Old consumer unit

[oliverpenney]

Hello. I blown a fuse the other day trying to install an extractor fan . . . I have a consumer unit which uses fuses which is a length of wire between two pieces of metal. This doesn't strike me as up to date. Does it need updating. Is it expensive?

 

[riveralt]

Hello. I blown a fuse the other day trying to install an extractor fan . . .

Tends to happen when you work live and/or don't know what you are doing.

I have a consumer unit which uses fuses which is a length of wire between two pieces of metal. This doesn't strike me as up to date. Does it need updating.

Not necessarily

Is it expensive?

Not necessarily but it would depend on the state of your current installation - just ensure that a full Periodic Inspection Report is completed before a new Consumer Unit is fitted.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Hello. I blown a fuse the other day trying to install an extractor fan . . .

Are you aware that new electrical work in bathrooms must be protected by an RCD?

Thought not


Are you aware that any electrical work in a bathroom must be notified to the local authority. ?

Thought not

You need to pay their fee before the work is carried out.

 

[oliverpenney]

Yes, well, serves me right for being tight doesn't it . . The wiring is sound. I think I would like to update it to one which just has a switch to flick once it has been tripped (not that it will happen again under my own duress). Thanks.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Hello. I blown a fuse the other day trying to install an extractor fan . . .

You have done something wrong then

I have a consumer unit which uses fuses. This doesn't strike me as up to date. Does it need updating. Is it expensive?

There is nothing wrong with the consumer units in general, but if the CU/Fuse box is of that age and the cables are the original ones, you could be due for a complete upgrade. The problem you will have, is that it is highly likely that this type of CU has no RCD protection and when adding or altering circuits, there is a big chance that the addition/altered circuit will need to have RCD protection.

 

[NewOrder]

Are you qualified to access if the wiring is sound? If you don't know your're rewire able fuses to your MCBs then I would question if you are.

There is a lot more to it than just connecting a wire to it and hoping for the best.

 

[oliverpenney]

Does it matter that it is in the loft and not in the bathroom persue.

 

[Paul_C]

but if the CU/Fuse box is of that age and the cables are the original ones, you could be due for a complete upgrade

Possibly, but without looking at the whole installation that shouldn't be taken as being likely, by itself. Wylex rewireables were still being installed widely in the 1980's, for instance.

there is a big chance that the addition/altered circuit will need to have RCD protection.

For compliance with the latest edition of BS7671 perhaps. In basic electrical terms, no.

Does it matter that it is in the loft and not in the bathroom persue.

If in the loft, then it's outside the defined zones for a bathroom as per BS7671 and as per the quoted definitions for the building regulations. The installation of a fan would still be notifiable work anyway, if you're worried about such things.