Cost of Household Fuse Box

I changed the original consumer unit like you had as it was tripping at every thunderstorm. The new one has many more circuits and never have a problem with it now.
 
Important make sure who carries out the work has the right credentials, these must also leave you with an up to date certificate of fitting.
 
I seem to remember from somewhere that there is a very sound H&S reason for replacing the old type of fuse boards with MCB's, and that is to do with the tripping time of an MCB being less than the time of a human heart beat.
I'm sure an electrical engineer could provide a better explanation or there is one on the internet.
 
gannet said:
Have all the circuits been tested and certified?

When our house was re-wired I was shocked to see the state of some of the wires that came out - wires lashed together and taped around rather than using a connection block. Previous owners obviously never had an issue with it though. Fuse (cartridge type as you describe) for upstairs removed... circuit still somehow had power :o

My point is, just because something isn't tripping, doesn't mean it is safe! Our new wiring and consumer unit only trips when there is actually a problem so it isn't that sensitive.

Just my 0.02p ;)
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Thanks for the relies :)

Gannet, no the circuits haven't been tested and certified. It was just that I asked The British Gas guy who fitted a hive last week and was an electrician about fitting a consumer box and he asked how old the wiring was. He checked a light switch and mentioned it should be ok and not need a rewire for fitting a new consumer board. I'm just a little worried if had one fitted it would throw up any problems requiring a rewire lol. I've known the house since it was built as it was my parents and I've recently inherited it. I'm just going through the process of doing updates for things like meters and the fusebox but didn't really fancy doing a complete rewire if not completely necessary. I guess I could have a basic check done by an electrcian and go from there.

Tim.
 
ekimj10 said:
I seem to remember from somewhere that there is a very sound H&S reason for replacing the old type of fuse boards with MCB's, and that is to do with the tripping time of an MCB being less than the time of a human heart beat.
I'm sure an electrical engineer could provide a better explanation or there is one on the internet.
Click to expand...

Thats correct but thats not to say the old type fuseboxes are unsafe as they conformed to standards of the day when originally fitted. It's more convienience that anything as its easier to to do a reset than mess about with fusewire should a fuse blow. The 5amp is a nightmare to replace especially in the dark lol which is the fuse for the lights.

Tim.
 
Then I would say a check of all switches and outlets would give you a bigger picture of what if anything does need doing ;)
 
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