Signs You Need a Fuse Board Upgrade

We’ve all heard it before, “why fix something that isn’t broken!” 

Although sometimes true, when it comes to your fuseboard, you should take this advice with a grain of salt - er, scrap that, a mountain of salt - because even if your fuseboard isn’t broken, doesn’t mean it’s safe!

In this blog we’ll discuss the humble fuseboard, when to upgrade and telling signs that upgrade needs to happen sooner rather than later.

The Fuseboard - why its role in your home is important

The fuseboard is the ‘engine’ of your electrical system - without one, you’ll be back to using candles as a light source and board games as your entertainment. With it being such a vital component in your electrical system, regular maintenance and checks should be carried out periodically - just like your car’s MOT. Not sure how old your fuseboard is? Check the following:

• Ceramic body with ‘old’ style fuses:  Is your fuseboard encased in a ceramic body? Does it have fuses you have to essentially rewire every time a fuse blows? If so, although it still might work, you should upgrade as soon as possible. A fuseboard of this age will be under immense stress trying to power all of our modern day devices. It will also lack important safety features like MCBs and RCDs. 
• Frequent power loss: While an occasional tripped breaker can happen (maybe you plugged in too many appliances at once!), if it's a regular occurrence, especially without an obvious reason, it's a red flag. This often means your circuits are overloaded or there's an underlying fault that your current board can't safely manage.
• Flickering lights or power surges: Are your lights dimming or flickering when an appliance turns on? Do you notice small power surges? This can suggest an inadequate power supply from your old fuseboard or loose connections, both of which are hazardous.
• Discoloured or sockets / switches: Any signs of discolouration, burn marks, or a burning smell around your sockets or switches are an immediate cause for concern.  This indicates overheating, a telling sign your fuseboard is stressed.

Has your home been rewired?

The fuseboard and rewiring go hand in hand. If you’ve had your home rewired recently, your fuseboard would have been updated during so. However, if you’ve lived in your home for say ten years and you’ve not had a rewire, chances are your fuseboard may be due an upgrade - especially if you’ve added an extension or additional sockets or switches. The same goes for new home owners. Brought a home at auction? Chances are the electrical system will be extremely outdated, an upgrade should be one of the first things you do on the renovation journey.

If any of these signs sound familiar, don't ignore them. An outdated or faulty fuseboard isn't just an inconvenience; it's a serious safety risk. The peace of mind that comes with a modern, compliant consumer unit is invaluable.

Fuseboard upgrades in Woodford, East London

Based in East London or the Woodford area? Tack Electrical Solutions are here to help you make your home a safer, more efficient space for years to come. Upgrade your fuseboard with Tack Electrical Solutions - hassle free, expertly installed consumer units across East London. Get in touch for more information today, remember don’t delay!