🔥 WES Electrical / Certificates 4 Landlords: Fuse Board Upgrades in the West End of Glasgow - Fire Hazards!

 

If your property in Glasgow’s West End still has an old fuse board or lacks modern circuit protection, you could be sitting on a ticking time bomb. Outdated electrical systems are one of the leading causes of house fires, putting your home, tenants, and loved ones at serious risk.

At WES Electrical and Certificates 4 Landlords (C4L), we specialize in consumer unit upgrades, fuse board replacements, and cutting-edge fire protection. With over 20 years of experience, we provide expert services across the West End of Glasgow—including Partick, Hillhead, Finnieston, Hyndland, and surrounding areas.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• ⚡ The hidden dangers of outdated fuse boards
• 🔥 Why you MUST upgrade to RCBO and AFDD protection
• 🚨 Fire hazards caused by old wiring and circuit breakers
• ✅ How WES Electrical protects West End properties
• 💡 Why landlords in Glasgow MUST comply with new electrical safety standards

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⚡ 1. Are You Sitting on a Fire Hazard? The Dangers of Old Fuse Boards

If your property still has an old fuse board with ceramic fuses or outdated MCBs, it could be a serious fire risk. These outdated systems are incapable of handling modern electrical loads and offer minimal protection against faults and surges.

🔥 Real Dangers of Old Fuse Boards

• 🔥 Increased fire risk: Outdated fuse boards often fail to trip during small faults, causing wires to overheat and ignite.
• ⚠️ Electric shock hazard: Old systems lack RCBO protection, leaving you vulnerable to fatal electric shocks.
• 🚫 Non-compliance with safety standards: Properties with old fuse boards fail EICR inspections, making them illegal for rental without urgent upgrades.
• 💡 Unreliable protection: Old ceramic fuses or MCBs offer slow response times, making them ineffective during power surges or short circuits.

✅ Fact: According to Electrical Safety First, over 20,000 house fires in the UK every year are caused by electrical faults, with many linked to outdated consumer units.

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🔥 2. Fuse Boards Without RCBO and AFDD Protection Are Dangerous

If your West End property doesn’t have RCBO or AFDD protection, it is significantly more vulnerable to electrical fires.

⚠️ What is RCBO Protection?

RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent) protect against both electric shocks and circuit overloads.

• Instant fault isolation: Unlike older RCDs, RCBOs cut power only to the faulty circuit, preventing the entire board from tripping.
• Better safety: Faster reaction times reduce the risk of overheating and fire hazards.
• Legal compliance: RCBOs meet the latest 18th Edition wiring regulations, essential for landlords.

🔥 Why You NEED AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices)

AFDDs detect arc faults caused by damaged or deteriorating wiring—one of the leading causes of electrical fires.

• Prevent fire outbreaks: AFDDs detect hidden arcs before they cause wires to ignite.
• Protect against faulty wiring: Essential for older West End properties with outdated cabling.
• Insurance compliance: Many insurers require AFDDs to reduce fire risk.

✅ Scary fact: Electrical arcs can reach temperatures of 5,000°C—hot enough to instantly ignite flammable materialsbehind your walls. Without AFDD protection, you may never know it’s happening until it’s too late.

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🚨 3. Signs Your Fuse Board Is a Fire Risk

If you notice any of the following warning signs, your West End property is at serious risk of electrical faults and potential fire hazards:

• Frequent tripping: If your board trips regularly, it could indicate overloaded or faulty wiring.
• Buzzing or crackling sounds: This could be caused by loose connections or arcing, which is a fire hazard.
• Burn marks or discolouration: Visible scorching on sockets or the fuse board indicates overheating.
• Flickering lights: Often a sign of faulty wiring or loose connections.
• No RCD protection: If your board lacks RCDs or RCBOs, it offers minimal protection against electric shocks.

🚫 Ignoring these signs puts you at serious risk of property damage, legal issues, and endangering lives.

