Fuse boxes are
known within the electrical industry as consumer units, however many
of our clients still refer to them as fuse boxes, so to keep things
nice and simple, we will refer to consumer units as fuse boxes within
our article.
Your fuse box is
the hub of your home electrical system, so it is important that you
have a basic understanding of how it works. Should your lights trip
or you need to test your RCD or worse still an electrical emergency
occurs, you will know what you need to do.
It is better to
prepare yourself in advance rather than panic should an incident
occur.
Your fusebox should be accessible
Firstly,
it is important that your fuse box is easy to access. Commonly
fuse boxes are located in outside cupboards, under stairs cupboards or
hallway locations. Ideally you should be able to safely reach it.
Avoid storing items around the fuse box, which can make it difficult
to access should you need to. If your lights do go off in your home,
the last thing you need to be doing is trying to move things around
in order to find the fuse box!
Fusebox basics
There are three things that are useful to know about which you will
find on your fuse box:
- Main Switch
- Residual Current Devices (RCD)
- Circuit Breakers (or fuses)
Next, we will explain in more detail what each item does and how it
keeps you safe.
Main Switch
As
the name suggests, the mains switch allows you to turn off the
electricity supply to your home. It is worth familiarising yourself
with the main switch in your fuse box as this is what you will need
to use in an emergency. Some homes will have more than one mains
switch, for example if you have electric storage heaters, in which
case you may have more than one fuse box. The mains switch is the
large red switch located on the left hand side.
Residual Current Devices (RCD)
The
RCD trips a dangerous circuit by disconnecting the electrical supply
instantly. It's action is far quicker than fuses or circuit breakers
which only offer limited protection. In our opinion, every home
should have RCD protection. Our last blog, why
your home should have RCD protection explains the importance and
the essential safety features of an RCD.
If
your home has RCD protection, you will find the RCD test button on
your fusebox. The button will be clearly marked with 'T' or Test.
To ensure the RCD protection remains activated, it should be tested
at least every 3 months. Pressing the Test button should activate
the RCD instantly. If the electricity does not switch off, this
indicates a problem, and you need to consult a domestic electrician
in London.
Circuit Breakers
These
are protection devices found in your fuse box that switch off a
circuit if a fault develops. They are a similar size to fuses and
are found in a row across the centre of your fuse box. They also
offer more precise protection than a fuse. Should a fault occur the
fuse 'trips' by turning the switch 'off'. Should a trip occur,
simply look at your fuse box to see which switch is 'off' and simply
switch it back on to reset it. However if the trip is a persistent
problem, it is worth contacting an electrical contractor in London to
take a look.
Older Fuse Boxes
Older
fuse boards may have re-wirable fuses in place or circuit breakers.
Re-wirable fuses have special wire that runs between screws. If a
fault develops it burns and melts the wire which disconnects the
circuit.
If
your fuse box has a wooden back, cast iron switches or a mixture of
fuses it is likely to require a replacement to ensure your electrical
safety in your home is not compromised.
We
always recommend upgrading your fuse box to one which has RCD
protection even if your fuse box is more modern than what we have
suggested above!
Remember
a replacement consumer unit must be installed by a qualified
electrician. Here at Fulcher Edwards we are committed to your safety
and would always recommend that you consult a qualified electrician
if you have any concerns about your electricity.
No comments:
Post a Comment