Things you should be aware of in older upgrades to your fuse box

You believe that the old fuse box you have is secure. The lights and the fuses are still working. However, even if you do not have wire fuses, these boxes carry all the electrical load that we use in our homes. The more you force them to perform, the more likely they will be to fail. A fuse box that is not working can cause death through electrical shock or even result in a fire in your home. Are you able to take a chance?

The importance of fuse boxes

Not just the strain on our web that has increased in the past but also the strain we place on our electrical systems. We have added new appliances, larger heaters or air conditioners for our comfort, and a spa or pool to unwind in, or perhaps we put an automation system for our homes. All of it adds up. Add to that the regulation of wiring, standards increase, and it's not uncommon to see a fuse box be outdated, heated under the neck, and possibly hazardous.

The risks of an old fuse box are frightening. The old circuit breakers and fuses are the cause of many household electrical fires. You may not have the safety switches to safeguard your family members from electric shocks.

Reasons why you might require a new fuse box

Renovations

This is probably the most typical reason we get when we receive upgrade requests, but this isn't the sole reason.

Perhaps you're adding an additional room, a new storey, renovating your bathroom, or renovating your kitchen. Everything changes on how the wiring in your home was constructed and the box that was originally designed to handle it.

The added load, without updating your fuse box, could cause circuits to overheat and trip, causing lights to dim and, most dangerously, sparks of fire.

New appliances

This is the second most frequent reason for people to request an upgrade. Perhaps you've needed to replace an old water heater or oven or air conditioning. In particular, if you decide to upgrade to a bigger appliance or a different design (like Induction cooking cookers), you may be required to make an upgrade.

It's not used for appliances. Maybe you've changed the lighting in your rooms or even added fans. All of this adds up to the load that your current fuse box is required to handle.

Other indications that you may need to upgrade

In addition to the major motives that homeowners are required to replace their fuse boxes, we can also find a few less evident reasons that we encounter:

• Inviting pets or children to an existing home
• The purchase of a home that is not equipped with an alarm
• Your home isn't equipped with an emergency switch.
• Your home still has fuse wires
• Lightings that dim
• Certain appliances constantly trip the power
• Certain circuits are always tripping
• Making a house BnB, a rental.

Will it cost much to replace an older fuse box?

A basic upgrade can cost anywhere from $600 to $1500.

If the mains at your house require updating, the cabling must be replaced, and the fuse box has to be moved. The cost will be $3000-$7000.

This means that there are several things electricians should be aware of when comparing prices when upgrading:

• Do you need to relocate it?
• Does the power that is coming into the home require an upgrade (i.e., to three-phase)?
• Do they have asbestos around the fuse box?
• Can the upgrade be made within the existing cabinet, or is a brand-new cabinet needed?
• Do you require new circuits and wired-in? Or do all circuits require replacing?
• Is the safety switch in need of replacement because it's outdated or too small?