Hi, I have a double plug socket in the kitchen which has never worked even though there is a cable running from it, to another socket which works fine. I called a local electrician to take a look, he agreed to come around, but made the observation that since I still had the old style fuse box ( 25 plus years old ) that this would need replacing before any work was carried out, due to change in legislation. Is this correct ?
New fuse box needed ?
- Thread starter birder400
- Start date
Not nessecarily any need to change that fusebox, but it is the best way to add RCD protection to the kitchen circuit, which is now (generally) required if its on the ground floor. He wouldn't be able to leave the circuit in a satisfactory condition without adding some RCD protection.
When you say "he made the observation" do you mean he just looked at it or he did some tests to establish there was a problem? If it was the former then he cannot tell that it needs to be replaced unless there is some obvious physical damage. From the description of the fault you give it would appear that the socket itself is faulty & simply needs replacing. This does not come under part p or any other regulation so does not necessesitate the replacement of anything else. Do you feel competant to do it yourself?
To say the CU does not need changing seems a bit much to me. does the CU have a wooden base for example? many possible reasons to say it my need changing with out testing, but also he could be feeding you a line so I would recommend you get a second opinion from another electrician. 
S
sparkyspike
You don't have to change the fusebox. Rewireable fuseboxes aren't illegal! However it is probably cost efficient if you change the fusebox rather than adding remote RCDs. If your electrician has decided you need RCD protection in your kitchen then that is possibly why he has decided your fusebox needs replacing.
You could just fit an RCD socket. But a new fusebox would add earth leakage protection to most of your house, plus MCBs are far better than rewireable fuses regarding disconnection times.
You could just fit an RCD socket. But a new fusebox would add earth leakage protection to most of your house, plus MCBs are far better than rewireable fuses regarding disconnection times.
Many thanks to all comments so far, an update : The reasoning behind the recommendation for a new fuse box was due to the 'increased safety aspects the new box would offer, especially if plugging in outside tools, via a downstairs socket without using a rcd', not due to any fault or issue found with the current wiring or box. Also, as I had requested a new socket to be added in the corner of the kitchen, he said before any new additions to existing wiring were made, a new fuse box would be required.
The problem with the socket was traced to a broken live feed, I had noticed there was a different shade/ texture on the wall above the socket, I chipped it away and underneath was the metal trunking for the cable with a nail hole straight through the middle !
The problem with the socket was traced to a broken live feed, I had noticed there was a different shade/ texture on the wall above the socket, I chipped it away and underneath was the metal trunking for the cable with a nail hole straight through the middle !
Oh thanks for the update. well I would rec you have it changed has the old rewirable fuses are dated, but if its a issue of money you could by the sounds of it get away with just adding a rcd socket in the kitchen to meet the regulations. Then in the near future have the fuse board replaced. 
Like all posts on here can only give broad answers to the problem. there are normally other options but depends on the install as a whole. Changing the CU will Mean that all cicuits on the install will be checked and problems will have to be corrected if found.
jj4091 reasons for changing fuse board
damage, overloading ,wooden base BS 3036 boards, incorrect tails/earthing............
jj4091 reasons for changing fuse board
damage, overloading ,wooden base BS 3036 boards, incorrect tails/earthing............
like i said you make rash desicions from little information if you read the post after it was also to had a socket in the kitchen. answering questions with 'yes or no' answers to someone that is not a qualified spark and not giving you the full details is wrong.
I do not think it was a rash decision, you can only answer the questions you are asked, how would anyone know that the thread would develop at all. I am not having a go, it is just that I get frustrated when electricians take one look at an old fuse box & condemn it out of hand, to me it would be the same as taking your car to a garage for a puncture & the mechanic telling you it needs a new engine just because it is old & done a few miles & a new one would do a few more miles to the gallon & meet exhaust emissions more easily.
I hear you dont like it myself the curse of the not very qualified and ripp off merchants.
Why not just take 6mm from existing 3036 fuse for socket circuit, into a new enclosure containing a new 30mA rcd then take socket circuit conductors from new rcd. no need to test all circuits as you would if changing cu Simple and cost effective for those customers on a tight budget.
That said it does depend on what the supply system is if it's TT then I'd advise a cu change with split load & s type as main switch.
That said it does depend on what the supply system is if it's TT then I'd advise a cu change with split load & s type as main switch.
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