Rubber and Aluminium Wiring: Why Your Old Home Needs Replacement

If your Sydney home was built before the 1980s, there's a good chance it still has original wiring that's now brittle, cracked and dangerous. Older wiring materials like rubber sheath and aluminium are among the leading causes of house fires in older properties.

The Problem with Rubber Sheathed Wiring Rubber insulation becomes brittle over decades. Vibration, heat and age cause the rubber to crack, exposing the copper conductor underneath. This exposed wiring can cause: - Short circuits and arcing - Overheating and fire - Electrical shock hazards - Interference with modern appliances

Aluminium Wiring Issues Aluminium wiring was used in many homes in the 1960s-70s before its problems were discovered: - Oxidation creates high-resistance connections - Connections loosen over time - Overheating at connection points (major fire hazard) - Incompatibility with modern outlets and devices (which are designed for copper)

Why This Is a Problem Now These wiring issues don't announce themselves until something goes wrong. But the hidden damage and risk accumulates every year. A fire caused by old wiring isn't just devastating — it may not be covered by insurance if the hazard was known.

What You Should Do If you own an older home, have a licensed electrician perform a full electrical inspection. If rubber or aluminium wiring is found, planning a rewiring project should be a priority. We can provide a staged approach if needed, upgrading circuits progressively.

Call Infiniti Power on 0401 686 800 for a safety inspection of your older home's wiring.