Australian Politics Forum - Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?

AiA

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Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
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.

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John Smith Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 74862 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #1 - 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.
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AiA Gold Member Offline Posts: 18405 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #2 - Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:25am 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.
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John Smith

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Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
Reply #3 - Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:27am

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

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.

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

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AiA

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Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
Reply #4 - Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 9:30am

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

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

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.

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 Grin

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Captain Nemo Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 10542 Melbourne Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #5 - Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 10:21pm 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."
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rhino Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 17179 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #6 - Apr 23^rd, 2020 at 11:39pm 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.
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Captain Nemo

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Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
Reply #7 - Apr 24^th, 2020 at 12:44am

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

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.

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)

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Bobby.

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Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
Reply #8 - Apr 24^th, 2020 at 4:52am

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

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John Smith

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Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard?
Reply #9 - Apr 24^th, 2020 at 3:22pm

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

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

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.

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

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AiA Gold Member Offline Posts: 18405 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #10 - Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:06pm 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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AiA Gold Member Offline Posts: 18405 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #11 - Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:06pm New:
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Bobby. Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 106080 Melbourne Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #12 - Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:16pm Dear AiA - your pictures are so blurry that I can't tell what's going on.
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AiA Gold Member Offline Posts: 18405 Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #13 - Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:21pm 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.
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Captain Nemo Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 10542 Melbourne Gender:	Re: Are Fuse Boxes a Fire Hazard? Reply #14 - Sep 13^th, 2020 at 11:51pm JHC! That old one looks like an antique.
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