Wiring degrades on a long timeline. The insulation hardens. The terminations loosen. The protective device ages. The unit owner notices small things over months — and then one big thing once. The right time to act is at the small things.
Six early warnings
- Lights dim when the AC or kettle kicks in — the circuit is at capacity, the voltage drop is showing
- Faceplates or sockets feel warm to the touch under load
- Burning smell that comes and goes around a specific room or appliance
- Trips that move around — different MCBs at different times of day
- Visible heat marks on accessories — yellowing, browning, brittleness
- Resale or renovation inspection report flags the installation as needing upgrade
Age as a trigger
A typical residential installation in Singapore is designed for around 25 to 30 years of service before a full re-evaluation. Older HDB units, particularly those that have never had the DB upgraded, are well past that window. Age alone is not a defect — but age plus any of the warning signs above is a clear case for a Licensed Electrical Worker visit and an insulation-resistance test on the whole installation.
Partial repair vs full upgrade
The decision turns on the megger reading. If insulation resistance is strong on most circuits and weak on one, the repair is one circuit. If the reading is broadly low across the unit, the case for a full rewire firms up. This is licensed work and the choice is made with the LEW after testing, not before. Find one on the EMA ELISE Licensed Electrical Worker directory.
Test, then decide
Whether to repair one circuit or rewire the whole flat is a test reading, not an opinion. A contractor who quotes a full rewire before pulling out the megger is selling, not diagnosing.
