Do I Need a New Fuse box?

This is a question that we are asked often. It is not often a straightforward answer so we always try to advise by comparison to other life situations. I like cars. Lots of people have a car and that means that lots of people understand the basics of how they work, their features and so on. 

1) Let us compare with cars for example

Let’s look at the photograph of the fuse box here. The last ones of this type were installed in the mid 1980s. This means that as of today at the time of writing this blog, the fuseboard here is, at best around 40 years old. Let us think about that for a moment…..
The fuseboard (more accurately now, consumer unit) is the brains of the homes electrical system. It has likely offered at least 40 years of continuous service if not more, has likely never been inspected, tested, or had the connections checked and we are considering letting this box which is predominantly responsible for our electrical safety continue to protect us in our homes.

This is a vital part of an electrical system that has never been turned off, the electrical system in our homes will run 24 hours a day continuously for decades and will likely, have never been checked. Now, back to cars……

If we had a 1980s vehicle, we would expect there to be four wheels (ignoring the three wheeled variety) an engine and some seats. All of this gets us from A to B. The car will do its job. The modern car also does its job, gets us from A to B.

The key difference between the two vehicles is SAFETY. DO I NEED A NEW FUSEBOX? Well, it depends which fuse box you would rather be sat in when you crashed it. 😊

2) Modern Cars and Modern Fuse Boxes

Modern cars have crumple zones, seat belts all round, anti-locking brake systems, airbags in front, sides and head level, disc brakes instead of drums, lane departure warning systems, side impact protection systems, force dissipation cages that spread the force of an impact, modern tyre technology for better grip and braking, seat belts that peel away to minimise impact effects on our bodies and so on. 

A modern fuse box / consumer unit has many features that are fantastic… when there is a fault. A correctly installed modern consumer unit (and professionally inspected electrical system) will have many safety features that outstrip the abilities of their counterparts from the 80s and before. 

These days we have electric shock protection devices that prevent fatal electric shock that would have previously injured or killed. Modern Circuit breakers that disconnect power supply to sockets and lights in a fraction of a second. Back in the day it could take much longer for a fuse wire to blow. Surge protection devices that help elongate the life of sensitive electronic equipment in our homes, prevent over voltages from damaging our homes cabling and Arc Fault Detection Devices that prevent electrical arcing which helps to prevent fires and damage to wiring and homes. 

3) Do I need a new fuse box? 

Not necessarily but an electrician cannot normally add anything onto a system that old. Want a nice new kitchen?  Need to add or move sockets? You need a new fuse box. Want an electric shower and don’t have one there at the moment? You need a new fuse box. Want some outdoor garden lights and need an electrician to install all the cable etc? You need a new fuse box. Almost any electrical work that is carried out in your home requires that the existing system is safe and suitable for the altered circumstances. 

You don’t necessarily need a new fuse box but I would rather have the peace of mind of knowing that there is modern technology protecting the home and its occupants. A 40-year-old fuse box has seen its day and it is certainly time to consider the important safety aspects of a new one. 

4) What are the advantages of a consumer unit over a fuse box?

A fuse box is older technology that will generally only protect against simple electrical faults. A consumer unit is much more modern and offers electric shock protection, protection against arcing, protection against fires and surge protection that may save your electrical installation and appliances from damage in the event of supply surges.

We have written many articles that are free to check out here:

• What is a consumer unit? ( https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/blog/consumer-units-what-are-they )
• What are the parts inside a consumer unit and what do they do? ( https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/blog/whats-inside-consumer-unit-and-what-do-parts-do )
• Biggest consumer unit question and answer article on the internet ( https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/blog/consumer-unit-fuse-box-biggest-q-internet )

5) When does an electrical system need updating?

In older homes the electrical system was never designed to cope with the new appliances and electrical devices that we now have in modern homes. Older fuse boxes would generally have between 4 and 6 fuses to cope with the requirements of the home at the time it was built.

These days we install a consumer unit into a new home and wire in many more electrical circuit for the home. The advantage of this is that the electric panel (consumer unit) is able to cope with more plug sockets, switches, and other electrical loads without the risk of electrical overload as was the case with an old fuse panel. 

If you have an old breaker box then it is definitely a good idea to consult with a qualified electrician to ask if it will be possible to upgrade to a consumer unit. Not only will this offer far more protection for the electrical wires in your home and the occupants of your home but will also offer much more convenience in the event of faulty wiring or short circuits. 

With a new consumer unit, there is no inconvenience of a blown fuse. An old fuse panel would require that the fuse wire be replaced whenever there was a power surge or an electrical load too large that caused the wire or fuse to blow. These days we can often just turn a switch back on and all is sorted. 

There is also a reduced risk of electrical shock and electrical fires with a new consumer unit. Our home electrical needs these days often demand higher amperages and old fuse boxes were often only able to cope with 60 amps of electrical current. 

6) The amount of electricity we use

Years ago, we did not use as much electricity as we do now. These days we have electric showers, electric cookers and other large appliances, electric vehicle charging points and many electrical devices that we connect and use in our homes. 
A modern home’s fuse box may not be able to cope and that is one of the main reasons that a consumer unit may be necessary. Quite simply, the electrical demand on the wiring system is much greater now than in decades gone by. 
When we require this much power, the fuse box cannot cope in many circumstances. A new consumer unit will allow for a greater number of circuits, 100 amps of available power (assuming that the mains supply allows) and much more convenience by splitting the electrical installation into different circuits. A 100-amp consumer unit is much more capable than an old 60-amp fuse box!

7) What are the Most Important Reasons for upgrading?

There are many reasons to upgrade an old wiring system with a new consumer unit and there are:

• Fire protection
• Arc Protection
• Electric Shock Protection (By Residual Current Device https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/blog/trip-switch-rcd )
• Ability to install additional circuits
• Prevent Circuit Overloads
• Surge Protection for wiring and modern appliances

8) What happens when the old fuse board is replaced?

If you are considering a fuse board replacement then any professional electricians will first check that your electrical wiring is in good working order. Each of the different circuits should be checked to ensure there are no hidden faults or dangers. 

Testing will be carried out to (electrical installation condition report) ensure that there is low risk of loose connections. Poor connections impeded the flow of electricity around the home’s electricity system and result in overheating and an increased risk of fire. 

Once the testing and inspection has been carried out on the electrical circuits, the new fuse board (consumer unit) can be installed. If there are issues that require fixing prior to this being installed then your licensed electrician should be able to give you a quote and outline what needs repairing or replacing. 

Modern Circuit Breaker Panels (consumer units) are very sensitive. Where older technology such as cartridge fuses would not detect a variety of electrical faults, modern consumer units will pick up many more faults.

Once the new consumer unit is installed, you will receive an electrical installation certificate for the work and a building control notification certificate. 

9) Summary

When replacing older fuse boards, there can be issues that require sorting out before the new consumer unit can be fitted. This is why it’s a good reason to have an electrical inspection carried out beforehand and this is something that we always insist upon to our customers. 

Electrical upgrades are one of the most cost-effective upgrades that you can carry out in your home. The amount of power available, the reduced fire hazard risk and minimized inconvenience in the event of a fault will reduce the possibility of power outages in your home. 

If you have any questions regarding new consumer units then feel free to WhatsApp us from the main page, use our contact form or give us a call and we will gladly assist.