230v AC Electrical Query: Why do I get voltage on an open wire?

[Geoff.D]

Had a friend looked at it, it's currently safe, what needs to happen according to him is a big job to have the entire board changed, I wanted him to maybe also rewire the place to modern standards, the board has some rectangular blocks for fuses instead of trip switches. Current tenants don't want to move out for the job to be done so... they also kept extending contract, if they're happy, I'm OK.

Too lazy to look for the fault is he?
Just because it is old does not mean that it has to be replaced.
Show the wiring is responsible first.THEN say it is a wiring job.
If that fuse holder is faulty replace it. If not, so what.

 

[Kawak]

Too lazy to look for the fault is he?
Just because it is old does not mean that it has to be replaced.
Show the wiring is responsible first.THEN say it is a wiring job.
If that fuse holder is faulty replace it. If not, so what.

So he is trying something with me? Do you think I need to get a second opinion? Also, I have never seen that type of box before, is that even to code? Or is it not dangerous? I'm no electrician, just concerned now that this has come up.

 

[Geoff.D]

So he is trying something with me? Do you think I need to get a second opinion? Also, I have never seen that type of box before, is that even to code? Or is it not dangerous? I'm no electrician, just concerned now that this has come up.

Just because you have never seen it means nothing. It was the standard before, and still is until breaks.
The way to find electrical problems is test an then correct, which includes replacement if necessary.
So that aircon needs to be fixed, that earth issue had to be fixed, that ELCB needs to verified etc.
I get the horries when someone tells me the only way is to replace everything.

 

[Kawak]

Just because you have never seen it means nothing. It was the standard before, and still is until breaks.
The way to find electrical problems is test an then correct, which includes replacement if necessary.
So that aircon needs to be fixed, that earth issue had to be fixed, that ELCB needs to verified etc.
I get the horries when someone tells me the only way is to replace everything.

Noted, will ask another electrician to take a look, maybe the entire place needs to be checked, I am the one that believe its the aircon, maybe something else is also problematic. Thanks.