Should I replace older Hager fuse box for newer metal kind.

anotherquestion

Hi there folks,

I have a plastic housing Hager fuse box (trip kind) that was probably put it 15 years or so ago, an electrician when doing something else for me mentioned that the newer kind has a metal housing, I more or less suggested that I would get him to change it when he has time, but on second thoughts I wonder if the newer kind has any other advantages other than the metal housing?
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Reason he was with me was he was doing the electrical for a new oil boiler I just got installed in the boiler house, and he isn't happy with the way the earthing system is for the new boiler.

Thanks for any advice.

tacpot12

There are no advantages to a metal consumer unit other than it is not flammable. If all the terminals in your current consumer unit are done up to the correct torque, then the plastic unit should be safe for many years. I wouldn't change it, but might ask him to check the tightness of the connections.

Rodders53

No need.
Millions have such CUs... 
They are 'deprecated' as they don't contain a fire and may (melting plastics) feed one IF (the rarest of rare event of) a fire starting inside the box happens.
The regs demand metal ones installed with fire-proof grommets and such.  They weren't retrospective as the risk is relatively small.

IF changing the Consumer Unit then a change to double-pole switched RCBOs for each circuit (residual current and over-current in one device) plus a SPD (surge protection device) would be the way to go.  A bit more cost - but most cost will be labour and testing.

Mr.Generous

Metal boxes for flame supression. Prior to this plastic boxes, which replaced ... metal boxes. The plastic were safer we were told, because of the lower risk of a shock. I have a house with an old Wylex metal box from the first time round, mcb's rather than fuses and an external RCD supply's the box. Doesn't meet the latest regs, but causes no issues on 5 yearly electrical inspection.

Risteard

Rodders53 said:

No need.
Millions have such CUs... 
They are 'deprecated' as they don't contain a fire and may (melting plastics) feed one IF (the rarest of rare event of) a fire starting inside the box happens.
The regs demand metal ones installed with fire-proof grommets and such.  They weren't retrospective as the risk is relatively small.

IF changing the Consumer Unit then a change to double-pole switched RCBOs for each circuit (residual current and over-current in one device) plus a SPD (surge protection device) would be the way to go.  A bit more cost - but most cost will be labour and testing.

Which Regulation required fireproof grommets? In fact, a domestic distribution board does not have to be metal. It must be made from a non-combustible material, or housed in a cabinet made from non-combustible material. Many forget this second option. Ferrous metal, e.g. steel, is given as an example of a non-combustible material. (This is limiting as no material is actually non-combustible, so it's difficult to argue for anything other than their stated example.)