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✅ 4. Landlords in West End Glasgow – Are You Compliant?

If you’re a landlord in the West End, you are legally required to ensure your property’s electrical system meets current safety standards. Failing to comply can result in:

• Fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.
• Invalid insurance claims due to unsafe electrics.
• Eviction notices or legal action from tenants.

🔥 Landlord Responsibilities Under Scottish Law

• EICR every 5 years: Landlords must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
• Upgraded consumer units: Outdated fuse boards often lead to a "Unsatisfactory" EICR rating, requiring urgent upgrades.
• PAT testing: Landlords must ensure all appliances are tested for electrical safety.

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🔧 5. WES Electrical’s Expert Fuse Board Upgrades in the West End

At WES Electrical, we specialize in consumer unit upgrades that offer maximum protection against fire risks, shocks, and faults.

💡 What’s Included in Our Upgrade Service?

• Full electrical safety assessment: We inspect your existing system for faults or non-compliance.
• Consumer unit replacement: We install modern, fully compliant boards with RCBOs and AFDDs.
• Fire safety enhancements: Upgrading wiring, surge protection, and fire-proof cable glands.
• EICR certification: You’ll receive a pass certificate for compliance.
• Neat and tidy installation: Minimal disruption with a clean finish.

✅ Bonus: If you’re a landlord, we’ll provide a full landlord certification package to keep you compliant with current Scottish regulations.

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⚡ 6. The Cost of NOT Upgrading Your Fuse Board

Neglecting an outdated fuse board isn’t just risky—it could cost you far more in the long run:

• Fire damage repairs: Electrical fires can result in thousands of pounds in damages.
• Increased insurance premiums: Insurers charge more for properties with outdated electrics.
• Tenant safety claims: Non-compliance can lead to legal action and hefty fines.

🔥 Don’t wait until it’s too late—protect your property now with a modern consumer unit upgrade from WES Electrical.

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📍 7. Areas We Cover in the West End of Glasgow

We provide consumer unit and fuse board upgrades across the West End, including:

• Partick, Hillhead, and Finnieston
• Hyndland, Dowanhill, and Broomhill
• Kelvingrove and Woodlands
• Scotstoun and Anniesland
• Glasgow City Centre and nearby areas

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📞 Contact WES Electrical for Fuse Board Upgrades in West End Glasgow

If you have an old fuse board or need to upgrade to a modern consumer unit with RCBO and AFDD protection, contact WES Electrical today. Ensure your property is safe, compliant, and fire-resistant.

📞 Call: 0141 840 5236
🌐 Visit: Certificates 4 Landlords

🔥 Don’t wait for a fire to strike—protect your West End property with a professional fuse board upgrade from WES Electrical.

🔥 WES Electrical / Certificates 4 Landlords: Expert Consumer Unit & Fuse Board Upgrades in Glasgow and Surrounding Areas 2025

 

If your property still has an old fuse board or lacks RCBO and AFDD protection, it could be a major fire hazard. Outdated electrical systems put tenants, homeowners, and landlords at risk, and they may fail EICR inspections, making your property non-compliant with current safety regulations.

At WES Electrical and Certificates 4 Landlords (C4L), we specialize in consumer unit upgrades, fuse board replacements, and modern circuit protection for properties across Glasgow, Renfrew, Paisley, and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our team ensures your property is safe, compliant, and future-proof.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• 🔥 Why upgrading your consumer unit is essential
• ⚡ RCBO and AFDD breakers – modern protection standards
• 🔧 The dangers of old fuse wire boards
• ✅ Signs you need a fuse board upgrade
• 🛠️ WES Electrical’s expert installation services in Glasgow

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⚡ 1. Why You Should Upgrade Your Consumer Unit Glasgow

A consumer unit (fuse board) is the electrical heart of your property. It distributes electricity and protects against overloads, short circuits, and faults. Older units with ceramic fuses or outdated MCBs are far less effective at protecting against modern electrical risks.

