Small fuse box - problem?

[Arran]

Hi all

A house I’m looking at buying (3 bed semi 1930s build) has a smaller fuse box than I’m used to seeing with just a master switch and three additional switches for sockets, lights and cooker.

Is this a problem? What about if I want to run power to an outside building? Will this small fuse box make this more difficult?

Any advice would be gratefully received. Photos uploaded.

Thanks

 

[westward10]

That is a lot of cables for three circuits unless some are chopped off in the board which is likely due to the odd staggering of the mcbs.

 

[Octopus]

That’s a 7 way unit. 4 spare ways

Get local sparks to come to confirm and quote - could be a mess inside

 

[Squid]

Could be all sockets in the house on one MCB the same with the lights, as mentioned above get an Electrician in to confirm.

Is the house a semi or a bungalow?

 

[Flanders]

As above far too many cables for 3 mcbs my guess is 3 or 4 light circuits, 2 socket circuits, shower and immersion heater, worth getting a spark to do an eicr before you buy the place, the board looks fairly new but somthing is telling me its a cowboy install.

 

[Andy78]

I'd be dreading taking that lid off if I turned up to that job.
As said, a thorough inspection and test wouldn't go amiss.

 

[westward10]

That board has been there 10 - 15 years I should imagine.

 

[littlespark]

Is the house a semi or a bungalow?

Its a semi.... through a little detective work.

That's going to be a hell of a job for anyone to rewire

 

[Flanders]

That board has been there 10 - 15 years I should imagine.

Do you think so I thought those crabtee mcbs looked newer that , just notice the address of the house is on the lable at the side of the CU .

 

[SJD]

I'm more or less with Flanders.

My guess is 2x socket RFCs, 1x immersion (possibly repurposed now), 1x cooker, up to 3x lighting, and 1x earth bonding.

So I'd expect up to 7 circuits to be in use from the cables.

 

[Flanders]

I'm more or less with Flanders.

My guess is 2x socket RFCs, 1x immersion (possibly repurposed now), 1x cooker, up to 3x lighting, and 1x earth bonding. Yes well spoted I see the earth bond now,

So I'd expect up to 7 circuits to be in use from the cables.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I wouldnt be surprised if a few of them cables are now out of service. maybe the immersion has been taken out for a combi boiler, cooker removed for gas or aga style stove, as that metal plate on chimney next to CU is for a stove. either way opening the lid could be opening the proverbial can of worms. I checked the address on that metal plate in image with the local building control site and nothing has been notified, so clearly not under part p stuff since 2008.

 

[Squid]

Its a semi.... through a little detective work.

That's going to be a hell of a job for anyone to rewire

Are you 100% sure and would bet your life on it as the address shows a lot of bungalows on the street.

 

[dmxtothemax]

QUOTE - [ What about if I want to run power to an outside building? Will this small fuse box make this more difficult? ].

1 - What about if I want to run power to an outside building?

ANSWER -The electrical capacity looks adequate to power an outside building, so long as the power requirements are not high.

2 - Will this small fuse box make this more difficult?
ANSWER - There appears to be physical space for extra breakers, and the incoming cables look big enough.

I would get a good electrician in to check it out,
but I would say chances are good !
Let us know how you go ?

 

[Midwest]

If I was buying this property, along with a new bathroom & kitchen, I'd be factoring in a rewire or partial rewire, ohhh and a new larger 'fuse box'.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

You also have a 30ma RCD main switch. Expect to be plunged into total darkness on a regular basis.