Old Electrical Wiring in Melbourne Homes
If your home was built before the 1980s, there’s a good chance your wiring is overdue for a serious check-up.
No scare tactics here, just facts.
According to the NSW Government, around 40% of household fires are caused by electrical faults. And yep, many of those come straight back to old, worn-out wiring. In Victoria, outdated cabling has even been linked to bushfire ignition.
As your local electrician in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, we think it’s important you know exactly what kind of wiring you’ve got behind your walls and what it could mean for your safety.
So, let’s walk through it together.
Why Wiring History Matters for Melbourne Homes
Just recently, we received a call from a homeowner in Camberwell. Her 1950s weatherboard house was experiencing flickering lights. Upon inspection, we found the original VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) wiring still in place. This wiring was exposed, brittle, and clearly well past its safe use period. A potential fire hazard waiting to happen.
This situation isn’t unusual. Many Melbourne homes, especially those built before 1980, still retain their original wiring. This poses several risks. Older wiring systems often lack proper insulation and earth wiring. The sheathing surrounding the cables is frequently cracked, brittle, or crumbling. Unfortunately, much of this hazardous wiring remains hidden behind walls, ceilings, or under floors, making it easy to overlook until problems arise.
Because of these dangers, Energy Safe Victoria recommends having your home’s wiring inspected every 3 to 5 years. If an upgrade or rewire is necessary, it should not be delayed.
How Wiring Has Evolved Over Time
Pre-1960s: Many homes used VIR wiring, which relied on rubber insulation prone to drying out and cracking over time.
1960s to 1980s: PVC-insulated wiring became standard, offering better durability and insulation, but older homes may still have sections of outdated wiring.
Post-1980s: Modern wiring includes improved materials, better insulation, and mandatory earth wiring for safety, reducing risks of shocks and fires.
Understanding the evolution of home wiring can help homeowners in Melbourne make informed decisions about their home's electrical safety. If your home is older, a professional inspection from AJD Electrical Solutions can identify potential issues and recommend timely updates to protect your family and property.
Lead Sheathed Cable (1880s to 1910s)
Lead-sheathed cables are still present in some older homes and public buildings in Armadale, East Melbourne, and parts of Carlton. These cables feature an outer lead sheath surrounding wires insulated with bitumen and chemically treated paper.
However, lead is known to be hazardous, and after more than 120 years, the protective sheath has likely deteriorated, increasing the risk of electrical faults and health concerns. It is advisable to have these cables inspected and replaced by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with current standards.
Knob and Tube Wiring (1850s to 1940s)
This antique setup used copper wire threaded through ceramic knobs and tubes. It lacked an earth wire and had minimal insulation.
In Australia, this type of wiring is considered obsolete, unable to meet today's electrical demands, and poses a significant safety hazard. If your home is heritage-listed and you discover this wiring, contact your local electrician immediately.
Vulcanised Indian Rubber (VIR) Cable (1910s to 1950s)
VIR cables consist of a copper conductor insulated with vulcanised rubber and then covered with waxed cotton. These cables are commonly found in older suburbs like Balwyn, Kew, and parts of Box Hill.
Over time, the rubber insulation naturally dries out, becomes brittle, and begins to flake, which can compromise the cable’s safety and performance.
Cloth-Insulated Wiring (1920s to 1960s)
Rubber-insulated wires covered in fabric may appear intact on the surface, but the insulation beneath can be deteriorating.
This degradation is often difficult to detect without a trained eye, making it important to have a professional inspection to ensure safety and reliability.
Tough Rubber Sheathed (TRS) Cable (1940s to 1960s)
TRS cable was commonly used in homes built between the 1940s and 1960s, particularly in areas like Box Hill, Mitcham, and Burwood. This wiring consists of copper conductors encased in a durable rubber outer sheath. Typically, TRS cables do not include an earth wire, although in some homes a bare earth wire may be present.
Over time, the rubber insulation deteriorates and becomes brittle, increasing the risk of electrical hazards such as short circuits and fire. If your home still has TRS wiring, it is crucial to have it inspected and replaced by a licensed electrician as soon as possible.
At AJD Electrical Solutions, we offer fast, reliable rewiring services to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and up to current standards. Call us now on 0431 719 924 for an expert assessment.