🔥 Key Benefits of Upgrading Your Consumer Unit

• ✅ Improved safety: Modern units with RCBOs and AFDDs offer superior protection against electric shocks, overloads, and fire risks.
• ✅ Regulation compliance: Helps you meet the latest 18th Edition wiring regulations.
• ✅ Reduced fire risk: AFDDs detect arc faults, which are a major cause of electrical fires.
• ✅ Increased property value: A new consumer unit makes your property more attractive to buyers and tenants.
• ✅ Enhanced reliability: Fewer power outages and improved electrical stability.

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🔥 2. RCBO and AFDD Breakers: Modern Safety Standards

When upgrading your consumer unit, you’ll want the latest RCBO and AFDD technology installed. These devices offer superior protection compared to old MCB and RCD setups.

🔌 RCBO: Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection

An RCBO combines the functions of both an RCD (Residual Current Device) and an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) into one unit.

• Protects against electric shocks from faulty wiring or appliances.
• Guards against overcurrent faults caused by short circuits or overloads.
• Prevents nuisance tripping, only isolating the faulty circuit instead of the entire board.

🔥 AFDD: Arc Fault Detection Device

AFDDs detect arc faults, which are a leading cause of electrical fires. Arcing occurs when electricity jumps across a gap due to damaged or loose wiring, creating a dangerous heat build-up.

⚡ Why Upgrade to RCBO and AFDD Protection?

• Enhanced fire safety: Prevents overheating caused by arc faults.
• Improved circuit stability: Faster fault detection and isolation.
• 18th Edition compliant: Helps meet the latest electrical regulations.
• Reduced risk of nuisance tripping: RCBOs offer more reliable protection.

💡 WES Electrical offers full consumer unit upgrades with RCBOs and AFDDs to maximize safety and compliance in your property.

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🔥 3. The Dangers of Old Fuse Wire Boards

If your property still has an old fuse wire board, it poses serious safety risks. These outdated boards rely on replaceable fuse wire, which is far less effective at protecting against faults than modern MCBs, RCBOs, or AFDDs.

⚠️ Risks of Old Fuse Boards Glasgow

• Fire hazards: Slow response times increase the risk of electrical fires.
• Electric shock risks: Lack of proper earth fault protection.
• Frequent tripping or power failures: Older systems struggle with modern electrical loads.
• Non-compliance: Failing to upgrade could result in an unsatisfactory EICR.

🔧 Signs You Need a Fuse Board Upgrade

• Frequent tripping or blown fuses.
• Visible damage to the fuse board (burn marks, overheating).
• No RCD protection – older boards lack crucial safety features.
• Inadequate capacity: Older boards cannot support modern appliances.

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✅ 4. Fuse Board Upgrades for Landlords in Glasgow

For landlords in Glasgow, upgrading to a modern consumer unit is essential to pass EICR inspections and meet legal safety obligations.

🔥 Why Should Landlords Upgrade Fuse Boards?

• Legal compliance: Rental properties must meet the latest electrical safety standards.
• Lower insurance risks: Properties with modern consumer units have fewer liability risks.
• Tenant safety: Better protection against electric shocks and fire hazards.
• EICR pass guarantee: Upgrading ensures your property meets EICR standards.

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🔧 5. What’s Included in a Consumer Unit Upgrade by WES Electrical?

When you hire WES Electrical for a consumer unit upgrade in Glasgow, you’ll get a comprehensive service that includes:

• Full safety assessment: Inspecting your existing system for faults.
• Removal of old fuse board: Safe disconnection and removal of outdated equipment.
• Installation of modern consumer unit: With RCBO and AFDD protection.
• Circuit labeling: Clear labeling for easy identification.
• EICR certification: Testing and certification to confirm compliance.
• Fire hazard protection: Ensuring your system meets 18th Edition standards.

