It can be tricky to know whether or not you need a new fuse board, and the truth is that only a trusted electrician can tell you if yours is in need of replacement.

As a general rule, if your fuse box is dated to be 30 years old, it is time for an upgrade.

There are a few tell tale signs that can indicate that your fuse box needs replaced:

• You have an old style fusebox with a wooden back board or cast iron switches – these are a safety issue and should be replaced as soon as possible.
• You don’t have any RCDs (residual current devices) for wiring buried in walls, sockets circuits and outlets that might be used to plug in outdoor electrical equipment
• You are undertaking home improvements such as a new electric shower, a home extension or a loft conversion. All additional wiring and new circuits will require additional breakers and installation.

In accordance with the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985, and several other statutory regulations, all electrical systems must be safe at the start of every tenancy and kept in a safe condition throughout the duration of that tenancy. Failure to comply with the relevant regulations is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution leading to:

• A £5,000 fine for each item that does not comply with regulations
• Your property insurance could be invalidated
• You could be sued by tenants for civil damages
• You could be sentenced to up to six months in prison for serious cases
• In the worst case scenario, you could face manslaughter charges if your negligence leads to a tenants death.

If you are in any doubt about the validity or safety of your electrical system, please get in touch for free advice.

Accidents involving electrics still happen more often than you may think. Electricity is a very powerful force and should be treated with respect The Electrical Safety Council have released the following eye-opening statistics:

• There are around 70 deaths and 1.2 million injuries as a result of electrical accidents in UK homes every year
• Over half of all fires in UK homes are caused by electrical faults, amounting to around 21,000 every year
• Almost all electrocutions that occur in the home and around 20% of fires with an electrical origin could have been prevented by having RCD protection.

If you are in any doubt about the validity or safety of your electrical system, please get in touch for free advice.

• A fuse board replacement ensures that your home has the latest in electrical protection. A fuse board replacement that is 17th edition RCD protected will make your home safer and less prone to risk of electrical fire and damage
• An RCD protected fuse board can save your life in the event of an electrical accident. Half of homes in the UK don’t have an RCD fuse board in place, putting the occupiers at unnecessary risk
• Replacing your consumer will increase the energy efficiency of your property. High performing electrical appliances can you money on your utility bills and help reduce your carbon footprint
• A new fuse board ensures that you adhere to modern electrical wiring regulation requirements. Many UK homes still do not meet the basic electrical safety standards