Hi
I have a late 1960's house which has a MK metal consumer unit with a main on/off switch and four fuses inside it. You have to close the switch and then take the lid off to get at the fuses which are 1 X 5A for all lighting, 1 x 15A for electric immersion heater (not used as now have a combi boiler), 1 x 30A for all ring main sockets and 1 x 30A for cooker in kitchen (not used as we have a gas hob and gas oven). I.e. only wires for these 4 circuits go into the consumer unit and it is not possible to break out into more circuits e.g. upstairs and downstairs without rewiring the house. The house wiring is PVC and as far as I am aware there are no problems with the existing wiring and all accessory fittings.
My only issue is that if I want to isolate any circuit for any reason e.g. to replace a light switch or socket, I have to switch everything off, I can't just pull a fuse out. Although I don't need to do this very often, I find it tedious as I can't do any changes in the dark without using torches and have to remember to turn off computers first and reset some time dependent electrical devices on completion. Also, I am concerned if the main switch were to fail with only being operated infrequently.
So my question is 1) is it possible to just replace the consumer unit with a new one that just has a main on/off switch and four miniature circuit breakers that can be operated independently of the main on/off switch ? or 2) if this is not possible and it can only be replaced with a consumer unit fitted with a RCD as well as MCB's is this OK with just my four existing circuits. There is only myself and my wife in the house, both in our late sixties and we use very little electrical or electronic equipment.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
A consumer unit replacement would generally be possible, and would be recommended if you currently have a fusebox.
Some work may need to be done to bring the installation up to standard alongside the upgrade.
You are however, best to seek out advice from a local electrician, who can come look and advise on the best way to proceed, without viewing the installation, it would be difficult to say how much work would need to be done to accommodate the upgrade!
Callum @ EcoSpark
Answered22 October 2020
4
Anonymous user
Hello,
Given you have only four circuits, I would recommend that you have a Lewdon CCU with a main switch installed, along with Lewdon Type A RCBO’s.
I would recommend having an EICR completed firstly, then have the CCU upgraded, along with what ever else that might need attention, outlined in the EICR.
Good luck with it,
Carl.
I would advise a condition report be carried out first to check the general condition of the installation. Then installation of a new unit with individual rcbos for circuit protection. Current regulations require RCD protection for all domestic circuits and rcbos are by far the best way to achieve this.
Answered23 October 2020
0
Anonymous user
From your description you have a Wylex rewireable fusebox which was probably the most common fusebox in use when your house was built. You can get plug-in mcbs for these that are a straight swap for the fuses. You would replace the red ones with 32A, the blue 15A with a 16A and the white with 6A. This would not improve things much in terms of modern safety devices but it would give you more convenience in that the circuit can just be switched off instead of needing to pull the fuse out or rewire it if it pops. That would be a simple and cheap improvement. Alternatively you could get the fuseboard replaced with a modern consumer unit but that would be expensive, around £500 depending on the type you are offered. Modern CUs have safety features that weren't available at the time so its up to you if you want to have those improvements.
Answered23 October 2020
0
Anonymous user
For everybody's peace of mind you should have a minimum of SPD, RCD, and MCBs. If you are in a terrace or heritage property or you have any other kind of high risk installation you should also have AFDDs.
They aren’t that expensive in the grand scheme of things and do serve very useful purposes.
You are not obligated to update the fusebox, but you really should.
Like Carl mentioned an EICR beforehand would very be useful.
