Wylex 4-way fuse replacement

DREKLY

Hi, I have a perfectly ok fuse box in my two bed bungalow,
but have been told I can easily update to mcb breakers that

just plug in as replacements for the 4 fuses, one is for lighting, the others for 13Amp outlets throughout.


Is this an acceptable way of updating to circuit breakers,
without the huge expense of a completely new consumer unit, with all the associated expensive labour costs, etc.etc.:eek:

Ectophile

It's a popular upgrade for old Wylex consumer units. Just unplug the old fuses, and plug in breakers of the same rating (make sure you order the right ones). It looks like these breakers are still available.


Be aware that the new breakers stick out a lot more than the old fuses. the screw-on cover that should now be covering the fuses probably won't fit. The usual bodge is to cut a hole in the cover so that the breakers poke out.


While it's an upgrade on the old rewirable fuses, it won't bring the consumer unit up to the latest standards. Modern consumer units have RCDs in them for additional safety.

Risteard

Just to add, whilst circuit breakers are handy to reset instead of replacing blown fuse wire, they do not actually increase the protection. As stated residual current protection against Earth faults would provide a real safety benefit. This will not be achieved by replacing BS 3036 fuses with circuit breakers.

armchaireconomist

Please make sure you have an RCD in the installation - It may save your life. They are available as in-line standalone units.

FreeBear

Risteard wrote: »

Just to add, whilst circuit breakers are handy to reset instead of replacing blown fuse wire, they do not actually increase the protection.

However, using MCBs in place of fuse wire reduces the chance of someone using the incorrect rating of fuse wire. Or worse, a bit of tin foil or copper wire...