Fusebox have taken the UK electrical market by storm with their nicely contoured Metal
Consumer Units, also known as fuse boards. This intelligently marketed brand, packaged in
brightly coloured pink boxes and loved by electricians in Birmingham, can be found on many
electrical trade counters across the midlands They are competitively priced, in-fact, we’ll use
the phrase cheaply priced for such a well-loved and quality product. All the items listed in
this editorial are available from CWS Electrical Wholesalers on 0121 439 8010.
Like all 18 th edition fuse board manufacturers, our Fusebox brand offers a host of
accessories that once fitted, provide varying degrees of safety and convenience for the
homeowner, not to mention an easy to install Fusebox for your electrician. Many Birmingham
based electricians chose to purchase their Fusebox boards from CWS in Great Barr given
our competitive prices and great stock levels.
Moreover, if your Fuse board is going to be on show in your hallway for example, consider
the attractive looking Fusebox brand. Powder Coated to RAL9001 in cream, it provides a
calm and subtle finish.
What single phase Fusebox accessory products are available from stock at CWS
Birmingham?
a) AFDD’s provide the most up to date technology available within the circuit
protection market. Arc Fault Detection Devices are now required in Higher Risk
Residential Buildings such as Care Home’s, HMOs (Home of Muti Occupancy), and
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. An AFDD will immediately detect and
disconnect any dangerous ARC faults which would previously have gone un-checked
by circuit breakers and RCD’s. By far the most popular AFDD available is the
Fusebox AFDD063230B. Birmingham has thousands of HMOs and hence, AFDD’s
are a very popular item for electricians to install.
b) An RCD which is a vital piece of safety equipment that immediately disconnects
the electrical supply in a situation where the alternative could likely be an electric
shock, likely causing death or potential life changing injuries.
c) RCBO’s are Residual Current Circuit Breakers and provide circuit overload
protection against short circuits, overcurrent, and earth leakages. Our
RTA060630B 6amp, typically used for lighting circuits, is a popular size of RCBO.
d) SPD is an abbreviation for a Surge Protection Device. SPD’s protect electronic and
electrical devices from unwanted high voltage peaks, normally caused by a lightning
strike or switching operation. You will be pleased to know that the majority of the
Fusebox domestic boards come complete with an SPD.
e) Flush Mounting Frames such as the AFMF14, AFMF18 and AFMF24.
f) Spacer brackets for surface mounted Fusebox consumer units, such as the
AFSS14 or AFSS18.
Do I need to install an AFDD in a Birmingham HMO?
Electrical training college students, apprentice electricians and 18 th edition update
electricians are reminded of the need to install AFDD devices in higher risk residential
homes and buildings. Care homes, Student accommodation and HMOs are examples of
where this legislation is now a necessity on certain electrical circuits. Arc faults have been
the cause of hundreds of fatal and costly electrical fires over the years, often producing
frightening temperatures of 1000Deg Celsius. These innovative AFDD devices, coupled the
strict legislation to fit them, is a giant step in the right direction in helping to stamp out
unnecessary fires.
What happened to plastic fuseboards:
In 2016, new 18th edition regulations were set in stone that stopped manufacturers making
plastic consumer units, so modern steel fuse boxes, in their various shades of white or
cream, very quickly became the new norm. Steel is non-combustible and these new metal
Fusebox units helped greatly in reducing fires in homes across the UK.
House fires very often started inside fuseboards and in the old days, with fuse boards being
plastic, plastic did very little to quell or slow down a fire.
Do I need to use a Torque Screwdriver when installing an RCBO or AFDD?
A gentle reminder to electricians that an RCBO, AFDD, or RCD, tightened to their correct
torque, will make the installation of a Fusebox far safer than using a standard screwdriver.
Under-tightening or over-tightening of electrical safety devices within a Fusebox can create
very serious and dangerous consequences. Torque screwdrivers are therefore the way to go
and yes, should be used. A good example of a quality torque screwdriver set is the
102700/PZ1.
Is it safe to install a Fusebox under the stairs?
Plastic fuseboards in the 80s and 90s were more vulnerable to fire and were often installed
directly under a staircase, or at the bottom of a staircase, and in an emergency your stairs
become the primary escape route for your family. With the modern-day array of Fusebox
safety accessories such as SPDs, AFDDs and RCBOs, not to mention Fuse boards now
being metal, the chances of fire, albeit still there, are greatly reduced.
Do I need to install a smoke or fire alarm by my fuseboard?
Despite technology coming on leaps and bounds over the last decade, Fuseboards are by
their very nature vulnerable to fire so we would recommend installing a nearby smoke/fire
alarm such as an EI3024, this market leading product dynamically reacts to both slow
burning and flaming fires.
Where about should our electrician install the Fuseboard ?
If practical and possible, particularly in a complete house renovation, a Fuseboard might be
best placed away from emergency escape routes, thus avoiding areas around the stairs.
We would also recommend that flammable liquids, such as petrol for a lawnmower, is not
kept anywhere near your fuseboard.
What is the most popular Fusebox on the market?
As the Fusebox range of circuit protection has evolved over the last few years, by far the
most popular fuseboard within their range is the F2014MX. Competitively priced and with it’s
sleek design, it really is a favourite for electricians. CWS are large stockists of the popular
F2014MX.
Who is this document on Fuseboards helpful for?
This educational document is written for Birmingham based trainee electricians or
homeowners needing to upgrade their electrical circuits. It provides answers as to why Metal
Consumer Units, such as the innovative Fusebox brand, along with its associated safety
accessories that make up a Fusebox such as RCBOs, AFDDs and SPDs, are replacing the
old plastic consumer units.
