Fuze boxes

[Channel]

I have a very old (Wylex) fuze box which needs replacing. Questions are as follows.
1 Are some makes of MCB fuze boxes better that others, I have heard MK are good.
2 Is it now the rule that fuze boxes should be fitted outside the house.
3Where is the best place to buy them.
4 How much would they be.
Many thanks.

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[flameport]

1. As with everything, some makes are better than others.
2. No. Why would anyone want it outside?
3. An electrical wholesaler
4. Price varies depending on what you buy. There isn't a standard one for all installations - there are many options available, depending on what type of supply you have, how many circuits, what type of protection is required or desired, where it will be installed, etc.

 

[ericmark]

It is very rare to now fit fuse boxes. In domestic normally a type approved main distribution unit called a consumer unit is fitted. In order to fit one of these the local council building control need notifying either before fitting and £100+ vat fee paying if non registered person or if registered after fitting with much lower fee.

As a result it is not economic to DIY in most cases. It is also a problem getting power removed and replaced and getting the test equipment required to be able to complete the paperwork.

Once you realise it's not a DIY job then the make will normally be selected by the electrician doing the job.

However there is one point to consider. Use of RCBO's

The RCBO is a current trip (i.e. does same as fuse) and a earth leakage trip (gives some protection against shock) combined. Each one will allow about 15ma to 30ma to flow to earth before tripping. Using a consumer unit full of these the units are very unlikely to trip unless something goes wrong but they cost around £25 each. Alternative is to use two separate devices the RCD and MCB and one RCD can protect a number of MCB's normally meaning two RCD's per house. This method is normally cheaper but the likely hood of the RCD tripping when there is nothing wrong is much increased.

There is also the board where two RCD's and some RBCO's are used.

Costs vary according to make and so you could get a cheap make and use RCBO's rather then more expensive make and RCD's.

There are many places you can buy but I go into Chester and up bumpers lane there is an electric whole sale outlet on left and screwfix on right just slightly of bumpers lane and between the two you can get low cost items. Especially the whole sale outlet. (I noted your in Flintshire) But there are main more on main road going through Flint where old bus depot was for example.

But really may be worth looking at screwfix prices since all on line but better to let electrician buy the box. If he does not and anything goes wrong then he could charge you to correct. Far better to have a complete job.

 

[sparkwright]

Are you deliberately spelling 'fuse' incorrectly?

 

[Channel]

Or should I say consumer units. Thanks for both replies. The outside bit was because I was looking, without realising it, at a Canadian Web Site where all Units are now fitted outside to assist the emergency services switch off the power without entering the house. Seems reasonable

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[Channel]

No - I was not spelling Fuse incorrectly deliberately, I was previously reading an article on a company called Fuze Box who have just released a new version of its web conferencing service called Fuze Meeting. It is a cloud based technology to combine HD video ,content sharing, social content integration and mobile functionality to deliver a real time meeting experience. I don't know what it all means, but it is my excuse.

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