This particular fusebox was part of a kitchen refurbishment project. What was required:
Relocated fuse box approximately 3m from where it was in a kitchen corner cupboard to a much more convenient location for both the end user and for further maintenance (Remember the core human nature - if things become tricky and awkward to work on - the workmanship tends to go down!)
The fusebox we specified in this project was an Elucian board, fully loaded with RCBOs and an SPD for good measure.
Why RCBOs?
Because in an old single or dual RCD setting, if you have an earth fault on just one circuit... You lose the power to the entire house. best case with a dual RCD, you lose the power to half your house. This inconvenience is the effect of poor selectivity between protective devices.
In BS7671 reg 536.4.1.6 we get a mention of good selectivity not being achieved in the form of single or dual RCD setups. In layman's terms, for extra convenience, our rules and regulations book recommends using RCBOs. And because of their practical advantage to you, the end user, we recommend them too!
RCBOs make sure that the fault on any single circuit is contained to just that circuit. For instance you might have the following circuits:
- An electric shower
- An electric oven
- A downstairs socket circuit
- An upstairs socket circuit
- A downstairs lighting circuit
- An upstairs lighting circuit
- A boiler circuit
If you were to plug a dodgy kettle into your downstairs sockets, that caused that RCBO to trip - you only lose the downstairs sockets. Everything else stays on! Cooker, shower, all the lights, even upstairs sockets! And the boiler!
If that was a dual RCD board, you'd lose the function of half of those circuits. All of a sudden its more of an emergency to get someone in to take a look. There's more urgency, probably more costs involved with short notice calls and you probably won't feel very relaxed and in control. Why put yourself through all of that when RCBO boards are readily available and are only marginally more expensive to have fitted?
Should I have an SPD fitted in my fuse box?
Probably. And if it's a question posed as part of a fuse box upgrade, then almost certainly, and here's why.
Still need convincing? Anyone local to, or knows of anyone who lives on the Wayfield and Churchill Ave estates in Chatham might be able to tell you about the huge power surge they experienced in the summer of 2023. There was a week long power outage. UKPN had food and hospitality wagons stationed for the residents. And an unfortunate amount of casualties - white goods and other electronics that went pop with the surge. TVs, washing machines, the lot. Absolute catastrophe.
SPDs have the sole purpose of protecting electronics and other things you have plugged in from going pop. How? They are designed to take the hit instead. potentially thousands of pounds of pride possessions and trusty utility room white goods saved by a device that comes in at quite substantially less than £100.
By choosing RCBOs and SPDs as your fuseboard upgrade package, there's some clear benefits to be had. Not only are there conveniences and and insurance-style protection offered by these devices, but that is exactly what our electricians regulations dictate as per BS7671, a world-class standard - You shall have these devices fitted as part of your fuse box upgrade. Not following these British Standards may also invalidate your home insurance, yet another disadvantage to think about.
Do you require a Fuse box upgrade in the Medway & Maidstone region?
Feel free to call the office on 01634 218 821 (Medway) or 01622 277 321 (Maidstone) to book yourself in for a no-obligations works discussion visit
Want to find out more information about our fuse box upgrades, and the fuse box upgrades we've already carried out for your neighbours in the Medway & Maidstone region? Click here.
