Are fuses for this box hard to get hold of?

[iamchris]

Basically I need to get a hob wired in. An electrician has had a look at the fusebox and said that getting hold of a fuse for it will be hard and so he has quoted to replace the whole fusebox. I've attached a picture below. Just after another opionion really, are there not compatible fuses for these boxes? I know the unit is old but I would have thought its possible to get a fuse still?

Cheers

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is that B32 with the blank label used?

 

[flameport]

No longer made. Some places might have a stock of old, used MCBs.

However adding circuits to the RCD side is a bust, since that just makes a dubious situation worse.
GET branded RCBOs will be exceptionally hard to find, assuming they exist at all.
Shoving some other manufacturers device in there isn't a valid option either, even though someone has already done that.

Therefore replacement of the entire thing isn't unreasonable.

 

[ericmark]

It is not a fuse box and they are not fuses. It is a consumer unit and they are MCBs.

There appear to be 2 unused 32a MCBs there or at least unlabelled.

You can get fuse holders for consumer units

however the main problem is a consumer unit is a type tested distribution unit for use when an ordinary person is in control, and the type testing means the manufacturer has to authorise the use of all parts used inside the consumer unit. Schneider Electric took over GET in November 2006 as to what is still available I don't know.

However it does not matter how much common sense says you can get other makes MCB's or fuse holders to fit, a scheme member electrician has to follow the BS7671 book, as he has signed a contract with his scheme provider to do that, and he would need permission to not follow BS7671 so he wants to follow it when ever he can, it also is likely required by his insurance.

When I replaced mine, the RBCO's were less than £10 each, the old Wylex box a MCB costs around £11 so to upgrade to all RCBO with new box, was very little more than fitting MCB's in the old box, so one has to some times bite the bullet and fit new rather than trying to muggle on with the old.

I am sure if you really want, there is a way to fit hob without changing board, but the question has to be, is it worth doing, as next time you will have it all over again. Not sure when type testing came in? However over the years it has changed, I think 1999 but not sure, before then it was not a consumer unit.

 

[Risteard]

It is a consumer unit and they are MCBs.

They haven't been called MCBs since the 16th Edition was withdrawn, actually.

 

[mattylad]

GET breakers are sttill available, have you tried Google?
https://circuitbreakersonline.co.uk/get-schupa-24-c.asp

Also, I see a hagar one there... so they fit too.

 

[iamchris]

Thanks for the replies all. I switched the one without a label to off and everything is still working fine. So I presume it is not being used.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Well, if it is not being used, then you can use it.
Actually there are two, what about the other?

Did your electrician not ask about them?

Did he look in the kitchen? You might even have a cooker circuit already that is not being used.

 

[iamchris]

Excellent, I've switched the other to off and again all seems fine

No he didn't ask about those. He just said there was a blank space but it would be too hard to get hold of another so he'd quote for a new board. Maybe a bit too hasty.

I don't think there's a cooker circuit in there. It was a full gas oven previously. I've put a new kitchen in and didn't see anything other than a gas pipe which I had someone remove.

 

[Simon35]

They haven't been called MCBs since the 16th Edition was withdrawn, actually.

Maybe not by the IET? But they still called MCB's by most.
Are they not referred to as MCB's in the 17th edition?

 

[Risteard]

Maybe not by the IET? But they still called MCB's by most.
Are they not referred to as MCB's in the 17th edition?

No. In both the 17th and 18th Editions they have been designated "circuit breakers".

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't suppose as far as BS7671 is concerned it matters what size of circuit-breaker is used, but as for the objects in question that is what they are called by the manufacturers -

https://www.hager.co.uk/product-catalogue/energy-distribution/protection-devices/mcbs/90371.htm

 

[securespark]

Let me just hide behind the sofa again......
OK...
I'm ready....

 

[JohnD]

In both the 17th and 18th Editions they have been designated "circuit breakers".

You still see MCCBs occasionally, which would presumably also comply.

Or RCBOs, of course.

 

[Risteard]

You still see MCCBs occasionally, which would presumably also comply.

Or RCBOs, of course.

I never mentioned compliance. I was talking about correct terminology. Given Winston/GeorgeCooke's obsession with it he could aim to get it right.