MEM Fuse Box

[Steve_R]

Hi,

Just a quick one....

I have an old MEM fuse box in my house, that I know to be about 26 years old.

The fuses look a bit like the ones you find in 13A plugs, and clip into a carrier which then clips into the fuse box.

Is it possible to change the fuse carries for something else, for example a push button reset unit without changing the entire fuse box??

I suspect the answer is no, but I thought i'd ask anyway!!

Thanks

Steve

 

[Lectrician]

There used to be some availble similar to the Wylex ones, but you would only find them second hand now.

Changing the fuses to MCB's does not really achieve anything though, you really need to change the fuseboard to provide RCD protection to circuits as appropriate.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I have an old MEM fuse box in my house, that I know to be about 26 years old.

Time to get the whole installation inspected.

 

[Steve_R]

I have an old MEM fuse box in my house, that I know to be about 26 years old.

Time to get the whole installation inspected.

Yeah I know, one expense at a time though!!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Don't engage in the wasted expense of fitting MCBs into that old fusebox then.

 

[Steve_R]

Don't engage in the wasted expense of fitting MCBs into that old fusebox then.

Was only a passing thought as I had a nightmare getting new fuses. Thought it might save me some effort in the long run.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

 

[Steve_R]

Yep that be them. I took the 5A that i'd blown into the Electrical Wholesalers and the boy behind the counter gave me fuses for a plug!!!!!!

 

[Adam_151]

While a 5A plugtop fuse will fit in the 5A carrier, it should not be fitted, it is to a different british standard (plugtop fuses are to BS1362, while cartridge fuses for fuseboards are to BS1361), has a different fusing factor, breaking capacity and is very slightly different in size.

still... not quite as bad as finding a 13A plug fuse, or fusewire in there...

 

[gman76]

Ok, I once fitted a plug top fuse in a 5 amp lighting fuse carrier.

What are the implications & should I feel guilty? (It was a rented flat that I have since moved out of).

 

[Paul_C]

The BS1361 fuses (pictured above) are still easily obtainable and widely used, so you should have no problem picking up spares.

 

[Lectrician]

And, TBH, if you feel you need to replace the fuses so often, perhaps you should concern yourself with finding the reason why!

 

[kai]

Best bet is to replace the obsolete fuseboard - the rip-off prices they charge for 5amp fuses is unbeliveable - GBP One Pound for a 5amp fuse, yet a five amp plug fuse costs five to a pound. No wonder many people forced a 5amp plug fuse into their lighting fuse holders!

It was never a good idea to use such a fuseboard in a domestic setting.

 

[Steve_R]

And, TBH, if you feel you need to replace the fuses so often, perhaps you should concern yourself with finding the reason why!

They blow now and again when a GU10 bulb fails, no mystery!!!!

 

[ChrisJ78]

I have an old MEM fuse box in my house, that I know to be about 26 years old.

Time to get the whole installation inspected.

Could I ask the question of why? I'm no electrician so just asking out of curiosity.

I have an old fuse board with fuse wire in the cartridges will eventually get it changed.