wylex rewirable fuse replacement

doningtonphil

Hello

I have an old wylex consumer unit which has two fuses- sockets and lights. The cartridges are rewirable fuses.

Just recently 2 GU10 bulbs have blown on consecutive days n a light fitting. Both times they literally blew- showerng glass all over the floor. (They are from a box of B&Q value bulbs - 12 for 8 quid or something).

The second time, all the lights on the circuit stopped working. I have checked the consumer unit and they are old rewirable fuses. I replaced the wire and the circuit is working again.

went to B&Q to get a replacement cartridge with a trip switch n it. It looks the same except the two prongs are too far apart so does nt appear compatible.

So here are my questions:

1) Is the fact that bulbs keep blowing ( we have got through most of the value box) down to cheap bulbs or another potential fault?

2) Should bulbs ever blow up like that? If not, is it due to cheap bulbs or an even more serious fault

3)Can you buy trip switch cartridges to fit my wylex coonsumer unit(ie with prongs closer together. Everything else looks identical).

I know advice about changing the consumer unit may be offered but it is in my wifes shop which she may be moving from in the near future so a shorter term fix is needed.

Thanks in advance for your advice

fluffpot

I never advise buying cheap bulbs - you get what you pay for. It might be why they go so quickly, but it could be a fault - if you're worried, get an electrician in to take a look. I don't think that they should be blowing up though - maybe you should take them back and get a refund to spend on better ones.

Are the bulbs the right wattage for the light fitting? - check as some may be 35W and if your bulbs are 50W then they will be getting over hot and failing.

In terms of the fuse/trip switch, the new one should have come with a fuse carrier (base) which has slots the same distance apart. Make sure that is it 5 or 6 Amps rated - the fuse carrier will be white. Switch off the main switch of your fuse board - check then by trying the lights and sockets - unscrew the old fuse carrier and fit the new one - then the new trip switch will fit OK

doningtonphil

thanks fluffpot

the fuse carrier looks identical to the one that is on the board except the holes for the prongs are further apart.

The prongs from the fuse go right through the carrier and into the consumer unit so the prongs on the new fuse and carrier dont match the consumer unit

fluffpot

They will fit, promise you! - they are just made so you can't put a fuse into the carrier for the trip switch.

Try it - just make sure you switch off the main switch first!

doningtonphil

thanks, will try it.

so the slots on the consumer unit are oversized to accept the prongs from my existing rewirable fuse of the more widely spaced prongs on the new fuse?

ormus

screwfix sell em all. ask for wylex type B mcb,s.
direct replacement.
about 9 quid each.

27col

Once the mcb's are fitted the cover of the consumer unit will not fit, as they protrude more than the old rewireable fuses. But you don't really need a cover anyway.

fluffpot

Yes Phil - that's correct
Good luck, let us know how you get on

baldelectrician

Your wife must have a fair electricity bill for the shop

1 x GU10 for 10 hours a day costs £67 per year to run- change it to a decent LED GU10 lamp (around £10-£15) and the cost becomes £6.70 per year

And you could take the lamps with you when you give the shop up

Buying cheap costs more.

DVardysShadow

doningtonphil wrote: »

thanks, will try it.

so the slots on the consumer unit are oversized to accept the prongs from my existing rewirable fuse of the more widely spaced prongs on the new fuse?

Yes, the consumer unit slots will take any fuse or circuit breaker up to 30Amp. The individual place covers are sized to prevent a fuse which is too big being paced in a lower rated slot. It seems that they are also positioned to prevent rewireables being swapped for MCBs

doningtonphil

Thanks all.

Will try to replace with mcb. Sorry fluff for sounding dubious, will bow to your superior knowledge.

Bald- that does sound a lot, especially as there are 9 lamps overall. Can you recommend decent brand/source for leds? Are they as bright?