My 1940s bungalow has the original fuse box under the house. This is in America where the electrical standards are different but I thought someone might have some input. I had an electrician out for another reason and I felt he was simply trying to generate income by telling me "for the safety of your family" I should get it swapped out with a modern panel.

If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated

The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire.

John Smith wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:20am:

If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire.

I think you are right. I need to get one bedroom rewired too ... or more.

AiA wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:25am:

John Smith wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am: If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire. I think you are right. I need to get one bedroom rewired too ... or more.

ask a few other electricians. You'll want multiple quotes anyway. They won't all be liars

John Smith wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:27am:

AiA wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 9:25am: John Smith wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am: If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire. I think you are right. I need to get one bedroom rewired too ... or more. ask a few other electricians. You'll want multiple quotes anyway. They won't all be liars

This one was quite reasonable because he has just gotten out of jail  ;D

Having watched a few of Mike Holmes shows and that electrician guy - Frank -

As he says: "It's all coming out Mike."

"This is an electrical fire just waiting to happen."

https://i.imgur.com/fOILs7b.jpg



[media width=640]https://youtu.be/cSTs4T56OIU[/media]

John Smith wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:20am:

If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire.

Zero difference as long as the rating is correct.

rhino wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 11:39pm:

John Smith wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am: If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire. Zero difference as long as the rating is correct.

I guess John_Smith was referring to a ground-fault circuit interrupter as opposed to a "normal" circuit breaker?

What is a GFCI? Simply put, a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a way to protect people from electrical shock. The GFCI will turn off (interrupt) the circuit when there is a current leak (as opposed to a current overload like a circuit breaker)

AiA wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:01am:

My 1940s bungalow has the original fuse box under the house. This is in America where the electrical standards are different but I thought someone might have some input. I had an electrician out for another reason and I felt he was simply trying to generate income by telling me "for the safety of your family" I should get it swapped out with a modern panel.

Yes - you need a new fuse box containing GFCIs 
(or RCDs as we call them in Australia.)
If you house wiring is 80 years old then it probably needs to be replaced as well
along with wall sockets & light sockets.

It will take a lot of money to get everything upgraded
but for your own safety and to prevent fires it's worth every penny.

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/howrcdswork.html

Captain Nemo wrote on Apr 24^th, 2020 at 12:44am:

rhino wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 11:39pm: John Smith wrote on Apr 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am: If your fuse box is 80yrs old, it's probably a good idea to get it updated The most important thing is that you have safety switches as your circuit breakers, and not the old style fuse wire. Zero difference as long as the rating is correct. I guess John_Smith was referring to a ground-fault circuit interrupter as opposed to a "normal" circuit breaker? What is a GFCI? Simply put, a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a way to protect people from electrical shock. The GFCI will turn off (interrupt) the circuit when there is a current leak (as opposed to a current overload like a circuit breaker)

that's the one. The one that flicks off as soon as a short is detected ... it doesn't wait for you to use the appliance or switch

The electrician is in and out of jail so works really cheap. The woman he brought with him to do the work had the face of a crack whore. When he comes back to rewire one bedroom I hope he doesn't bring her along again.

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New:

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Dear AiA -
your pictures are so blurry that I can't tell what's going on.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:16pm:

Dear AiA - your pictures are so blurry that I can't tell what's going on.

The first one is an old fuse box and the second photo is an electrical panel. There isn't really much to look at.

JHC!

That old one looks like an antique.  :o

Captain Nemo wrote on Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:51pm:

JHC! That old one looks like an antique.  :o

It was :)

AiA wrote on Sep 14^th, 2020 at 10:03am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Sep 13th, 2020 at 11:51pm: JHC! That old one looks like an antique.  :o It was :)

Good work AIA.

RCDs are much better than fuses. Much safer.

.

Captain Nemo wrote on Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:51pm:

JHC! That old one looks like an antique.  :o

I thought it was a row of mouse traps when I first saw it  ;D ;D