Guestimating the age of a consumer unit

[dtec dave]

Does anyone know the rough sort of years the various types of consumer units were in operation?
I.e when where the BS 3036 fuses brought in then phased out? When were mcb's brought out etc

As a young lad I haven't a clue how to put an estimate on the age of an installation!

 

[telectrix]

3036 fused boards phased out around 70's, early 80's. likewise hrc fused boards. both these types of board used from the year dot. MCBs came into regular use in early 80's, with RCDs fitted front end, then split boards early 90's. hope this helps.

 

[Knobhead]

Clich HERE

 

[Knobhead]

MCBs came into regular use in early 80's, with RCDs fitted front end

If you could find an electrician that trusted them new fangled things.

 

[electric will]

When did the dno's go round fitting the elcb's, upfront to consumer units/fuse boards,I take it these were a after fit? Some of these I've seen look lie right antique things and more important when did they stop fitting them?

 

[telectrix]

if they were VOELCBs, then they were fitted in 70's early 80's. can be identified by having an earth wire to them. if found, replace.

 

[dtec dave]

Thanks..yes great help. Just a couple more things then. Which are the hrc fuse boards and are the old style plug on breakers the early form of mcb's?

 

[Guest55]

plug in mcb's were a retro fit invention by wylex fir their old fuse boards , again circa 1980's.

 

[electric will]

Cheers biff, that's what i typed (i think) but don't notice auto correct had done its thing.
infact, you get a thanks for being helpful and not just dam right rude for the sake of it, towards me!

 

[Fin170]

Careful with any MEM or bell fuse boxes, their 1950s versions are in better condition than anything made by wylex at any period :lol:

 

[bagoboy]

Service head cut-out fuse

What to do when you can't see the fuse rating and make on a service head. I'm guesting its 40/60 Amp dark brown flat type with no writing app from manufacture brand.

 

[Knobhead]

K/n n/a

 

[Guest55]

K/n n/a

more like N/V
;-)

 

[yorkieone]

plug in mcb's were a retro fit invention by wylex fir their old fuse boards , again circa 1980's.

 

[yorkieone]

that nice i have just removed a 6 way wylex board that had been converted to MCBs i know the board is over 40 years of age but when it was upgraded to MCB they dont remember

 

[littlespark]

40 years?

That’s only 30 years older than this thread…