E-lines dead?

Hello,

my topic may sound a bit strange. Friends of mine bought an old farmhouse that they want to renovate gradually. I will support them from time to time and assist them with advice and practical help - even if I first have to get the advice here! :D

This question is about the kitchen, which is full of old sockets and light switches. We have only one problem: the light switches cannot be assigned. There are two lamps in this kitchen, but 4 light switches. Two of them can be assigned to the lamps, the rest remains a mystery. Now my friend said that these might be decommissioned, that is dead, wires, but then there shouldn't be any power on them, right? :confused:

A cable is usually only declared dead when it is no longer part of the network - that is, no longer connected to power. Therefore, there is no more "juice" on it. However, if current still flows, then the cables are still operational. There is a special device to locate or trace cables. For example, the multi digital locator PDO from Bosch - not intending to advertise here. Maybe one could trace the course with it and perhaps find out more. ;)

Hello Tarzan,

With old electrical wires, it is always difficult to say whether they are dead or not. But if a wire is dead, then there can and must be no voltage on it anymore. For safety reasons, measure everything again. If there really is no electricity on it, then the wires are dead.

hi,

yes, definitely measure that first, so that no accident happens later. I thought anyway that when working on the electricity, you have to cut the power to the whole house. isn't that so? :confused:

lg,
yung :)

I would first check if there is still power. If that is not the case, check if all fuses are switched on; if that is also the case, the switches can be safely removed. Care should be taken to tape the ends of the wires (L1, N, and PE) to prevent them from touching each other. If later some current gets onto the line due to any work, there would otherwise always be a short circuit.

hi
especially with old wiring it's tricky because you often don't even know where they lead to or come from. get an electrician who knows his stuff and let the professional decide whether the wires are dead or not. have fun renovating without accidents.