Green Goo in Sockets and Switches
What It Is and Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
If you’ve discovered a strange green slime oozing from your sockets, switches, or consumer unit, you’re not alone.
This unsettling substance—known in the trade as “green goo”—is an all-too-common issue in properties with older electrical installations. But what exactly is it, and should you be concerned?
What is Green Goo?
Green goo is a sticky, jelly-like residue that seeps from the insulation of PVC cables. It’s caused by a chemical breakdown of the plasticiser—a substance used to make the cable insulation flexible. Over time, and particularly when exposed to heat or poor manufacturing processes, this chemical mix degrades and begins to ooze out.
It typically appears in properties wired in the late 1960s to early 1980s, when a specific type of cable insulation was widely used. The problem tends to show up behind switches, sockets, and inside fuse boxes—anywhere there’s older PVC cabling under load.
Click here for a more technical explanation of this phenomenon from the Prysmian Group
Is Green Goo Dangerous?
While green goo itself isn’t directly harmful to humans, it’s a clear sign that your electrical installation is deteriorating. The goo is conductive, meaning it can interfere with safe connections and, in some cases, increase the risk of:
- Short circuits
- Overheating
- Electrical faults
- Component corrosion
It’s also notoriously difficult to clean off safely and thoroughly. Simply wiping it away won’t solve the problem—and in fact, it can return unless the root cause (the degraded cable) is dealt with.
What Should You Do If You Find It?
If you notice green goo in your home or commercial property, do not attempt to fix or clean it yourself. The presence of goo is an early warning sign that your wiring may be unsafe or outdated.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Stop using the affected circuit if possible.
- Get a qualified electrician to inspect the wiring.
- Book an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to assess the condition of the full installation.
- Consider rewiring if the cabling is of the affected vintage and showing signs of degradation.
At Juice Electrical Services, we’ve dealt with numerous cases of green goo in East Sussex and Kent. We’ll give you honest advice, safe solutions, and carry out any required upgrades to bring your system back up to standard.
Still Seeing Green?
If you suspect your wiring has seen better days, don’t leave it to chance. Green goo might seem harmless now, but it’s often a sign of a much bigger issue behind the scenes.
Get in touch with Juice Electrical Services for a professional inspection and peace of mind.