Replacing cartridge fuses for circuit breakers

Jules101

I would like to update the fuses in my consumer box (currently old style cartridge fuses) with circuit breakers. Firstly, is this possible and if so, where would be the best place to source these? Any comments as to how I would go about finding exact replacements would be much appreciated also.

TIA

Jules

Taylortwocities · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:31 pm Post Subject:

Assme its a Wylex board? Try here - theres a range of current ratings
Your fuses will probably be
5A, 15A & 30A
you can swap these for
6A, 16A and 32 A

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=48030&ts=53232

TTC

JohnD · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:34 pm Post Subject:

Put your email address in your profile, someone may have a few knocking about

Jules101 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:18 am Post Subject:

Thank you. Yes, it is a Wylex and yes, the fuses are as you mention. Thanks very much

Thanks also to John but too late, I've already ordered them. Thanks anyway

Jules101 · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:51 pm Post Subject:

Hi

Received the fuses from Screwfix today (1x6A, 2x32A) but, unfortunately, they are the wrong size. The pins on the fuses supplied are too close together

When I've had another look at the pictures on Screwfix, the fuses shown are not what I've received. The pics for the 6A and the 32A are actually pictures of 5A and 30A fuses (printed on the fuses is B5 and B30, my replacements show B6 and B32). Also, the pins are in the correct place on the pics.

Does anyone know of any online stores which sell the correct ones?

TIA

Jules

Jules101 · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:06 pm Post Subject:

By the way, the original fuses are of the type where you have to replace the wire if the fuse blows. I called them cartridge fuses in my original post. Is this what they are known as??

JohnD · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:09 pm Post Subject:

Jules101 wrote:

...The pins on the fuses supplied are too close together...

I hope you haven't sent them back yet... I think I know what the trouble is.

All the fuses and MCBs have differently spaced/sized prongs. This is deliberate to stop you putting them in the wrong place.

I would hope that the new MCBs arrived with plastic coloured shields to fit. These have little slots in that the correct prongs will fit.

You turn off the power, remove the old fuses, then (one at a time) unscrew the old shield and fit the new one.

There are two important reasons for swapping them one at a time:

1) When you remove the plastic shield, the busbar is exposed to touch (although it will not be live if you have turned off the main switch)

2) It prevents you accidentally putting the 6A and the 32A in each other's places.

I think you'll be able to fit them successfully. If not, I have some. Post a pic of the Consumer Unit if you can.

You old ones are called "rewirable fuses" not cartridge fuses.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:14 pm Post Subject:

The replacement mini breakers should come to you complete with replacement bases that you swop for the ones in your existing fuseboard.
See here: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea/searchresults.jsp;jsessionid=FSAHCO3VCVGH4CSTHZPCFFI?_dyncharset=UTF-8&howMany=15&searchText=48030

Per above, replace the 5A with a 6A
15A with 16 A
30A with 32A

TTC

JohnD · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:15 pm Post Subject:

hee hee!

Adam_151 · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:20 pm Post Subject:

Jules101 wrote:

By the way, the original fuses are of the type where you have to replace the wire if the fuse blows. I called them cartridge fuses in my original post. Is this what they are known as??

No, those are semi-enclosed or re-wireable fuses (to BS3036)

Cartridge fuses have a smaller carrier and when it blows you pull the carrier as normal, but you open it up and put a new cartridge fuse in (very similar to the ones in plugs, but bigger), (BS1361*)

*There are also BS88 cartridge fuses but you won't find them in a house

Jules101 · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:41 pm Post Subject:

Well, thanks very much for all the replies. My mistake it would seem. Yes, they came supplied with replacement shields and yes, once swapped for the old ones they fit perfectly!

Doh.

And thanks for the offer of some fuses. Very kind of you

One other question, not related to the fuse saga - there is a seperate panel in the cupboard that says "Off peak heating". It has a blue, 15A fuse in it but the on/off switch is always in the off position. What was it for???

Regards

Jules

JohnD · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:44 pm Post Subject:

I can't see where the cable goes from here.

Quite likely an immersion heater.

If you have a dual meter or meter with a timeswitch then it would come off the cheap rate, and this is cheaper than full price.

However it is not usual to have off-peak/economy 7 unless you have electric storage heaters too.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:44 pm Post Subject:

Just getting my crystal ball out, hmm lets see....

something is coming through....

ahh yes, that is (or was) for off peak heating

TTC

PS Damn your speedy fingers JohnD

baldersj · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:45 pm Post Subject:

Off Peak heating?

Sorry, couldn't help it

DAMN ALL YOUR SPEEDY FINGERS!!!

JohnD · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:46 pm Post Subject:

Taylortwocities wrote:

Damn your speedy fingers JohnD

When I was a youngster, Linda used to say the opposite