Old MEM Fuse box

[acacia]

I've recently moved into a house with an Old MEM Fuse Box. The lights have gone and it contains ceramic fuses (BS1361 -slightly smaller than plug ones). Anyone know if these are still easy to get a hold of e.g. in harware stores?

The box looks very like this one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:... should cost to get them brought up to date?

 

[plugwash]

i think some of the larger diy stores still do em and any decent electrical wholesaler should.

as for costs it depends on what needs doing and where you live. Afaict a CU change runs to about 500 or so, a rewire a few grand.

 

[PompeySparks]

Whilst it could do with an update, as long as it is wired safely, it is no immediate threat - MK have always made good fuseboxes and there is a common mis-conception that all rewirable fuseboxes are a hazard and should be changed for MCB's.

Having said this, a new Consumer Unit would undoutebly make your installation safer (RCD protection) but a point to bear in mind is that the wiring could be even older than the CU!

Given the flickering etc you may well need a full rewire. Before any work is commenced I think you will have to bite the bullet and get a Periodical Inspection done by a qualified Electrician. Depending on who and where it could cost anything from £150-£400.

The inspecting Electrician will then be able to list all of the required work to bring your installation up to scratch!

 

[jondiy]

Instead of messing about with ceramic fusesm buy some plug in Wylex MCB's they should sort you out and you can get em from tlc for about £6 each , just replace your ceramics with them all you have to do is fit the carriers which is one screw!!.

Your board has an NIC sticker on it so it suggests somebody qualified has (in the past) checked it over and if the wiring was'nt up to spec they wouldnt have passed it.

The fickering is probably ceiling roses that have been burnt due to using 100w bulbs in 60w fittings so replace roses and see what happens. The 5A lighting wires could be loose inside the cu, but try that as a last resort.

I reckon the fuse went because of the flickering. When you change the roses, make sure they can handle 100w bulbs.

 

[Steve]

The OP has a MEM ceramic fuse board. The one he/she linked to is a Wylex rewireable fuse board, and is not his! Pompey started on about MK then for some reason.

Altogether confusing if only people read posts properly . . . .

I suspect when the OP said "the box looks very much like this one", they didn't realise how little variance there is between some older fuse boards and the different brands.

 

[PompeySparks]

Whoops! MEM, MK? both good makes! If the actual fuseboard is BS1361 cartridge fuse instead of rewirable then it should be even safer (better disconnection time!)

Sorry for causing confusion, did read in a hurry!

I still think you could do with somebody taking a look at your wiring...