Does this look like a fuse box? Does it look it needs replacing?

pichon

We are FTBs who are waiting for exchange soon.
We did a final inspection and had a look at the electricity board as it was pointed out as dated in the survey.
My husband is no DIYer and I also have no clue.

I have taken photos of what looked like the consumer unit.
Is this the consumer unit and is this very dated to the point of it needing to be replaced urgently?

http://postimg.org/image/4jenr6dzp/
http://postimg.org/image/8nzlsn9oz/
http://postimg.org/image/dhwd4wdb1/

I am sorry for such a simple question but we don't have anyone to ask... Thank you for your input and advice in advance.

paddyrg

I'd get a spark to replace the main box and give the rest of the house electrics a once-over.

pichon

paddyrg wrote: »

I'd get a spark to replace the main box and give the rest of the house electrics a once-over.

Thank you very much for the reply but I am sorry I don't understand what you mean as I'm totally dumb in this matter. :embarasse

Do you mean you recommend that we rewire the whole house?
"Spark" to replace the main box?

Sorry for sounding too stupid...

Laurensalive

This is an old fuse box. I agree get an electrician to check all over. When he installs a new fuse box, he should put a sticker on it, saying when the next inspection is due for this fuse box. Plus installation date.
My fuse box was checked in 2013, next inspection due in 2017.

thescouselander

The consumer unit in the first picture (the large gray box) could do with updating. With any luck a complete rewire won't be needed but it's impossible to say for certain without seeing the installation.

pichon

Thank you for your kind replies.

We weren't even sure whether this was indeed a fuse box because it didn't look like anything we've had before.
I guess this is what comes with buying an old property.

Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.
I just hope this won't put a huge dent on our budget!

Ant555

You will find the fuses themselves under the grey plastic cover to the left of the switch on picture 1. The (plastic?) grey screw at the top is what releases the cover.

Cornucopia

It's not new or tidy, but I've seen a lot worse.

If you feel confident enough to do it, you could take a picture of it with the front cover open showing the fuses or circuit breakers (as described by Ant555 above). This would allow the MSE experts to give you a better idea of the age of it and how well maintained it is.

You could flip the main switch to off when doing this, if it makes you feel safer. In fact, I would recommend doing this with a system you are unfamiliar with. This will turn off the power to the entire house/flat.

pichon

Thanks again for all your help.
We took the photo during our final inspection prior to exchange, so we will be able to take more photos when we move in in a few weeks' time. I will post the pics as soon as I can when we get the access.
The house is in a different town, but if we get to go into the house before then, I will post the pics sooner.
Thank you so much!!!!

firefox1956

Leave it alone................

bondy01

Fuse box looks similar to the one in my parents place. If you remove the cover I suspect there could be 4 rewireable fuses under there. A bit dated but the meter looks recent.