Electrical fires caused by consumer units are very common, particularly plastic consumer units.

Firefighters explained that the most common cause of fire hazard with consumer units is caused by an electrical fault within the circuit breaks on the fuse box causing the fuse box to overheat causing it to melt, filling the property with thick black smoke.

It is more important than ever to be more aware of your fuse box to understand what it does to prevent fires and accidents as well as to understand the causes of electrical fires.

A fuse box is a unit located in your home, typically in a fuse box cupboard or fuse box cabinet, which controls the electricity; they contain circuit breakers, the mains switch, and current devices. You need to be aware of your fuse box in case of an emergency when your electricity needs to be turned off.

If there is an overload of current your fuse wires will heat up causing them to melt, to keep you safe the current will break the cutting of your electrical supply. To fix this all you need to do is replace the small fuse which you can purchase in most shops. (Take care when you purchase a new fuse as the amps on each fuse vary).

The Elements within a Fuse Box:

There are different components within consumer units which is highly important to prevent an electrical hazard. The three elements are the main switch, residual current devices (RCD) and circuit breakers.

Main Switch:

The main switch in your electrical fuse box controls the supply of electricity and enables you to turn the power on and off. The reason for this is so that you can turn your electricity off if needed for example if you are carrying out electrical work.

Circuit Breakers:

Circuit breakers are another mechanism inside your electric fuse box. The role of circuit breakers is to switch off the circuit if they detect a fault. Once you have fixed the fault you can reset the switch and they will restart their detection all over again.

RCDs:

RCD switches trip a circuit to cut off electricity straight away in the case of a dangerous situation.  RCDs need to be tested frequently to make sure that they are functioning properly when you are carrying out a test and the electricity does not switch off this is a cause for concern and you need to contact your electrician as soon as possible.

What causes Fire Hazards within Fuse Boxes?

It is extremely vital to take care of the fuse boxes within your home or business. There are factors that can become causes of fire within fuse boxes. 

1. Damaged / Fault Components

The most common use of electrical fires for fuse boxes is damaged or faulty components. It is extremely vital to purchase the components for your consumer unit from a reputable company. Purchasing cheap components is more than likely to be unreliable and cause issues within your electrical fuse box and pose a hazard.  

It is extremely important to test your indoor or outdoor fuse boxes every 10 years to ensure it is running smoothly. If there are any issues within the consumer unit, you should contact an electrician to address the issue.

2. Improper Installation

Another factor that causes electrical fires is when the wiring of the consumer unit is defective or incorrect.  It is important to hire an experienced and knowledgeable electrician to ensure the wiring of the consumer unit is secure and safe.

Signs that the Fuse Box is a Fire Hazard:

An obvious indication that your fuse box will be a fire hazard is the number of times your circuit trips. It is advised to keep track of how often your circuit trips. Your circuits may be overloaded which is a fire hazard. If the circuit breakers trip right after you reset them, it suggests your circuits are frequently overloaded with electricity.

How to Prevent Fire Hazard with Consumer Units:

1. Replace Fuse Boxes with Metal Enclosure Versions:

Consumer units may have been installed in some homes years ago therefore, might need to be upgraded. Since the change in legislation, all household consumer units must be either encased in a non-combustible material or housed in a non-combustible material cabinet.

These regulations were set in place to keep any fires that broke out in the consumer unit contained within its shell, preventing flames from spreading. These laws would apply to consumer units constructed of non-combustible metals like steel.

The laws only apply to consumer units installed within residential structures; anything installed outside is not protected.

Check out our range of Metal Enclosure Consumer Units.

2. Check the Condition of your Fuse Box:

Some older fuses boxes might not have been fitted with an RCD. RCD is an essential component of a consumer unit board to prevent electrical fires. It is vital to invest in an RCD as it is a life-saving device.

It is important to replace any damaged components as it can increase the risk of electrical shock and create a fire hazard.

3. Test your Fuse Boxes:

Testing your fuse box is a simple and quick process that can save your house/business from an electrical fire.

Fuse boxes are vitally crucial for your safety and the safety of your house or company, thus routine maintenance is essential. Regular inspections verify that the consumer unit and the gadgets on the board are in good functioning order, ensuring the safety of the end user and the property. If you think there is an issue with your electrical fuse box, contact your local electrician immediately.

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