Fuse boards, also known as consumer units or fuse boxes, are a critical component of the electrical
system in any property. They are responsible for protecting the electrical circuits in your home or
business from overloading and potentially causing a fire, as well as preventing other dangers. In the
UK, fuse boards must meet the standards set by the British Standard (BS) to ensure they are safe and
reliable. In this article, Birmingham based Electrical Wholesaler CWS explores the importance of BS
fuse boards and how they help keep your property safe.<\/p>\n
What are British Standard Fuse Boards?
British Standard Fuse Boards are electrical distribution boards that are designed to meet the safety
standards set by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The BSI is the national standards body of the
United Kingdom, and they are responsible for setting the standards for a wide range of products and
services, including electrical equipment. CWS only stock electrical products made in factories who
guarantee their products meet the stringent requirements of British Standards.
In the UK, all electrical installations in domestic and commercial properties must comply with the BS
7671:2018 Wiring Regulations. This includes the installation of a consumer unit or fuse board that
meets the BS standards.<\/p>\n
The BS standards for fuse boards ensure that they are safe and reliable, and that they meet the
minimum requirements for electrical safety. The availability of modern accessories for fuse boards
nowadays help to safeguard against Short Circuits, Circuit Overload, Excess Current and Earth
Leakage. They also keep buildings safe from Arc Faults, unwanted Electrical Surges and High Voltage
Peaks.<\/p>\n
Why are Fuse Boards made to British Standards so Important?
Fuse Boards compliant with BS (British Standards) are essential because they help keep your
property safe from electrical hazards. With a correctly installed and maintained 18 th Edition fuse
board, your property is at far less risk of electrical fires and other dangerous hazards.
How do I keep my family, or tenants, safe from electrical faults and problems?
Your home needs to be a place of safety for your family and visitors. This important document,
written for your convenience by CWS, enables homeowners and landlords to learn, appreciate and
understand so much more about what is electrically available nowadays in regards electrical safety
devices.<\/p>\n
In the case of a tenant and landlord agreement however, electrical fuse board safety is just as
important because Landlords can find themselves in court, should you not provide your tenant with
electrical safety documentation. This documentation applies to both the fuse board and all wiring
circuits from the fuse board. There are national standards, which are set out in the current (18 th )
edition wiring regulations, and these are published within BS7671. They expertly detail that rental
properties should be inspected at least very five years and that tenants, or letting agents, be
provided with appropriate certificates confirming the property is electrically safe.<\/p>\n
What is a Miniature Circuit Breaker, also known as an MCB?
When there is too much current flowing through your fuse board, provided it is fit for purpose and
installed within it are at least MCB\u2019s, these will instantly stop any circuit causing any such danger.
This is why Miniature Circuit Breakers were designed, they are also known as MCB\u2019s. They prevent a
circuit from overloading and potentially causing a fire. Fuse Boards to British Standards are designed
to provide this protection reliably and safely, which is why, at the very least, MCB\u2019s are essential for
any property that uses electricity.<\/p>\n
Can I manually switch of a lighting or power circuit in my home ?
In addition to providing safety, British Standards rated Fuse Boards from CWS Birmingham also
provide convenience. They allow you to manually, and quickly, switch off individual circuits if there is
a fault, or if you need to carry out maintenance work. This could save you time and money by
avoiding the need for an out of hours call out charge by an electrician to come and isolate the
problem.<\/p>\n
How to Choose the Right Fuse Board from CWS Birmingham
Choosing the right fuse board for your property is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of
your electrical system. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a fuse board:
Capacity: The capacity of your fuse board should be appropriate for the size of your property and the
number of electrical appliances and devices you have.
Number of circuits: Your fuse board should have enough circuits to accommodate all the electrical
appliances and devices within your property. Consider how many circuits you need now but also in
the future, are you likely to add an extension or shower for example. A Birmingham based qualified
electrician can help you determine how many spare ways you may require for potential future
power or lighting circuits. CWS would be happy to put you in touch with a suitably qualified
electrician, wherever you are based in the Midlands.<\/p>\n
Brand: Choose a reputable brand with a good reputation for quality and safety. CWS Great Barr
stock only quality fuse boards that are provided with an industry leading warranty, provided they are
fitted by a qualified electrician. They are available for next day delivery.
Price: While price is an important consideration, it should not be the only factor. Choose a fuse
board that meets your needs and provides safety for your family or tenants.<\/p>\n
We mentioned above that certain devices fitted within your fuse board greatly reduce the risk of
fire. Besides the risk of fire, other safety devices exist that can prevent electric shock and unwanted
electrical surges that can damage electrical equipment.
For your Fuse Board, what safety devices are available from CWS Electrical Wholesalers?
Besides an RCD, which most properties (but not all) tend to have, also consider fitting these
life and property safety devices inside your fuse board:
1) AFDD\u2019s are very much cutting-edge technology for electrical safety within fuse
boards. Arc Fault Detection Devices as they are also known, are now needed in Higher<\/p>\n
Risk Residential Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Care Homes, and
HMO\u2019s. They detect and subsequently disconnect dangerous ARC faults which would
have previously gone unnoticed by circuit breakers or RCD\u2019s.
2) MCBs, also known as Miniature Circuit Breakers \u2013 they extremely quickly protect
electrical circuits from damage caused by excess current from overload or short
circuiting.
3) An RCBO\u2019s is also known as a Residual Current Circuit Breaker and built with
automatic overload protection. An MCB within a fuse board will provide protection
against overcurrent and short circuit only, on the other hand, an RCBO will provide
excellent protection against short circuit, over-current as well as earth leakage.
4) SPD is also known as a Surge Protection Device. They protect electrical & electronic
devices from high voltage peaks, normally caused by lightning strikes and switching
operations.
Maintaining Your Fuse Board
CWS Electrical Wholesalers Birmingham recommend periodic inspections of your fuse board because
these maintenance checks are essential in ensuring its safety and reliability. Here are some tips for
maintaining your fuse board:
\uf0b7 Check for damage: Regularly inspect your fuse board for any signs of damage, such as cracks,
burns, or corrosion.
\uf0b7 Test your circuits: Have an electrician test your circuits regularly to ensure they are
functioning correctly.
\uf0b7 Keep it clean: Keep your fuse board clean and free from dust and debris.
\uf0b7 Hire a qualified electrician: Hire a qualified electrician to carry out any maintenance or
repairs on your fuse board and obtain a receipt and certification for works carried out.
CWS Electrical Wholesalers are happy to put you in touch with a Birmingham based electrician and
we can be contacted on 0121 439 8010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fuse boards, also known as consumer units or fuse boxes, are a critical component of the electricalsystem in any property. They are responsible for protecting the electrical circuits in your home orbusiness from overloading and potentially causing a fire, as well as preventing other dangers. In theUK, fuse boards must meet the standards set by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n