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EICR - Old Rewireable Fuse boards are these acceptable?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hi, 


I need verification that it is ok to keep old style Wylex rewireable fuse boards to pass the EICR. Initially the electrician said this was ok providing they have a cover for the fuses. However he has now changed his mind and saying they need to be replaced with a new consumer unit. Some of the homes do not have a cover on the fuse board and others have had the cover taken off so plug in mcb's can be accomodated. Is this still ok?
  • 0
    How’s that for a cracking bit of electrical engineering?


    It wasn’t the one I was actually looking for ?
  • 0
    Whats that when its at home?  I  guessing some sort of heater controller ?
  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    How’s that for a cracking bit of electrical engineering?


    It wasn’t the one I was actually looking for ?


    It is missing its grey coloured insulated switch plate that prevents access to live parts, and a cover for the fuses. Very dangerous.


    Z.


  • 0
    Jaymack:

    A CU in a nursing home in Scotland had a fire in a storeroom, about 10 years ago, many old people were killed in the fire, thought attributable to an open fuseboard which did not contain the molten metal which set fire to cardboard boxes. I have seen the results of molten metal sparking on the metal edges at fuses, probably caused simply by pushing in the fuses onto a faulty circuit. Be wary of fuses, especially where no cover is fitted and where the Public is concerned. When all else fails use bloody great nails.


    Jaymack   


    Yes, an electrical cause is always assumed when the real cause can not be identified. Nothing to do with somebody secretly smoking in the cupboard of course. 


    Z.


  • 0
    I've lived here for over 43 years'. When I moved in I fitted 2 x Wylex boards, (1 x 4 way, for lighting, and 1 x 6 way for the rest), that were not new. I have a mixture of 3036's and MCBs. The metal boards are made from a VERY thick metal, you could almost drive a tank over them. I have NEVER had an RCD fitted and never would.


    The covers have knockout's to accommodate the MCBs. I luv' em!


    My son wanted to change them, some years' ago with a plastic one... I said NO! 


    regards...
  • 0
    Why would you never fit an RCD?
  • 0
    I heard a story that a 5 amp lighting fuse in a wylex metal board ejected enough hot metal thru the little vent at the top of the fuse carrier   to create a short circuit that blew the DNOs 60  amp main fuse not just once but several times over the years  apparently there was a collection of dead 60 amp fuses on the floor of the understairs cupboard
  • 0
    wallywombat:

    Why would you never fit an RCD?




    Because I don't need them! 


    regards... Tom


  • 0
    Tomgunn:
    wallywombat:

    Why would you never fit an RCD?




    Because I don't need them! 




    I can sympathize with Tom's position. I am not rushing to modernize my electrics indoors, but when I do get round to it, there will be modern CUs with RCDs, and possibly SPDs.


    I am sure that Tom's installation is in good order as are his appliances. I do not onanistically inspect the flex every time I plug something in, but I do repair any damage that I see. Whether Mrs P would be bothered by ropey flex on her curling tongs, etc. is a different matter. 


    We are all grown-ups in here and not ordinary persons, so I think that Tom is entitled to do as he pleases; but what about customers' installations?


  • 0
    Kelly Marie Angel:

    I heard a story that a 5 amp lighting fuse in a wylex metal board ejected enough hot metal thru the little vent at the top of the fuse carrier   to create a short circuit that blew the DNOs 60  amp main fuse not just once but several times over the years  apparently there was a collection of dead 60 amp fuses on the floor of the understairs cupboard


    That may have happened with a metalclad Wylex consumer unit. Was the 60 Amp. fuse heavily loaded at the time, thus assisting the blowing?

    https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+old++Wylex+metalclad+consumer+unit&docid=608044541727224394&mid=FD9A0F11EA66724B8365FD9A0F11EA66724B8365&view=detail&FORM=VIRE


    Z.


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