Fuse Board Upgrade
The fuse board or also know as a consumer unit or distribution board is the main point of safety for any electrical installation.
Over the years as technology advances, so does the safety aspect of electrical installation. As regulations change, you may find yourself in a position where you need to upgrade your fuse board either for additional space or it could be that your fuse board sits outside of the current regulations meaning that adding additional circuits to your fuse board just can not be done.
This is where Evo Renewables can help with the upgrading of your existing fuse board to provide RDC and SPD protection and where needed AFDD protection.
RDC Protection
Surge Protection (SPD)
Main Protective Bonding
Building Control Notification
Why should I upgrade my fuse board?
Like anything, technology advances, and so does safety which is why many people choose to upgrade their fuse boards.
If you have concerns about the safety of your home's electrical system, it may be necessary to consider upgrading your old fuse board. It's important to note that old fuse boards only trip when overloaded, and they do not provide protection against electric shock or other fault conditions as they lack 30ma RCDs that come with new consumer units. By upgrading your fuse board, you can ensure that your home meets British Safety Standards and have peace of mind knowing that electrical system is equipped with the latest safety features.
You need to upgrade your fuse board if an electrical inspection is performed and the electrician picks out problems regarding British Safety Standards. However, if the wiring in your house is satisfactory, but your fuse board and earthing to the water and gas are outdated and need attention due to safety issues, you should consider updating them.
The most significant advantage of having a new fuse box fitted is that all current mains boards must be equipped with an RCD or with individual RCBOs.
Don’t worry if this sounds confusing; you just need to think of an RCD as a sensitive circuit breaker that will trip fast in fault conditions.
AFDDs Arc Fault Protection Device
Although not currently compulsory in all settings, AFDDs are protective devices installed in consumer units to provide protection from arc faults. They use technology to detect any unusual signatures which would signify an arc on the circuit. This will cut off power to the affected circuit and could prevent a fire. They are far more sensitive to arcs than conventional circuit protective devices.
What should I be looking for?
SPDs
A surge protection device is an electrical device designed to protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes and power surges. These devices work by diverting excess voltage away from the equipment and into the grounding wire, preventing damage to the equipment. Surge protection devices are commonly used in homes and businesses to protect sensitive electronics from power surges caused by lightning strikes, power outages, and other electrical disturbances.
RCBO or RCD
An RCD (Residual Current Device) is a safety device that protects against electrical shocks by detecting imbalances in the electrical current. An RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload protection) is a type of RCD that also includes overload protection, which means it can protect against both electrical shocks and overloading of circuits. In other words, an RCBO is a more comprehensive safety device that provides additional protection against electrical hazards.
Building Control Notification
Once you've had a new fuse board installed, the electrician should issue you with an Electrical Installation Certificate along with a Building Control Notification which is sent to the local council.