On Mon, 4 May 2009 08:44:21 -0700 (PDT), eden wrote:

I live in a small 1870s Victorian mid terrace cottage and the cupboard
with the mains electric/gas etc is just inside front wall. I removed
all the old ivy from the front of the house as I want it re-painted
inc lots of roots and trunks.

1. Under the ivy was 2 thick electric cables in brown although painted
over, going from my meter inside up to the eaves somewhere. The cable
clips have mostly deteriorated. Are these OK just to be left and
painted over again?

I've had a look at the pics you posted. Unfortunately, there's not quite
enough detail to be able to offer a definitive comment, so a couple of
questions - without you poking and prodding too much!

Do the cables look as though they're sheathed with pvc or do they have a
sort of woven fabric outer cover? Even if they're painted, you should still
be able to get some idea of what the outer layer is like.

If they're pvc sheathed, they are fairly modern and should be fine.

If they have the woven cambric outer layer, then the cables will probably
be PBJ - poly butyl jute. They will be quite old, and reaching the end of
their serviceable life. The insulation is a rubber compound, and this
degrades and stiffens with age, particlarly on bends, loops etc. Any
movement of the cables can cause the insulation to crack and crumble away.
The local electricity distribution company will inspect them and replace
them FoC if they consider the cables have reached the end of their life.

You mention clips - are these like large thin metal strips, a bit like was
used for wiring before the introduction of pvc clips, but much larger? If
they are, then you'll probably have PBJ lead-in cables.

2. Also there is a newish looking green cable about 5mm thick which
appears to go from a socket on the inside (sited about 300mm above
floor level) through the wall and down into the earth below? Is this
an earth wire? and if so is it ok now exposed like this? When I bought
the house 12 years ago it wasnt earthed and I remember having to have
an electrician to do some work.

Looks very much like the connection to an earth rod. Looks a bit loose and
flappy, but should be fine to clip back to the wall. You might just want to
ask an electrician to check that the earthing meets current standards if
you're not happy about checking this yourself.

--
The Wanderer

Meditate! It's better than sitting doing nothing.