Consumer unit Upgrade

[motorbiking]

I'm in the process of buying a little house on the isle of wight. It is a victorian 2 up 2 down terrace. I have a small budget for upgrades and would like to consider the consumer unit as I'm not a fan of old fuse systems due to risk. I will likely be AirBnBing the place from time to time, so want the electrics to be as safe as possible.

Is it possible to upgrade this with a current compliant unit? Are there slim units available which would be sufficient?

What do people normally do? One option might be to relocate a new unit in the hall way.

 

[AndyPRK]

Fit all rcbo inside. A new cu

Be narrow and good for small place.

 

[motorbiking]

sorry are you saying retro fit to the existing box. I know you can get plug in wire fuse replacement MCBs or are you saying just get a 6 way CU.

 

[scousespark]

You should get an electrician to carry ou an inspection. This will tell you where you stand. Before upgrading the CU, you need confirmation that your circuits are compliant. This is especially true as you plan to rent out the property.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Changing a consumer unit is not a DIY activity. Especially as doing it yourself might put your AirBNB clients at risk.

Get a local, Registered electrician to sort this for you.

 

[motorbiking]

Not planning to do it myself, just trying to understand the options.

 

[bernardgreen]

Wylex do 5 or 8 way HERE

Definately use RCBOs, the extra cost will be recovered the first time a renter calls you with total loss of power because the single RCD has tripped and cannot be reset until an emergency electrician has attended.

Is there a stair case under that sloping section ? Which floor is this ? Bit odd that the supply cable and DNO's cutout are directly above a stair case,

 

[motorbiking]

Its not a stair case, this is the ground floor front room, I'm just holding back the box unit that someone made to cover the meter/CU. I'd prefer to move it under the stairs, but property prices on IoW are fairly low, so I need to keep this in mind. I could spend 10-15k and increase the value 5-8k tops

 

[bernardgreen]

I'm just holding back the box unit that someone made to cover the meter/CU.

It is obvious now you tell me, Specsavers for me I think

 

[Taylortwocities]

I'd prefer to move it under the stairs

That’s a v costly option. The incoming supply and meter would be hugely expensive to move. In fact the DNO might require that the meter goes in an enclosure outside the property.
Also, all of the circuits that go to the existing fuse box would need to be extended and moved to the under stairs location. That won’t be trivial either.

 

[Notch7]

That’s a v costly option. The incoming supply and meter would be hugely expensive to move. In fact the DNO might require that the meter goes in an enclosure outside the property.
Also, all of the circuits that go to the existing fuse box would need to be extended and moved to the under stairs location. That won’t be trivial either.

Sounds to me like its existing position is just perfect

 

[OwainDIYer]

Could you remove the boxing-in completely and take a photo straight on at floor level of the service fuse and meter.

You might need your cutout renewed too (which would be free, done by the electricity distibutor).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It (they) is new enough to be bakelite - what do you think might be wrong?

 

[OwainDIYer]

It (they) is new enough to be bakelite - what do you think might be wrong?

Not sure yet. Bakelite suggests it's not going to be DP fused, but I can't see clearly and the arrangement looks a bit unusual. Might be nice to check the earth on/from the supply cable if there is one.