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🌟 6. Benefits of Upgrading with WES Electrical

Choosing WES Electrical means you’ll get:

• ✅ Experienced electricians: Over 20 years of experience in Glasgow.
• ✅ Fast, efficient service: Most upgrades are completed in a single day.
• ✅ EICR-compliant installations: Helping landlords meet their legal obligations.
• ✅ Emergency call-outs: 24/7 availability for urgent electrical faults.
• ✅ Local expertise: Serving Glasgow, Renfrew, Paisley, Clydebank, and nearby areas.

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⚡ 7. EV Car Charging Points: Safe and Compliant Installations

If you’re considering adding an EV charging point to your property, upgrading your consumer unit is essential.

• EV chargers require dedicated circuits with proper protection.
• WES Electrical ensures your fuse board can handle the increased electrical load.
• Safe and compliant installation of EV car charging points.

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📍 Areas We Cover in Glasgow and Surrounding Areas

WES Electrical provides consumer unit upgrades across:

• Glasgow City Centre
• West End (Partick, Hillhead, Hyndland, Finnieston)
• Southside (Shawlands, Pollokshields, Mosspark)
• Renfrew, Paisley, and Clydebank
• East End and North Glasgow

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📞 Contact WES Electrical for Consumer Unit Upgrades in Glasgow

If you have an outdated fuse board or want to upgrade to a modern consumer unit with RCBO and AFDD protection, contact WES Electrical today. Ensure your property is safe, compliant, and future-proof.

📞 Call: 0141 840 5236
🌐 Visit: Certificates 4 Landlords

🔥 Protect your property with a professional fuse board upgrade from Glasgow’s trusted electricians—WES Electrical.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT (GLASGOW)

Electrical Condition Reports 

Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes or electrical fires in the home in Glasgow. You can reduce the risk of a fire, and other electrical hazards such as electric shock by direct contact by checking the condition of your electrical wiring, switches, sockets, main consumer unit know as a fuse board and other accessories regularly.

How old is my electrical installation?

Signs that can help you tell the age of your electrical installation in your home include:

• Fixed cables coated in usually black vulcanised rubber (stopped being used in the 1960s).
• Fixed cables coated in lead or fabric sheath (used before the 1960s).
• A fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches, or a mixture of fuse boxes (used before the 1960s).
• Older round pin sockets (or light switches), braided flex hanging from ceiling roses, brown (or black) switches, or sockets mounted in or no skirting boards (used before the 1960s).
• Light switches on the walls or in bathrooms (used before the 1960s).

However old your electrical installation is, it may get damaged and will suffer from wear and tear. So you should get an electrician to check its condition at least every 10 years or or every 3 years if your a landlord and now the new regulations states overtime you have a change of tenancy.

westend glasgow electrician

What is the aim of a condition report?

The five main aims of a Eicr condition report are:

1. Record the results of the inspection and testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe to be used until the next inspection (following any work needed to make it safe)
2. Find any damage and wear and tear that might affect safety, and report it
3. Find any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the IEE Wiring Regulations
4. Help find anything that may cause electric shocks and high temperatures
5. Provide and important record of the installation at the time of the inspection, and for inspection testing in the future.

 Types of condition report

 In general, there are two types of domestic electrical installation condition report:

• Visual condition report - this does not include testing and is only suitable if the installation has been testing recently.
• Periodic inspection reports - this is what we would normally recommend, as it tests the installation and would find any hidden damage.

Glasgow

EMERGENCY LIGHTING TESTING GLASGOW

wes electrical 01418405236

Testing Emergency Lighting

Maintaining your emergency lighting units is important to ensure that lighting tubes are actually working and that the backup battery is capable to last the full duration required by the standards. The "responsible person" of a business or organisations ensures that the periodic checks are carried out and documented in a fire safety logbook. Below we have provided an overview of the testing procedure to give an overview of the testing frequencies.

