Our electrics don’t last forever and there comes a time when you have to ask the question, “Just how safe is my fuse box?”.
Back to topThere are many names for the control centre of our electrical systems in our homes and I have probably heard them all by now:
And more…. But the important thing is that whatever you want to call your electrical box, it will eventually need changing and that is where we can help.
Back to topThe answer to the question is a very unhelpful, “it depends”. Let me explain.
Most electrical trip boxes are designed and installed to last as long as possible under perfect installation conditions and with regular professional maintenance to keep an eye on things. Unfortunately, nothing is ever perfect and various situations will affect the longevity of the fuse box and its components.
Moisture
Moisture is not a friend of electrical equipment. Fuse box components contain a great deal of metal that, with moisture added, can corrode over time. Moisture can also cause shorting out under the right circumstances.
Tripping Switches
Switches in our fuse box or consumer unit are there to protect us against electrical overloads, fire, and electrical shock. These switches turn off electrical circuits when they detect a problem. When this happens, they are put under a great deal of stress which can take its toll on them over time.
Lack of Maintenance
Like any system, the electrical system and its components should be correctly maintained by a professional and checked over from time to time. Without regular inspections and checks, components can fail, connections can become loose and excessive heat can build up causing premature failure and even fire.
Dirt and Debris
Dirt and debris can jam up all mechanical systems and where excessive contaminants are allowed to enter the consumer unit / fuse box and its switch gear; this can cause early failure of various components.
Wear and Tear
Circuits that are put under heavy load continuously can suffer wear and tear more quickly than light loading. Think of a car constantly fully loaded with passengers and towing a caravan on every journey. The engine in that car will fail more quickly than in the vehicle that only carries one passenger on gentle journeys.
Back to topTypical costs in 2025 range from £650 to £1200 dependent upon the size of the box, brand, and design. Larger homes with more electrical circuits will require a larger consumer unit, more time for electrical testing and therefore more cost.
Smaller consumer units that would be found in an outbuilding are likely to cost much less to replace.
If you are concerned that your fuse box, trip switch box, electrical switch board (or whatever you would like to call it) is looking a bit dated or might be worn out then get in touch with me today and I will take a look for you.