A fuse box consumer unit is a crucial safety component found in most homes and buildings. Often located near the utility meter or in a utility room, it acts as a protection device that controls the flow of electricity from the main supply to individual circuits in your home.
In this article, we shall delve into the workings and importance of a fuse box consumer unit and highlight the benefits of getting an upgrade.
What Is A Fuse Box Consumer Unit?
A fuse box consumer unit is a structure that houses the electrical safety devices responsible for managing the electricity flow in a building. These devices include circuit breakers, residual current devices (RCDs), and fuses. It also has a main switch that can completely shut off the power supply to your home during emergencies.
Every circuit in your house runs through the consumer unit, which distributes the required amount of electricity. The unit is especially useful during electrical overloads or faults, where it immediately cuts off the flow of electricity to the affected circuit. This helps minimize damages to the electric wiring and any connected appliances or equipment.
Why Upgrade To A Modern Fuse Box Consumer Unit?
If your home is over 25 years old, it’s highly likely that your fuse box consumer unit is outdated and requires an upgrade.
Modern units comply with up to date electrical regulations and standards, and have many benefits, including:
1. Safety
Modern fuse box consumer units are designed to safeguard your home from electrical fires caused by overloads or faults. They have safety features such as RCDs, which detect any imbalances in the flow of electricity, kicking in to cut off the circuit.
2. Convenience
Old-style fuse boxes had the disadvantage of needing replacement fuses, which were time-consuming and inconvenient. Upgraded consumer units, however, have circuit breakers which can simply be reset.
3. Capacity
Modern consumer units often come with more capacity to handle larger electrical loads. This is very useful in homes or buildings that frequently utilize high electrical equipment, or have frequent electrical installations.
4. Monitoring
Some more modern consumer unit models come with features that allow remote monitoring of how electricity is being utilized in your home. This is helping people to reduce their energy usage and save on their bills in the long run.
5. Aesthetics
Last but not least, upgrading to a modern fuse box consumer unit can provide your home with a more modern and up to date look, which is particular useful if you intend on selling your property.
Fuse Box Consumer Unit Maintenance
Even as the consumer unit increases safety and convenience, it’s important to ensure that you undertake proper maintenance to keep it running effectively. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
1. Regularly check your fuse box consumer unit for signs of heat or damage to the unit. This shows that the unit may be on constant overload and is therefore a hazard.
2. Consider calling a qualified electrician to carry out periodic checks on the consumer unit. While the unit can be easily reset, it’s important to have periodic reviews to ensure that all systems are functioning correctly.
3. Always be on the lookout for signs of electrical faults, such as flickering lights or appliances that don’t work effectively. These signs could indicate that there’s a consumer unit problem or an electrical fault requiring repair.
4. Don’t overload the consumer unit itself with too many appliances, as this can easily cause the system to shut down and in worse cases, cause a trip in the main supply.
In conclusion, a fuse box consumer unit is a crucial safety component in your home. Upgrading to a modern consumer unit will provide your home with the latest in safety and convenience features, improving your peace of mind. Maintenance of your consumer unit is essential, as it helps ensure that the unit operates without any faults or overload, keeping you safe.
If your home is in need of an upgrade, consider hiring a professional electrician to assess your current setup and provide the recommendations for an upgrade.