Seeing an older fuse box often leads homeowners to assume it must be replaced immediately. In reality, age and appearance are only part of the picture. Its condition, protective devices and the condition of the wider installation need to be considered.
Reasons to have it assessed
Physical damage, overheating, recurring tripping or blown fuses, missing covers and concerns about RCD protection are good reasons to arrange an assessment. Very old equipment may also justify a wider inspection of the installation it protects.
RCD protection
Modern installations use RCDs or related protective devices to provide additional protection against certain electric-shock risks. If your consumer unit has no RCD protection, a registered electrician can advise on the installation as a whole and suitable options.
Replacement is not a cosmetic job
Changing a consumer unit involves connecting it to the existing circuits, so testing is important. Existing faults may need to be identified and dealt with rather than simply connecting old circuits to new equipment.
Ask what is actually required
A competent electrician should be able to explain why replacement is recommended, what testing is involved, what certification you will receive and whether other remedial work is required.
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