verdigris in electrics Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Angela1978]

I am currently renting a property which has, what looks to be, verdigris in all the plug sockets. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

[kbrownie]

Hi Angela,
without being able to inspect myself, i'd guess you had a moisture problem, but rare for all sockets to have this.
KB

[sparx]

Hi A.
the 'green gunge' as we call it technically is the polymer in the PVC reacting with the copper in the cable, old cable around late 1960/70's was not tinned copper & this reaction is quite common.
Apparently won't harm cable function but can get into accessories,
NB Harmful to human skin!! If digging out to clean up before changing socket/switch etc wear gloves & goggles, this was advice from ECA some time ago.
If not causing problems best leave it alone,
REGARDS SPARX

[Angela1978]

[quote="sparx"]Hi A.
the 'green gunge' as we call it technically is the polymer in the PVC reacting with the copper in the cable, old cable around late 1960/70's was not tinned copper & this reaction is quite common.
Apparently won't harm cable function but can get into accessories,
NB Harmful to human skin!! If digging out to clean up before changing socket/switch etc wear gloves & goggles, this was advice from ECA some time ago.
If not causing problems best leave it alone,
REGARDS SPARX[/quote]

Many thanks for your comments.