Could/Should I replace this old style fuse box??

martin2345uk

This seems to be of the old "actual fuse wire" variety, at least for 4 of them, not sure how 2 have been changed to switches, but if one of those wire ones blew I wouldn't have a scooby what to do!
Should/could I get this replaced with a more modern one?

victor2

You would get better protection against faults with a new panel. Why not get a quote from an electrician to install a new one?

Be warned though, you may have some appliances that, while working, have a small earth leakage and trip modern safety features, rendering the appliance useless to you. This happens a lot with electric heating devices such as electric kettles and steam irons.

Jeepers_Creepers

Yes - wired fuses are soooo bad aesthetics...

It could open up a whole can of electrical worms, tho' - any idea if your actual wiring is ok? If a sparky comes out to swap the CU, then they'll need to test your wiring and it may need attention (even if it doesn't need attention...).

I had one of these boards (or even older) in my very first flat. I found MCBs like yours to replace the wired fuses with, and it was fine for the 5 years I lived there.

I guess the simplest thing for you would be to replace the remaining 4 fuses. It ain't rocket science - I think just pull out the fuse and unscrew the base plate it sits on (one wee screw). Fit the MCB's base plate (screw in the same hole) and push in the MCB. Easy as that - with the POWER OFF, of course.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wylex-32a-sp-type-b-plug-in-mcb/87979

Water heater - 16A. Lights - 5A

What's the unlabelled one?

tacpot12

If you live with children or do DIY, I would suggest you replace it with a modern unit, as the extra safety features could save someone's life. If you live alone and never do any DIY, then the current fusebox is safe if enough for you to hold off replacing it when you need to add an extra circuit like for an electric vehicle. 

Jeepers_Creepers

He says "don't bother" - put the money towards a new CU in future. Good point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTXnSgpiCSw

rach_k

We had a similar looking fuse box.  Top tip - google how to replace the fuse wire NOW, before you lose electricity and are trying to figure it out on your phone and using a torch!  It's easy once you know how.

We did replace ours eventually and were lucky that our existing wiring didn't present any problems, but we knew going into it that modern boxes are more sensitive than what we were replacing so there was a good chance that additional work would be needed, maybe even a full rewire.  

Jeepers_Creepers

If you do decide to go 'replacement', Martin, and the sparky deems your wiring to be basically ok, then seriously consider having individual RMCBs which have the RCD protection built into each MCB, so if there is a dodgy circuit in your house with a bit of 'leakage', it'll only trip that circuit and not the whole house :-)

A 6 or 8-way CU shouldn't cost much.

FreeBear

rach_k said: Top tip - google how to replace the fuse wire NOW, before you lose electricity and are trying to figure it out on your phone and using a torch!

Looking closely at the picture, some of those holders appear to have cartridge fuses in them. Pull the holders out and go get some spares that match the size & rating.

Long term, a replacement is well worth doing. A split consumer unit will provide better protection without the hassle of messing with fuses (or fuse wire) should anything trip. Might need to rewire the house if the current wiring isn't up to scratch.

martin2345uk

Wow, talk of rewiring the house is rather terrifying  I take it that involves a fair bit of bashing through walls...!

Might get a sparky to come and have a look and see what he thinks then...

FreeBear

martin2345uk said: Wow, talk of rewiring the house is rather terrifying  I take it that involves a fair bit of bashing through walls...!

If walls need to be chased out for conduit and back boxes, it can get very messy. Floorboards would also need to be lifted.. A good opportunity to add extra sockets in each room. But if the wiring is in good condition, then a rewire is not essential. You will need a qualified electrician to fit a new consumer unit (it is NOT a DIY job), so he/she will be able to advise if a rewire is needed.

Risteard

Jeepers_Creepers said:

If you do decide to go 'replacement', Martin, and the sparky deems your wiring to be basically ok, then seriously consider having individual RMCBs which have the RCD protection built into each MCB, so if there is a dodgy circuit in your house with a bit of 'leakage', it'll only trip that circuit and not the whole house :-)

A 6 or 8-way CU shouldn't cost much.

There's no such thing as an "RMCB". What you are referring to is an RCBO - residual current circuit breaker with integral overcurrent protection. Incidentally, the Wiring Regulations removed the term "MCB" in 2008 - these are now correctly referred to simply as circuit breakers for BS7671 installations.