When it comes to electrical installations, the consumer unit – or fuse box or fuse board – sits at the heart of everything because it controls the distribution of the power. Modern consumer units comprise circuit breakers and fuses that guard against electrical overloads and short circuits, thereby protecting all your equipment.
Consumer units such as the one above are outdated and should be replaced...
In effect, your consumer unit is an unsung hero in your business, because it will likely only attract attention when something goes wrong. Despite this, however, every consumer unit has a lifespan and it’s good business practice to be aware of any signs of deterioration and the possible need to replace it. Checking your consumer unit regularly will enable you to prevent incidents occurring and to commission a replacement before the worst happens.
Here are our top six telltale signs that your consumer unit is either at or reaching the end of its life:
1) Smell of burning
This can be especially prevalent in older buildings, where you might experience the smell of burning from your consumer unit. This may be due to operating at maximum potential or loose connections within the fuseboard.
2) Fuses blowing
A consumer unit that includes individual replaceable fuses instead of a modern circuit breaker system should be upgraded because wiring can potentially malfunction with an older fuse box, which is unlikely to have an RCD fitted.
3) Reliance on extension cables
If you’re using a number of extension cables throughout the building this isn’t just a sign that you need more sockets but also that you may require a consumer unit upgrade to add circuits and enable proper power distribution. This will reduce the risk of an overload and limit a potential fire hazard due to your currently overloaded outlets becoming overheated.
4) Sounds of buzzing or humming
If you’re frequently hearing humming or buzzing sounds from your consumer unit, these are normally the result of a loose connection and/or faulty wiring.
5) Missing RCDs
Residual Current Devices – or RCDs – are critical to your electrical safety because they cut the power instantly if the risk of a shock or fault is detected. If your consumer unit is missing RCD protection, you’re failing to comply with current UK electrical safety regulations and could therefore be placing your staff, visitors, suppliers and commercial property at risk.
6) Missing surge protective device
If your fuse board does not have a surge protective device, it would be recommended to have one fitted if possible. If one cannot be fitted, a new fuse board would need to be installed. Surge protective devices will save any electrical appliance from potential damage from an electrical surge in current from the fuse board.
Ultimately, if your property is still relying on a dated consumer unit with ceramic fuses, the likelihood is that it’s more than 20 years old and well overdue an upgrade. As well as operating inefficiently, it won’t conform to the latest safety regulations and will therefore be representing a risk of injury and even death. Installing a modern consumer unit will mean that you’re complying with the latest British standards in electrical safety while also safeguarding your business and anyone working in or visiting your premises. In addition, investing in a consumer unit upgrade will likely save you money in the long term as your electrical installation will operating with greater energy efficiency.
At MS Electrical, we offer fixed wire testing, PAT testing and EICRs in Cambridge to keep you compliant. Call us on 01223 850301 or complete our enquiry form to request a no-obligation quotation.