Signs your fuse box needs replacing

Have you noticed that your fuse box keeps tripping? Does your fuse box have a burnt smell or have scorched marks on it? If yes, these are clear signs that your fuse box needs replacing. If you live in the Axminster area and are concerned about your fuse box, get in touch with Tyne Electrical Services. As certified electricians with many years of experience, we can investigate the electrical faults caused by your fuse box and replace it with a modern consumer unit.

What is a fuse box?

A traditional older style fuse box or fuse board consists of a series of fuses (thin pieces of wire). When there is a surge in power, the fuses melt quickly causing a break in circuits. An incomplete circuit means the current cannot flow through and causes appliances to fail. A disadvantage of the fuse melting is that it frequently needs to be replaced which is dangerous and time consuming.

A fuse box is essential to the safety of your home as by preventing an appliance from working during a power surge, the fuse box protects you from electric shocks and protects your home from electrical fires.

At Tyne Electrical Services, our experience in the field and up to date understanding of industry regulations ensures we give our customers our honest opinion and truthful advice. Many older fuse boxes, although still functioning, are just not compliant with up to date industry standards. We suggest replacing older fuse boxes with modern consumer units.

Time to replace your fuse box

General wear and tear over many years can cause your fuse box to be faulty. Having investigated a number of fault fuse boxes in Axminster and surrounding areas, we have found that many older fuse boxes have become damaged exposing internal wires to the elements creating a hazardous electrical failure.

If you do have an older fuse box, you may find that some of the connections, fuses or even screws on the outside of the box have become loose over time. In previous cases where this has occurred, we have found that the terminal within the fuse box has deteriorated, implying they can no longer function safely

Fuse Box vs Consumer Unit - What's the difference?

A consumer unit is a safer, updated version of a fuse box. Rather than relying on a piece of wire to physically burn out, a consumer unit has a series of highly sensitive small switches which can cut the power in milliseconds when a fault is detected.

Take a look at the components in a consumer unit

Main switch- It is useful to familiarise yourself with the main switch on your consumer unit. In the case of an emergency or where the power supply needs to be turned off, turning the main switch off can protect you from electrical shocks.
The main switch ultimately controls the flow of current into your home.
MCB- Mini circuit breakers, like the name suggests, are mini circuits controlling the different parts or rooms in your home. If there is a surge in power, the mini circuit breakers will trip or switch the supply of current off as a safety measure.
RCD- Residual current devices are a major safety measure within the consumer unit. The RCD’s immediately switch off the electricity if there is a fault with an electrical appliance.

Fuse Box Electrician Axminster

Having your fuse box replaced can also add great value to your property. With a modern consumer unit installed by our skilled electricians, future buyers will find the increased protection and electrical efficiency a positive attribute.

You can rest assured that using Tyne Electrical Services, electrical services such as updating your fuse box will be completed with little disruption to you and your home. We guarantee workmanship to a high level, our open and friendly manner is also a great bonus with our customers.

Give us a call today.

Fuseboards