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

phoenix_w

DandelionPatrol wrote: »

Plainly, you have never looked at the fuse characteristic curves and compared the difference between rewireables and the alternatives.

Don't see how that has any bearing on the OP. Fuse wire will continue to protect the circuits in the event of a fault (IIRC fuses break quicker than MCB's for overcurrent) and won't cost £50 (based on my experience of ~£8.50 each for 6 wylex plug in MCB replacements, not to mention labour which will at least double that cost since replacing the holders is notifiable work).

A CU replacement 'round here is ~£400 board & labour. I'd rather put the cash towards one of them.

The money saving thing would be to keep the fuses as-is until a board swap out. Adding MCB's is convenient, I don't deny, but won't prevent anyone getting electrocuted and likely won't make anything safer in a house that has functioning electrics that have lasted 30+ years.

DandelionPatrol

phoenix_w wrote: »

Don't see how that has any bearing on the OP. Fuse wire will continue to protect the circuits in the event of a fault (IIRC fuses break quicker than MCB's for overcurrent) and won't cost £50 (based on my experience of ~£8.50 each for 6 wylex plug in MCB replacements, not to mention labour which will at least double that cost since replacing the holders is notifiable work).

A CU replacement 'round here is ~£400 board & labour. I'd rather put the cash towards one of them.

The money saving thing would be to keep the fuses as-is until a board swap out. Adding MCB's is convenient, I don't deny, but won't prevent anyone getting electrocuted and likely won't make anything safer in a house that has functioning electrics that have lasted 30+ years.

Cartridge fuses may cut off more quickly than MCB's and both cut off more quickly than rewireables. It is rewireables I am suggesting replacing. With cartridge fuses or MCB's

Rewireable fuses are in general just not up to the job. They are so not up to the job that when you replace a 15A rewireable, it is normally acceptable to replace it with a 20A MCB or cartridge fuse.

The idea of fuses and MCB's is not primarily to prevent anyone getting a shock - that is a job done by earthing and keeping your fingers out. The idea is to prevent long slow overloads which can lead to a fire. Which is exactly where MCBs and cartridge fuses score over rewireables.

Ben84

It looks like a fairly old Wylex fuse box. They were made over a wide range from around the 1960s to 1990s. Millions of houses I'm sure still have them. We have one. I wouldn't get too worried about it, but it's sensible to have wiring checked for safety when the condition is unknown. If you find it was installed properly and hasn't been damaged or deteriorated since, it's ok. They're not innately dangerous, just old and have been superseded by newer technology.

I realise there are benefits to replacing them, but most of us in the UK relied on these things at home and work for many decades of our lives without problems (many still do), so no need to worry excessively. What you have is not weird or unusual, or exceptionally old.

There's one thing I do differently now however, I make sure to use a plug in RCD with the electric lawnmower and other electrical garden tools.

I'd also find out how to replace the fuses, perhaps from the electrician who inspects it if you seek advice, so that if the power goes out you know what to do in advance. Trying to figure it out in the middle of the night with no help wouldn't be good.

Ectophile

I'd just throw in that rewirable fuses are made to British Standard BS 3036:1958 http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000000001070. That standard is still in force and has not been withdrawn by the British Standards Institution. There's really no need to panic about replacing fuses that still meet a current British Standard.

That said, the box is a few years old, and the installation as a whole won't meet current wiring standards.

DandelionPatrol

Ectophile wrote: »

here's really no need to panic about replacing fuses that still meet a current British Standard.

I agree, don't panic. Replace them calmly and benefit from electrical protection for less than £50.

They will not improve protection against sticking your fingers into a live light fitting, but you get most of the other benefits of a modern consumer unit.

But, ectophile, if your argument is predicated on the fuses meeting current standards, well true enough, BS3036 may still be a valid standard. But the standard which allowed them to be used has been withdrawn, so the validity of BS3036 is neither here nor there.

theEnd

When I moved into my flat I had an electrician check everything. I think it was around £150 and took 2-3 hrs.

I ended up spending £4k+ in the end, but had nearly everything replaced (my setup was much older), plus extras like power in the garden and some internal/external sensor lights. Probably worth it in the long run and definitely do before you get stuck into any other major changes.

Risteard

DandelionPatrol wrote: »

But, ectophile, if your argument is predicated on the fuses meeting current standards, well true enough, BS3036 may still be a valid standard. But the standard which allowed them to be used has been withdrawn, so the validity of BS3036 is neither here nor there.

What do you mean? BS 7671:2008 (2015) still permits the installation of BS 3036 rewireable fuses even today.

DandelionPatrol

Risteard wrote: »

What do you mean? BS 7671:2008 (2015) still permits the installation of BS 3036 rewireable fuses even today.

Sorry, my bad. They are however, hedged around with more restrictions on new work, such that there is no point in using them.

AIUI now, BS3036 are not rated for the fault level possible on some domestic installations, so they should only be used after consideration of fault level.

If you see them, get rid of them is the best advice.

Sammydog

We had the old wire type fuses and decided to get it changed for a newer unit a couple of weeks ago in our 40yr old 3 bed.


New consumer unit, replacing sockets and light switches in most rooms (some had already been done) and something about earthing a gas or water pipe (don't hold me to that!) came to £450 inc parts, labour and all work registered.


The electrician checked the wiring and confirmed it would be wasting money to rewire the whole house as it was still in sound condition which is just as well as we've just sold the house!

C_Mababejive

Risteard wrote: »

Nobody said it didn't work. That doesn't change the fact that the installation lacks additional protection and quite possibly many other safety concerns, and is plainly dated.

I didnt say it doesnt work either...