"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
"wanderer" wrote in message
...

Butyl rubber was a common insulant within the electricity supply
industry 60 to 70 years ago, used for lead-in cables to properties.
Much has been replaced, although it still turns up in predominantly
rural locations.

Lead sheathed cable is now considered to be unsafe for electrical
installation work, and should be replaced ASAP.

I'd guess that at least third to a half of all the houses in the country
still have lead-sheathed paper or PBJ insulated service cables. The
supply
industry doesn't seem to be in any hurry to replace them.

--
Andy



someone else commented on such cables being replaced on the Sutton
streetlights last year. I guess the difference is if they blow up
underground they don't really do much damage, whereas in a house they can be
a real fire hazard. So no real drive (other than presumably leakage) to
replace those underground.
It is sounding like they are more common that I'd have thought given some of
the postings on this thread! not that this is a good thing of course!!
amazing they actually keep going this long, despite the obvious dangers.
Matt