Fuse box master switch

eck1 · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:37 am Post Subject: Fuse box master switch

I was about to remove some sockets the other day and instead of having to work out which fuse was the correct one to remove, I just switched off the master switch - nothing happened! All the lights stayed on. I can remove individual fuses but it strikes me as a bit odd (and possibly dangerous). Any ideas on what is wrong or how to fix it. It's a fairly old-looking fuse-box (don't know how old as I've just moved in).

dingbat · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:03 pm Post Subject:

Are you sure there is only one main switch? You don't think you may have turned off the main switch on an old economy seven fusebox, do you? (It will be coloured white and is probably full off blue, 15A fuses).)

You should have a service head, which contains the main fuse, then the meter/s and then any isolators/consumer units/fuseboxes. If you are sure there is only one main switch, but it doesn't isolate the circuits in the house whereas pulling the fuses does, then your main switch is b*ggered and you're in for some expense.

Or maybe what you think is a main isolator is in fact for a single circuit, perhaps for a cooker or shower?

Call in a spark and get a professional opinion.

eck1 · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:50 pm Post Subject:

thanks.

I'll have a look again tonight to double check I'm not just being dim!

plugwash · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 3:56 pm Post Subject:

so pulling fuses in the same fusebox as the nonfunctional main switch cut off some stuff?

can you get us a complete photo of your fuseboard area?

eck1 · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:27 am Post Subject:

Sorry, I was being dim. I looked a bit harder and found the master switch, which works ok!

ban-all-sheds · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:02 am Post Subject:

Now I'm curious. The first switch you found, which you originally thought was the master switch - what was it?

__________________
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securespark · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:38 pm Post Subject:

HEY!

WHO TURNED MY &%&**^%( PC OFF????

plugwash · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:47 pm Post Subject:

id guess a plug in mcb. possiblly supplying a disused cuircuit

eck1 · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:48 am Post Subject:

Haven't looked again to find out what the first switch was. I'll try to have a look again tonight if I have time after removing radiators!