Importance of replacing cloth cabling in New Zealand properties

Feb 11
3 min read

Updated: Feb 24

The importance of replacing cloth cabling in New Zealand properties cannot be underestimated. It poses a safety risk to you and your property. If you have it in your home still, call a sparky right away. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is cloth cabling?

Cloth cabling is copper wire wrapped in rayon or cotton, then insulated with rubber or asbestos paper.

How to know if your house is still using cloth cabling

How would you know if your house still uses cloth cabling with all the wiring hidden behind walls? Here’s what to look for:

If your home was built before 1960 and hasn’t been rewired

If your home was built before 1960 and hasn’t been rewired, it’s likely to still use cloth cabling.

Cabling is black, braided fabric

If you’re able to see your cabling, look for cords wrapped in black, braided fabric.

Cable insulation is brittle

Cable insulation is brittle on this type of wiring. So, if it’s moved or disturbed, it will crack and crumble.

Fuse box uses ceramic fuses

Ceramic fuses imply that you still have cloth cabling in your walls.

No earth wire

No earth wire was installed with cloth cabling, so look around your meter box. If you can’t spot an earth wire, that’s a sure sign of cloth cabling.

Risks and implications of cloth or fabric wiring

Cloth or fabric wiring poses many electrical safety risks to your house and your family – and may make things more expensive, too.

Fire and electrical shock hazards – you may have degraded insulation.
Insurance and mortgage issues – the increased risk is often unacceptable to lenders and insurers.
Incompatibility with modern loads – you may notice flickering lights, warm power points and circuits tripping when using more than one appliance.
Potential rodent damage – cloth is much more attractive to rats and mice than modern plastic cabling covers.
Metal conduit risks – the metal tubing that protects wiring in walls can become live if there’s an electrical fault.

Why should cloth cabling be replaced?

Cloth cabling should be replaced because its old insulation makes it an unsafe option – it can cause fire or electrical shocks.

Benefits of upgrading to modern wiring

The benefits of rewiring your home go far beyond improving its safety. Modern wiring comes with built-in safety systems.

Enhanced safety of your home

Outdated writing increases the chance of electric shock. New Zealand homes deliver 230 volts, which can cause muscle spasms, burns, loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest. Modern wiring comes with built-in safety systems like an RCD, which turns off the current if it senses a fault.

Reduced fire hazards

You’ll reduce fire hazards with modern wiring and predictive devices. Together, these lessen the chance of overheating, arcing and electrical fires.

Lower insurance premiums

Insurance companies will often reduce their premiums for homes with modern wiring. This is because the risk of electrical fire is much lower.

Improved electrical capacity

Improving your electrical capacity means being able to use the appliances you want when you want them.

Cloth cabling FAQs

How much does it cost to replace cloth wiring?

The cost to replace cloth wiring will depend on the size of your property – it could start at $5,000 for a small, simple home.

When was cloth wiring used in New Zealand properties?

Cloth-insulated wiring was used in New Zealand homes built from the 1900s through to the 1940s.

What impact can cloth wiring have on insurance premiums?

Cloth wiring can increase your insurance premiums, and companies may even refuse to insure your home at all.

What impact can cloth wiring have on a mortgage?

Cloth wiring, in itself, won’t prevent lenders from approving your mortgage. However, most lenders will require that you have insurance – and cloth wiring can make that more difficult or expensive.

For a no-obligation quote to bring your house’s wiring up to modern standards, get in touch with the Hines Electrical team today