Fuse Board Installation
Today, modern fuse boxes are fire rated, which are a must-have for fuse boards installed under a wooden staircase or in emergency exit routes, such as hallways. We can advise based on the location of your fuse board installation.
A modern consumer unit is fitted with a residual-current device (RCD) which provides additional protection to your property. They are fitted with mini circuit breakers (MCBs) which give protection to each individual circuit within your home, meaning no more fuse wire to replace in the dark when the lights blow! Most fuse boxes come with a split load facility, where you can separate upstairs and downstairs circuits across 2 or more RCD’s.
Since the 18th edition wiring regulations, there are a few more other factors to consider when installing a customer unit, such as Arc fault protection and Surge protection Devices.
What are Arc Fault Detection Devices?
AFDDs is an arc fault protection device which are installed within a consumer unit. Within built waveform technology, they are unable to detect any unusual electricity patterns, which could represent an arc on the circuit. Like any other protection device, the AFDD will be activated, shutting off power to avoid any potential fire risk. Similar to an RCD or an RCBO, a AFDD are fitted with a test button which can be regularly tested by the end user.
What is an Surge Protective Devices (SPD)?
Surge Protective Devices (SPD) is a device commonly installed within a consumer unit or nearby, which protects the electrical installation from electrical power surges known as transient overvoltage’s.
Sensitive electronic equipment that is plugged into a domestic electrical installation, such as computers, televisions, washing machines and other everyday electronic devices would benefit from an SPD. In a commercial installation, safety circuits, such as fire detection systems and emergency lighting would also benefit from a Surge Protection Device, which adds addition protection for power spikes to these vulnerable and sensitive pieces of equipment.
The effects of a surge can result in either instant failure or damage to the equipment only evident over a longer period.
There are 3 different types of Surge Protective Devices:
Type 1 SPD installed at the origin, e.g. main distribution board.
Type 2 SPD installed at sub-distribution boards
(Combined Type 1 & 2 SPDs are available and are usually installed in consumer units).
Type 3 SPD installed close to the protected load. They must only be installed as a supplement to Type 2 SPD.