Early PVC / Thermoplastic Sheathed (TPS) Cabling (1960s to 1980s)
Early PVC and TPS cabling represented a significant advancement over older wiring types, offering better insulation and safer installation practices, but these cables often do not meet today’s electrical safety standards due to common issues such as the lack of proper earth wires, which increases the risk of electric shock and limits the effectiveness of modern safety devices like residual current devices (RCDs); deterioration of insulation, where the PVC can become brittle or crack over time, potentially exposing live wires and increasing the risk of short circuits or electrical fires; and capacity and load limitations, as these cables were not designed to support the higher electrical loads and modern appliances used today, which can lead to overheating.
Modern TPS Wiring (1980s to Now)
Today’s standard wiring consists of colour-coded copper wires enclosed within a durable plastic sheath. This design ensures safety, durability, and compliance with current electrical regulations.
Despite its reliability, it is advisable to have the wiring inspected periodically, particularly if there is any suspicion of rodent activity, as gnawing can damage the insulation and compromise safety. Regular checks help maintain the integrity of your electrical system and prevent potential hazards.
Colour-Coding Changes Over Time
Wiring colours in Australia have changed a few times. Here’s a quick guide:
Pre-1960s:
Active (Live): Red or Black
Neutral: Black or Red
Earth: None or Green
1960s to 2000s:
Active (Live): Red
Neutral: Black
Earth: Green
Post-2000 (Current Standard):
Active (Live): Brown
Neutral: Blue
Earth: Green and Yellow stripe
Make sure your electrician understands these changes, especially when working on older properties.
Read our blog on ‘Australian wiring codes’ for more details.
How to Check What Wiring You’ve Got
If you're curious, you can take a careful peek behind a power point or light switch. Just don’t touch anything. Look for:
Fabric or rubber-coated wires
Red or black wires without a green and yellow earth
Exposed copper
No earth wire at all
Not sure what you’re seeing? Give us a call. We’ll come take a proper look.
Infinity and Olsent Cable Recall (2012 to 2013)
Between 2012 and 2013, some poor-quality TPS cable was sold under the names Infinity and Olsent. It was installed in about 22,000 homes across Australia. The insulation breaks down too quickly and doesn’t meet Australian standards.
If your home was built, renovated, or rewired during that time, it’s a good idea to have it checked.
Suburbs Where We See the Most Outdated Wiring
We often find old and unsafe wiring in:
Glen Waverley
Clayton
Chadstone
Many homes in these areas were built between the 1940s and 1980s and have never been updated.
When Should You Replace Your Wiring?
As a rule, if your home is over 40 years old, your wiring is probably near the end of its safe life. It’s worth upgrading, even if things seem fine on the surface.
Consider rewiring if:
You’ve never had an inspection
You don’t have any paperwork
Circuits trip regularly
Outlets spark or buzz
Lights flicker often
You smell something burning
Also, under Australian electrical codes (AS/NZS 3000:2018), you’re required to bring your wiring up to standard if you’re doing major renovations or electrical upgrades.
Find out what it costs to rewire your home in Australia.
Why Locals Trust AJD Electrical Solutions
We’ve helped hundreds of Melbourne homeowners make their properties safer and more reliable. Here’s what sets us apart:
Over 15 years of experience
Local experts in the eastern and south-eastern suburbs
Specialists in rewiring older homes
Fully licensed and insured
Up to date with all current regulations
Quality materials with proper warranties
Compliance guaranteed on every job
Book a Safety Inspection or Rewiring Quote
We offer same-week inspections and friendly, no-obligation quotes. You’ll find us working across Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Camberwell, Burwood, Chadstone, Clayton, and nearby areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most likely not. The insulation is probably brittle by now, and it may not have proper earthing. Get a licensed electrician to inspect it and let you know where things stand.
-
TPS stands for Thermoplastic Sheathed cable. It has tough insulation, clearly colour-coded wires, and a fully insulated earth wire. It’s the safest option currently available.
-
It’s best to let a licensed electrician check. Unless you’re trained, DIY electrical work is risky and can do more harm than good.
Don’t wait for warning signs. Let’s make sure your home’s wiring is safe and up to standard.
Call today, we’re happy to help.