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There can be many reasons to upgrade a fuse board and they are not all immediately apparent to the untrained eye.
Age of the existing board, renovations or additions to your property, and compliance with current regulations can all come in to play when deciding if it is time to upgrade the fuse board in your Bromsgrove home. Our experienced electricians at Allman Electrical have written this blog to help explain why you may need to upgrade your fuse board and exactly what that process entails.
How can I tell if my fuse board needs upgrading?
The first and most common reason to upgrade your fuse board is the age of the current fuse board. A fuse board is designed to last for around 20-30 years. As it comes to the end of this lifespan, you may begin to notice signs of wear and tear and it will become clear that an upgrade is required. Some of the common signs that the fuse board at your Bromsgrove home needs to be upgraded include:
- Flickering lights
- Frequent tripping at the fuse board
- Sockets not working
- Burning smells
- Noise coming from the fuse board
These issues can quickly become dangerous, and it is vital that you call in your local electrician as soon as possible to check the condition and safety of your electrics. If you are based in Bromsgrove, or the surrounding area, Allman Electrical will be happy to help.
Upgrading a fuse board during renovations or alterations
Another reason to upgrade the fuse board in your Bromsgrove home is if you are having renovations of electrical alterations carried out. Often, the existing fuse board will either not have the capacity for new circuits or will not meet current regulations. Fuse boards are designed to carry specific loads of current and whilst some may have extra capacity for new circuits to be safely added, others won’t. When you add new technology to your home, or build an extension, your fuse board may not have enough capacity to cope with these increased demands. A new fuse board will be able to safely handle your household’s growing demands. It will also feature all the safety devices that are currently legally required, including RCD protection.
Upgrading a fuse board to meet regulations
For some customers, their fuse board may need to be upgraded to meet current regulations. Any electrical work that requires new cabling or circuits, or changes to existing circuits will now need to be protected by an RCD at the fuse board. The installation of new sockets, light fittings, or an appliance such as a dishwasher are some examples. If you’re current fuse board does not have RCD protection, then it will require an upgrade.
Can I upgrade my fuse board myself?
The short answer here is no! Upgrading a fuseboard is a complex task and one that should only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. This is both for your safety and as a legal requirement for building regulations. Only a registered electrician can self-certify their work and sign it off for building control. Once your fuse board upgrade has been completed, your electrician will submit notification to your local council building control office and will provide you with an Electrical Installation Certificate for your records. This ensures you stay on the right side of the law and will give you peace of mind that your home is electrically safe.
If your fuse board is in need of an upgrade, Allman Electrical are your local, fully qualified and NAPIT registered electrician in Bromsgrove. We have built a strong reputation amongst our local community for reliability and high-quality workmanship and our electricians are both friendly and professional. Contact us today.