5 Common Electrical Problems in Older Homes and How to Fix Them
If you live in an older home, you might love its character and charm—but what about its electrics? Outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, and ageing components can pose serious safety risks.
Whether your house was built 50, 60, or even 100 years ago, it’s important to ensure its electrical system is up to modern standards. Here are five common electrical issues found in older homes—and what you can do to fix them.
1. Outdated Wiring (Pre-1970s Cabling)
One of the biggest concerns in older properties is worn-out wiring. If your home still has rubber, lead, or aluminium wiring, it’s likely unsafe and needs replacing.
🔎 How to Check:
✅ Look for black rubber-coated cables, which deteriorate over time
✅ Older homes may also have fabric-covered or lead-sheathed wiring
✅ Green goo seeping from sockets? That’s a sign of chemical breakdown in old PVC cables
🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:
Old wiring isn’t built to handle modern electrical loads and can cause overheating or even electrical fires.
âš¡ Fix It: book an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) with a qualified electrician. If the wiring is outdated, a full rewire may be needed to bring your home up to standard.
2. Lack of Earthing & RCD Protection
Earthing is essential for electrical safety, preventing electric shocks by safely directing faults into the ground. Many older homes lack proper earthing—especially if they’ve never had a full electrical upgrade.
🔎 How to Check:
✅ Do your sockets have two holes instead of three? (No earth pin)
✅ Does your consumer unit lack an RCD (Residual Current Device)?
✅ Do you get mild electric shocks from switches or appliances?
🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:
Without earthing, faulty appliances or wiring can become live, increasing the risk of shocks or fires.
âš¡ Fix It: upgrade to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection. A registered electrician can also check and install proper earthing where needed. For more information, see our blog post What Is A Residual Current Device (RCD)?
3. Overloaded Circuits & Frequent Tripping
Older homes weren’t designed for today’s electrical demands. If your fuse box trips regularly, it’s a sign your circuits are overloaded.
🔎 Signs of an Overloaded Circuit:
✅ Frequent tripping of fuses or circuit breakers
✅ Buzzing sockets or switches
✅ Dimming lights when using multiple appliances
✅ Too many extension leads plugged in
🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:
Overloaded circuits can overheat, damaging wiring and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
âš¡ Fix It: if your home lacks enough sockets, an electrician can install additional circuits to safely handle your electricity usage. If you still have an old fuse box, upgrading to a modern consumer unit is a smart investment.
4. Vintage Switches & Sockets
Those old-fashioned bakelite light switches may look stylish, but are they safe? Many older switches and sockets weren’t designed for today’s electrical loads and may be brittle, loose, or even cracked.
🔎 Signs of Unsafe Sockets & Switches:
✅ Cracks or exposed wiring around fittings
✅ Loose plug sockets that don’t hold plugs securely
✅ Sparks when you plug in or unplug an appliance
🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:
Damaged sockets can lead to electric shocks or short circuits.
âš¡ Fix It: replace old or damaged sockets and switches with modern, safer alternatives. For added convenience, consider upgrading to USB wall sockets for easy phone and tablet charging.
5. Old or Non-Compliant Consumer Units (Fuse Boxes)
Many older homes still have fuse boxes instead of modern consumer units. If your fuse box looks like a jumble of wires and fuses, it’s time for an upgrade.
🔎 Signs You Need a Consumer Unit Upgrade:
✅ Your fuse box has old-style rewireable fuses instead of circuit breakers
✅ There’s no RCD protection (essential for preventing electric shocks)
✅ You’ve noticed burning smells or scorch marks near the unit
🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:
Older fuse boxes don’t offer the same level of protection as modern consumer units, increasing the risk of fire or electric shock.
âš¡ Fix It: upgrade to a 17th or 18th Edition consumer unit with RCD protection for maximum safety.
Future-Proof Your Home’s Electrics
If your home is over 30 years old and hasn’t had an electrical inspection, it’s time to get one. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) will identify any urgent safety risks and recommend necessary upgrades.
📞 Need expert advice on upgrading your home’s electrics? Crannis Technology Services Ltd provides electrical inspections, rewires, and consumer unit upgrades across Swindon and the surrounding areas. Get in touch today on 01793 629629 for a free consultation!
