Fuse Board Change

When Is The Best Time To Replace A Fuse Board?

Fuse boards are not the kind of thing that commonly gets thought of by your average homeowner when talking about upgrading and replacing things. Most homeowners are aware of the fuses/breakers themselves and how they sometimes need replacing, but the fuse board that houses them is rarely considered something that needs replacing.

For modern fuse boards, it is true that it is rarely necessary to change the fuse board itself—certainly not due to any long term deterioration of the board as a result of time passing. Far more often it will be the case that the fuse board needs changing as a result of an upgrade or renovation that requires a larger board.

In some cases, it will be necessary to replace a fuse board because the existing one is old enough that it no longer meets safety regulations. And, of course, if a fuse board is somehow damaged, it will almost certainly need replacing. But, if none of these situations apply, there is unlikely to be a compelling reason to change your fuse box.

What is a Fuse Board?

Also known as a fuse box or an electricity board, a fuse board is a safeguarding mechanism for any property—commercial or residential—that behaves as a kind of gatekeeper for any electricity entering the property.

It contains a series of RCDs (residual current devices) that correspond to different parts of the building’s electrical system. As an example, you might have a dedicated RCD for your lights, another for your downstairs power outlets, one for your electric oven, and so on.

The purpose of the RCD is to cut the power the instant that there an excessive draw of power, indicating that a fault has occurred. This prevents people from being harmed.

Why Should I Replace my Fuse Box?

The three main reasons for replacing your fuse board are upgrading your electrical system, replacing an outdated fuse board, such as one with a metal case, or because the existing fuse board was damaged.