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SV-04 · Service

House Wiring and Rewiring with the Right Electrical Cable

House wiring and rewiring in South Africa: the right electrical cable for house wiring, new DB boards and a COC from a registered electrician. Get a free quote.

Exposed ceiling joists with new grey surfix cable clipped neatly during a house rewire
Exposed ceiling joists with new grey surfix cable clipped neatly during a house rewire

Choosing the right electrical cable for house wiring is only half the job; it also has to be installed, terminated and tested properly. Whether you are building a new home or replacing old wiring, a registered electrician sizes the circuits, runs the cable and issues a COC. ElectricalCable.co.za passes your request to an independent electrician in your area who handles house wiring and rewiring. They quote you directly for the cable, labour and certificate. We don't do the work ourselves, and the service is free with no obligation.

Cable used in house wiring

Most South African homes are wired with surfix (flat twin-and-earth) cable or single-core house wire drawn through conduit, both made to SANS 1507. Typical sizes are 1.5 mm² for lighting, 2.5 mm² for plug circuits and 4–6 mm² for stoves and geysers, with larger cable for the main supply. The exact size depends on the load, the length of the run and how the cable is installed, so the electrician calculates it to SANS 10142-1.

Signs a house needs rewiring

  • Old rubber or cloth-insulated wiring that crumbles when touched
  • Red and black conductors with no earth on lighting or plug circuits
  • Ceramic fuses or an outdated DB board with no earth leakage unit
  • Burn marks, warm plugs, buzzing switches or frequent trips
  • Years of DIY additions and extension leads used as permanent wiring
  • A failed COC inspection when selling the property

What rewiring a house involves

Rewiring a house usually means replacing the cable, switches, plugs and light points, and fitting a new DB board with earth leakage protection and correctly rated breakers. Where conduit is already in the walls, new house wire can often be drawn through it with little damage. Otherwise walls are chased and replastered, or surface trunking is used. Work is done room by room so you can often stay in the house. When an electrician is wiring a house, testing and certification come at the end.

Using a COC electrician

A COC electrician is a registered person who may inspect, test and issue a certificate of compliance for an installation. You need a valid COC for new wiring, for major alterations and when transferring a property. Pricing depends on the size of the house, number of points, the copper price, whether conduit exists and the DB board work needed. Ask for itemised quotes so you can compare cable, labour and certification.

Comparing quotes for house wiring and rewiring

The lowest price is not always the best value. When your quote arrives, check:

  • Scope: exactly which cable, size and length is allowed for, and who supplies it.
  • Civil work: trenching, sleeves, chasing and making good, and reinstating paving or lawns.
  • Terminations and testing: glands, lugs, joints, insulation and earth-loop tests.
  • Compliance: that a registered electrician issues a COC under SANS 10142-1, and the guarantee on workmanship.

What to include in your request

  • New build, extension, partial rewire or full rewire
  • Size of the house, number of rooms and approximate number of points
  • Age of the existing wiring and whether conduit is in the walls
  • Photos of the DB board, plugs and any problem areas
  • Your suburb and whether you need a COC for a sale

Frequently asked questions

Which electrical cable is used for house wiring in South Africa?
Most homes use flat surfix (twin-and-earth) cable in ceilings and walls, or single-core house wire in conduit, both made to SANS 1507. Lights are usually on 1.5 mm² and plugs on 2.5 mm², but your electrician confirms sizes for each circuit.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
A typical three-bedroom house takes about one to two weeks, depending on whether usable conduit is in place, how much chasing and plastering is needed and whether the DB board is replaced. Your electrician will give a timeline with the quote.
Can I wire my own house and get it certified?
Fixed wiring must be done or supervised by a registered person who is willing to sign the COC. Most electricians will not certify wiring they did not install or supervise, so DIY wiring often has to be redone. It is safer and usually cheaper to use an electrician from the start.
Do I need a new COC after rewiring?
Yes. After a rewire the electrician tests the whole installation and issues a new certificate of compliance. Keep it with your property documents, because you will need it for insurance and when you sell the house.

House Wiring and Rewiring by province

House Wiring and Rewiring by city

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