? But same advice, sell it on ebay, its not quite silly money but I bet its much more than you paid for it.

Quite likely - but weighty, so carriage/postage to take into account.

Argyll, as Neelix didn't object as I thought he might, just use it and apply a sticker.

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:25 pm

The only real issue is , will the cable pass a test ect

Other than that label CCU , mine is labelled for this reason

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:33 pm

What kind of useless electrician WOULDN'T recognise red/black as opposed to brown/blue FFS? How is the different colour supposed to be 'dangerous'? This is akin to a garage mechanic not knowing the difference between petrol and diesel.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:42 pm

Old coloured cable goes well on ebay.

It means tradesmen that aren't sparkles can fit new circuits and claim it was existing

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:27 pm

As a spark I’m expected to add a warning label on a fuseboard if both old and new colours are used.

After about 18 years since the colour change we need to stop adding POINTLESS labels - I stopped a few years ago

If you don’t know that red is live or brown is live you deserve to hurt yourself

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:05 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:27 pm As a spark I’m expected to add a warning label on a fuseboard if both old and new colours are used.

After about 18 years since the colour change we need to stop adding POINTLESS labels - I stopped a few years ago

If you don’t know that red is live or brown is live you deserve to hurt yourself

For the non sparks out there it's easy to remember 'black and blue'