With no RCD protection, no fuse wire to hand and perhaps no experience of how to rewire a fuse, here are the risks of not upgrading your old fuse box:
1. When fuses blow in an old fuse box, they can be very tricky to replace, assuming that you have the correct fuse wire to hand. But who does these days? Then if this occurs when it’s dark, it won’t be easy to replace by candle light. Can you rewire a fuse?
2. If you have an old fuse box, you will very likely have aging house wiring, switches and sockets. As these materials age, they break down, become brittle, break, and hence increase the risk electric shock or even fire.
3. Often I’ve found fuses rewired with thick copper wire – if yours are like this, then you’ll have absolutely no fault protection which exposes yourself and the house wiring to great risk in the event of an electrical fault. Consider yourself lucky if you’ve never had such a problem!
4. If you have one of these in your home, it’s quite likely that you’ve never had the circuits tested nor the main earthing verified. If there are cable faults and/or inadequate (or non-functioning) earthing, again you’re at considerable risk in the event of an electrical fault.
5. If you upgrade or add a new circuit, or have new circuits for loft extensions, kitchen or bathroom refurbishments, it’s mandatory to upgrade your fuse box to a consumer unit with full RCD protection.
Your old fuse box does not have RCD protection which protects people from electric shock in fault situations.
6. If you’re a Landlord, you must ensure by law that your electrical system is safe for use, including your fuse box. Is your old fuse box safe? An EICR would verify the situation »
The Benefits of Fuse Box Upgrading
Flick a switch to re-enable a circuit rather than replace fuse wire
Full (per circuit) RCD protection protecting you and your family from electric shock
All existing circuits will be checked at the time of installation ensuring that any other issues are identified
Easy to test, maintain and upgrade
Compliant with modern standards
Surge Protective Devices now come as standard which protect your home’s wiring against external surges.
As mentioned above, if you upgrade or add a new circuit, or have new circuits for loft extensions, kitchen or bathroom refurbishments, it’s mandatory to upgrade your fuse box to a consumer unit with full RCD protection.
What is an RCD and What is RCD Protection?
An RCD, or Residual Current Device, is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It can also provide some protection against electrical fires. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide.
If for example you cut your lawnmower cable or an appliance develops a particular type of fault (known as an earth fault)- the power cuts within 1/30th second to save lives!
Lets Talk About Upgrading Your
Old Fuse Box or Consumer Unit
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