Old (70s) style electric consumer unit

TDPIX

Hello,

The house we've bought was built approx 1971/1972 and the consumer unit is fairly old (we knew this when buying). I *think* the electric consumer unit is like this:

http://www.ces-electricalcontractors.co.uk/images/WylexFuseBoxBS3036.jpg

But I'm not 100% sure - will get photos later if needed.

A few days ago we had a tradesman (well, businessman who employs tradesman) come in about another job, part of which would involve relocating a couple of sockets.

He looked at the old consumer unit and said that "the whole thing needs changing; it would be illegal for an electrician to do work on any of the electrics in this house" as it stands.

We know the consumer unit needs upgrading at some point, but is this correct or was he just trying it on? We have an electrician in the family who's tested most of the electrics/sockets and he said they seem fine overall (albeit the unit needs upgrading in the future).

Thanks,
TDPIX

macman

No, he's trying it on. The CU met the standards at the time it was installed and there's nothing to indicate that it's unsafe. Though a modern CU with MCB's and RCD protection is always desirable.
I'd' get your family electrician to do the work instead.

ValHaller

TDPIX wrote: »

A few days ago we had a tradesman (well, businessman who employs tradesman) come in about another job, part of which would involve relocating a couple of sockets.

He looked at the old consumer unit and said that "the whole thing needs changing; it would be illegal for an electrician to do work on any of the electrics in this house" as it stands.

That is enough of a lie for me to kick such a tradesman out of the house on the spot.

While the consumer unit is far from ideal as it is

• As macman says, the fact that it met standards at the time of install is good enough
• If it is a genuine Wylex, you can upgrade to Cartridge fuses (fat plug type fuses which are electrically as good as circuit breakers) or MCBs very cheaply and no need to rewire anything.

macman

Good idea from ValHaller to upgrade to plug-in MCB's as a stopgap. I'd be more concerned about the general state of the circuitry and cabling, which is now over 40 years old and is unlikely to be adequate for modern demands in terms of socket numbers etc. You may also find that the lighting circuits are unearthed.
As above, any builder who tells porkies like that is clearly going to rip you off at every opportunity, so time to show him the door.

Justicia

TDPIX wrote: »

He looked at the old consumer unit and said that "the whole thing needs changing; it would be illegal for an electrician to do work on any of the electrics in this house" as it stands.

What a complete (conniving) muppet... :rotfl:

We have an electrician in the family who's tested most of the electrics/sockets and he said they seem fine overall (albeit the unit needs upgrading in the future).

Unlike, it would appear, this guy. Get him involved instead

Myser

As mentioned above, you can replace the old rewireable fuses with Mini Circuit-Breakers (MCB):

http://www.fastlec.co.uk/wylex-consumer-units-wylex-plug-in-mcbs-c-89_1954_395.html

Although, it's probably not worth the expense if you are going to replace the consumer unit soon.

Depending on the current state of the wiring, some circuits may need to be replaced when you upgrade the consumer unit to a modern 17th edition one.