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Electrical

complete rewire of a home - changing fuse boxes or not

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.05 PM

Our home is being rewired currently, but the existing fuse box is staying as is. (otherwise I am presuming it would get changed first, and then rewire would happen?) I read a lot of conflicting information when it comes to changing or not changing fuse boxes. Is the existing fuse box likely to comply with the regulations when the entire house is fully rewired, but fuse box stays as existing? The fuse box has wooden backing, and is enclosed in a wooden box. Or shall we wait for what building control officer says when he comes to inspect? (presumably they wouldn't issue a certificate if they weren't happy with the rewire?) I don't really know who should I be asking - building control or the electrician? Thank you all for responses and clarification.

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7 Answers

Electrical Safety Services

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dereham

Wooden backed fuseboxes = FIRE RISK! and are not compliant with BS7671:2008. A new consumer unit with Dual BSEN61008 RCD's and BSEN60898 circuit breakers must be fitted in order to comply with the current regulations. If the job gets completed and the old fusebox is left in situ then alarm bells should start ringing as its likely that you have hired cowboys and not Part P registered electricians!

Answered30 January 2014

V.A.Electrical services

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Derby

Or shall we wait for what building control officer says when he comes to inspect? (presumably they wouldn't issue a certificate if they weren't happy with the rewire?) If it was qualified electrician, he or she should provide Electrical Installation Certificate, it's an electrician's responsibility. If it was complete rewire than all electrical equipment (sockets, switches etc.) must be new and installation must be done by latest regulations. I can't agree with Andrew ( Room-by-Room). If replace Consumer unit by Electrical Safety Council Best Practice Guide, If do all necessary tests, If do paper works, it will take more then 2 hours. Vadims

Answered1 February 2014

Anonymous user

The electrician is clearly leaving this old board in place and running new cables in preparation for the new consumer unit. He will I am sure replace this old wooden backed Wylex board.

Answered4 February 2014

Anonymous user

Hi Normally on a full house rewire the fuse board is change as well to comply with regulation. If your rewiring your house I take it your cable are old i.e. old colours (red and black) Which without looking I'm presuming your fuse board doesn't comply. Unless you've upgraded your board recently and now decided to rewire the house. You need to ask your electrician what's going on and to keep you updated with the build. You will need a Split RCD fuse board. Your tails from the meter need to be 25mm. And you need a 10mm earth to your gas and water. Hope this helps Ian

Answered29 January 2014

Emelec Electrical Services

Rating: 5 out of 5

Wirral

Fuseboard is usually a last day job so that the cables can be dressed in properly. Sounds like you fuseboard will need changing, just ask the electrician on site.

Answered29 January 2014

Room-by-Room (UK) Ltd

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Hertford

Hello, If you are have a re-wire then sounds like you also need a new consumer unit. Shouldn't cost more than £100 for a new one and about 2 hours labour for a qualified electrician to install. Regards Andrew

Answered30 January 2014

Anonymous user

Building control don't have a clue. Speak to your electrician, I'm sure they know what they are doing. To raise a question like this means you don't trust the 'electrician' you have employed or lack of communication. Good luck.

Answered2 February 2014