In many cases you can replace a fuse box without rewiring YES. As your local electrician in Ascot, we are here to explain what may be needed when replacing a fuse box and why.
Let me elaborate.
What is a Fuse Box?
The fuse box is known by other names too, they all mean the same thing generally and refer to the control centre of the electrical system.
- Fuse Board
- Trip Switch Box
- Electrical Panel
- Consumer Unit
The box contains all the technology and equipment to keep the homes wiring safe, the risk of electric shock minimal and to decrease the chance of fire. The box also has the responsibility of dividing up the electrical supply into smaller supplies known as electrical circuits.
There are some differences between a fuse box and consumer unit but for this article we are focused on whether or not rewiring needs to take place in order to replace the unit.
Can an old fuse box be replaced?
An old fuse box can be replaced with a modern consumer unit that has all the latest safety technology BUT, there may be some problems.
Older fuse box technology is nowhere near as good as the equipment that is available today and there may be hidden defects, electrical faults and wiring problems that mean some electrical circuits may have to remain disconnected for safety reasons.
Installing a consumer unit onto old wiring may result in the new unit tripping off or not even turning on in the first place.
How do we avoid this situation?
To avoid the issue of defects affecting the new consumer unit operating properly, we strongly recommend that a periodic electrical inspection is carried out to produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report.
Once the report has been produced, it will tell us if any work needs to be carried out on the wiring in order to be able to safely install the new consumer unit. In the worst cases, the wiring may need replacing which may result in the need for a rewire but in many cases, minor remedial works will be necessary to install the replacement consumer unit.
Is it common to need work doing?
Where professional electricians have wired or re-wired a property, there are seldom issues. This is also true for older wiring installations that have not been touched since they were installed.
The more work that has been carried out on a DIY basis or changes that have been added poorly onto wiring, the more likely it is that there will be work needed to bring the installation up to standard.
If the wiring is very old indeed, then it may be time to have it replaced. The electrical testing will determine the condition of the wiring and what needs to be put right.
Is an old Fuse Box dangerous?
Just because a fuse box is old does not mean that it is dangerous or illegal. There are a few misconceptions out there regarding older style fuse boxes.
The real risk with older fuse boxes is that they do not detect many electrical faults or hazardous electrical situations where newer ones do.
A newer fuse box can detect and, in some cases, protect against issues such as:
- Electrical Arcing
- Sparking Wires
- Electric Shocks Occurring
- Severe Water Ingress into Electrics
- Overload
- Short Circuit
- Earth Faults
- Electrical Surges in Supply
- Electrical Fires Starting
Older fuse boxes do not have the level of technology that newer ones do and there is much more protection with the newer technology. You should check that if you have an old fuse box that your home insurance is happy with it, insurers may specify that fuse box or consumer unit technology needs to meet certain standards.
Thames Valley Electricians - Your Local Electrician in Ascot
If you are concerned or worried about a replacement fuse box, the age of your electrical system or other electrical issues then get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.
