Spare parts for a 70's wylex consumer unit

[Lower]

I've gradually been replacing the old rewireable fuses in our consumer unit with the plug in MCBs over the last year or so. Over the weekend i replaced the last 30A cartridge with a MCB and dropped the original fuse cover (which i have cut out to allow the MCBs to poke through).

It broke into about 5 pieces which i have temporally glued together but i'd like to get a new one. Can anyone suggest where i can get a replacement?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lectrician]

Rather than wasting your money on those grossly over priced retro fits, you would have been better off having a new consumer unit with MCB AND RCD protection.

 

[Lower]

Could i have had a new consumer unit fitted for £35 which is what i paid for 5 mcbs?

Apart from the cover, which i broke, there's nothing wrong with the existing consumer unit and if it ain't broke i don't see the need to fix it.

I'd still appreciate some advice on where i can get a replacement part for the existing unit.

 

[flameport]

The only source of a replacement cover for one that old will be another old one which has been removed from somewhere, or possibly get an old one on eBay etc.

A new consumer unit will obviously cost a lot more than £35, but there was no need to spend that money in the first place. MCBs won't make anything safer or provide any other benefits.

 

[Lectrician]

Could i have had a new consumer unit fitted for £35 which is what i paid for 5 mcbs?

No, but then why have you been doing it over a year if it only cost £35?

What are your personal reasons for changing to MCB's?

It is a false economy. The only benefit is that of convenience if ever a fuse blows, which if everything is fine, they shouldn't.

It is the RCD's in the modern consumer units that provide that added protection - MCB's do not.

Sorry, but in my opinion an old wylex board filled with retro fit MCB's is a waste.

 

[Lower]

I disagree. MCBs are far more user friendly.

When one of the halogen bulbs blows in our kitchen it will occasional take the fuse out in the rewireable cartridge and we'd lose the downstairs lights.

I can happily rewire the cartridge but my wife can't. So all she has to do is reset the MCB and the downstairs lights would be usable again until i can change the bulb.

I can also isolate a circuit at the flick of a switch rather than turn the power off to the whole house to remove a cartridge.

Hence bothering to change them.

I'll have a look on ebay.

 

[Lower]

No, but then why have you been doing it over a year if it only cost £35?

What are your personal reasons for changing to MCB's?

It is a false economy. The only benefit is that of convenience if ever a fuse blows, which if everything is fine, they shouldn't.

It is the RCD's in the modern consumer units that provide that added protection - MCB's do not.

Sorry, but in my opinion an old wylex board filled with retro fit MCB's is a waste.

I've been changing them as i've had to cause to work on each circuit. For example i've replaced a number of grubby older style sockets with modern equivalents, added the odd spur, replaced the odd light fitting etc.

We'll only be in the house for a couple more years. I don't see the point in spending the £hundreds on changing the perfectly functional consumer unit in a house we're not going to be in long term.

 

[flameport]

The point about old boards is they do not have RCDs, and there is no way they can have them fitted either.

RCDs save lives. Fuses and MCBs do not.

 

[Lower]

I'm well aware that modern consumer units with RCD's are safer.

But i'm not going to change the existing one.

Hence my question over where i could find a replacement part.

The advice as to where i could find a replacement part is very much appreciated.

The friendly advice that i might like to consider changing the consumer unit to a modern one with RCD's is appreciated.

The holier than thou lecturing in this thread and forum is not.

 

[spark1]

Plenty of Sparks will have one either slung in the back of their van, from a Consumer unit change, or ditched in their Garage or shed etc.
Your best bet is to try and contact some sparks and ask them.
The previous posts regarding the preferred option of going for a Consumer unit upgrade is well intentioned and IS good advice, but it is up to you how you go from here.

 

[ColJack]

did you notify the LABC of your changing the circuit protective measures?

 

[Steve]

We had a wylex fitted with MCBs, but the fuse cover was discarded years before we replaced the whole lot. You dont need it. Its only slightly less IP rating. As long as its out of the way, I dont see a problem.

OOI, Is your lighting circuit earthed?

 

[Trog]

RCDs save lives. Fuses and MCBs do not.

Thats a bit strong, surely both have their place and protect against different things, so depending on the situation either could save your life.

While having both is obviously best, fitting MCB's instead of fuses has to be an improvement. Both from a convinience point of view, and because it avoids the need for the fitting of new fuse wire. Which by its very nature is an unplanned job, and hence is likely to be done by a wide range of people in a hurry. With all the chances for mistakes, and misadventures that that involves.

 

[Lower]

did you notify the LABC of your changing the circuit protective measures?

No, and i have no intention of doing so.

 

[Lower]

Plenty of Sparks will have one either slung in the back of their van, from a Consumer unit change, or ditched in their Garage or shed etc.
Your best bet is to try and contact some sparks and ask them.
The previous posts regarding the preferred option of going for a Consumer unit upgrade is well intentioned and IS good advice, but it is up to you how you go from here.

Thank you. I will see what i can find.