Fuse box upgrade

WHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY CONSUMER UNIT?

Upgrading your consumer unit offers enhanced safety like, Circuit Identification, Ease of reset, Regulatory compliance, Extra capacity, RCD protection, Surge protection and Fire protection.

Older consumer units don't have an essential component known as an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) These devises break the electrical current in less than half a second as opposed to the old rewireable fuses that break the circuit in upto 5 seconds! And in the event of a 'short circuit' get very hot possibly emitting white hot metal into their surroundings especially if the fuse cover has been removed, lost or modified risking setting fire to anything combustible in its proximity.

Also RCD's (residual current device) are now fitted to all circuits in consumer units which breaks the electrical current if any electricity uses the earth path instead of the neutral path to complete the circuit. Such as you or your body. These typically disconnect in less than 50 milliseconds (faster than a heartbeat.) Without the protection of an RCD you and you home may be at risk electrical fire and a potential loss of life due to electrification.

Since 2022 the new regulations require the use of type 'A' RCD's. This is due to the level of DC (Direct Current) equipment expected within an installation, DC Equipment like EV (Electric Vehicle) Chargers and Battery storage units. earth faults are much lower than prospective AC (mains) and need type 'A' RCD.

Usually to retrofit a car charger to an existing household supply, your installer would fit a separate mini fuse box known as a 'garage board' containing a type 'A' RCD an unsightly and unnecessary addition to the proximity of main consumer unit especially if it's visible in you home, future proofing your installation with 'built in' type 'A' RCD's at source in your new consumer unit is the best way to avoid additional clunky and ugly boxes spoiling the aesthetics of you home.

FIRE PROTECTION.

The new consumer units are are now have metal surrounds as opposed to the still common plastic ones that are now considered to be unsafe due to the fire risk. Your consumer unit most likely cited in your home such as near the exit doors, or under the stairs, If there was to be a fire in any of these areas it could impede your escape in the event of a fire caused by the unit itself.

If you did experience an electrical fire caused by the components inside your fuse box the metal chassis consumer units are much less likely to spread fire as quickly as the plastic ones. Therefore, it's a good idea to upgrade to a metal fuse box with a lid that covers the fuses too to have full fire protection.

SURGE PROTECTION

As part of the new BS7671 wiring regulations (18th edition) amendment 2, it is now mandatory to have incorporated a surge protection device in all domestic homes to prevent the damage of electrical safety equipment like electronics inside mains operated smoke alarms and or any life saving medical equipment connected to your home weather it is plugged into the wall sockets or hard wired like your smoke alarms.

Surge protection is a device connected to your incoming power before your individual fuses also known as a surge protector, It's installed to protect sensitive electronic devices and appliances in your home from surges in electrical power from the mains. One of the causes of overvoltage in dwellings that are in areas where the electricity comes over on overhead pylons where the wires exposed across fields before it gets to your home are more susceptible to lightning strikes causing a massive spike in the voltage in your home that could damage sensitive electronic devices such as computers, fire alarms, washing machines, laptops, routers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, CCTV systems, and televisions. But more importantly for the protection electronics used in safety equipment around your home.

It works by discharging the excess voltage to the earth, preventing it from flowing through you electronic equipment connected to your home. Allowing the normal voltage to continue to operate safely without causing any damage to your electronics or disruption to your supply.

WHY USE A REGISTERED ELECTRICIAN?

Regulations change over the years if you use a professional registered electrician they will be bound by law to follow the latest safety regulations that are there to protect you and your loved ones in your home.

All new consumer units come with a full electrical safety certificate and a certificate of building control compliance that only a professional registered electrician can provide.

KH Electrical Pocklington is registered with 'The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting' (NICEIC) Registration Number D606499.