Problem with consumer unit / fuse box

Gambler

We were in the kitchen this morning when all of a sudden the under pelmet lights went off. Then realised the toaster wasn't working, in fact everything plugged into a socket had gone off. Lights were still working though.

Checked the fuse box in the garage and the 'residual current device' was off. Turned it back on and everything seems to be working fine but it looks like something has happened within the fuse box as can be seen by the black on the plastic casing on the attached pic.

Am I looking at a replacement unit? Thanks.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Welsh_Gambler/DSC00047.jpg

sunshine54

i would get this looked at ASAP. it looks like a loose connection to that breaker.
That is all that needs replacing, it looks like the fault may have damaged the circuit breaker that feeds your sockets. The rest of the unit should be fine.
parts probabily £10, labour 1 hour. Ask them to test that circuit and the load, as well as replacing the breaker.

baldelectrician

That's one reason I don't buy Proteus consumer units.

Get it attended to as soon as possible - this is very urgent

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

sebastianj

Could it not be excessive current being drawn? I had an instance where the main fuse to the consumer unit was 75Amp or so but the consumer unit was providing a shower unit and an immersion heater 90 Amps. So when both of these were switched on, the mains fuse blew, cct breakers remain intact.
What is the current limit supplied to each household?
seb

djohn2002uk

sebastianj wrote: »

Could it not be excessive current being drawn? I had an instance where the main fuse to the consumer unit was 75Amp or so but the consumer unit was providing a shower unit and an immersion heater 90 Amps. So when both of these were switched on, the mains fuse blew, cct breakers remain intact.
What is the current limit supplied to each household?
seb

90Amps??? Approx 20KW???

SplanK

sebastianj wrote: »

What is the current limit supplied to each household?

isnt it 100amps??? on my mains board that comes in which counts the units i use there is a 100amp fuse there and others that I have seen are 100amps... when then feeds into the consumer unit... with again a 100amp main trip

savcab

sunshine54 wrote: »

i would get this looked at ASAP. it looks like a loose connection to that breaker.
That is all that needs replacing, it looks like the fault may have damaged the circuit breaker that feeds your sockets. The rest of the unit should be fine.
parts probabily £10, labour 1 hour. Ask them to test that circuit and the load, as well as replacing the breaker.

I agree get it checked asap and do not switch it on. I would however be wary of just teplacing the mcb. There may be damage to the busbar as overheating could have occured. I have see it bodged before, it is esential it is tested and checked.

do not use the circuit till its checked

savcab

baldelectrician wrote: »

That's one reason I don't buy Proteus consumer units.

i agree totally they are of terrible quality.

Gambler

Thanks for all the replies, an electrician is coming round tomorrow.

Mutton_Geoff

Agree with the others, looks like the wire has been loose in the MCB connector causing it to overheat.

sebastianj

SplanK wrote: »

isnt it 100amps??? on my mains board that comes in which counts the units i use there is a 100amp fuse there and others that I have seen are 100amps... when then feeds into the consumer unit... with again a 100amp main trip

Normally the fuse rating is reduced as you go up from the mains, 100A then 90A and then 45A and then 13A and 5A etc, the total must not exceed the mains 100A.
I think??
seb