Please note that when you purchase emergency lighting from Safelincs you will be offered to register for a free emergency lighting test reminder at the end of the checkout process. We will then email you to remind you when the tests are due. 

To make the testing of your emergency lighting units quicker you can install self-test emergency lighting. These units automatically replicate a power cut, checking their own circuitry and functionality and should a fault be found the units create both a visual and audible warning .

Standards BS 5266-8:2004 and BS EN 50172:2004 describe the testing of emergency lighting units.  

Monthly

Switch off the mains power supply to the lighting unit. Often, a separate switch with a 'fish key' is installed allowing the testing of emergency lights without having to switch off all power. Walk past all emergency lights to ensure they are working. Note any defects and get repaired immediately. Record your results in your fire safety logbook. 

Yearly

Switch off the mains power supply to the lighting unit. Leave the units illuminated for the rated period (usually three hours). The lights should be on for the whole period. If lights fail within this time, replace the backup battery.

electricians westend glasgow

TESLA WIRELESS POWER

An artist\'s rendition of the Tesla Model III

£30K ELECTRIC CAR EXPECTED TO APPEAL TO THE MASSES

04SEP 2014

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Tesla Motors, the company responsible for producing the all-electric Model S, a car that Consumer Reports rated the “Best Car Ever Tested” in 2013, is expected to today announce plans to build a new $5 billion dollar plant in Nevada which will produce electric car batteries for their upcoming 2017 model.

Being dubbed the “Gen III,” the new Tesla all-electric car is expected to have a range of 200 miles per charge and retail for approximately $35,000 dollars – A price point which is expected to appeal to the masses. The Tesla “Gigafactory” is projected to produce 500,000 battery packs for electric cars each year by 2020. Sources familiar with the project have indicated that the Nevada location was selected due to its proximity to America’s only active lithium mine.

Designed to reduce battery costs by 30 percent, the Gigafactory is Tesla’s company advantage in producing a more affordable, mass-market electric car. For industry watchers, however, the move also translates to a lot more demand for lithium.

In a note sent to shareholders in late March, Lithium Exploration Group CEO Alex Walsh said Tesla is expected to consume up to 15,000 additional tons of lithium carbonate once its Gigafactory operations are in full swing in 2017. To put the amount in perspective, total global demand for lithium carbonate in 2012 was around 160,000 tons, according to international metals and minerals research and consulting firm Roskill.

A MATTER OF TIME

“It’s just a matter of time before electric vehicles take over the market,” said Dennis Bryan, senior vice president of Western Lithium. “Given the continued growth factor in lithium, we expect demand to increase substantially.”

Sales and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) like the Tesla Model S, Tesla Roadster, and Nissan Leaf have been steadily increasing over the past few years thanks to the financial savings associated with “fueling” a car with electricity. The cost to “fill up” is under $5 dollars, as opposed to $40 dollars or more to refill an automobile with gasoline. Financial savings can be even greater when you install a home solar energy system to collect sunlight and recharge an EV with solar power.

Previous reports have shown Tesla’s new Gigafactory will be powered by on-site renewables including solar and wind power: solar panels

SOLAR POWERED TESLA GIGAFACTORY AT A GLANCE:

• Expected to drive down the per kWh cost of EV battery packs by more than 30 percent
• Forecasted to produce approximately 500,000 EVs per year by 2020
• Will take up approximately 500-1,000 acres
• Will employ approximately 6,500 workers
• Model 3/Model III will be 20% smaller than Model S,
• Expected to have electric range of 200 miles at approximate cost of $35k
• Design expected to be unveiled in 2016, car available for purchase in 2017

TESLA SOLAR POWERED SUPERCHARGING

Tesla Motors is simultaneously building a national network of solar powered electric vehicle fast charging stations.

Tesla’s EV ‘Supercharger’ technology provides a half charge (approximately 150 miles of driving range) in as little as 20 minutes, all compliments of a beautiful solar panel canopy which adorns the top of the EV charging station.

electricians

MAIN BOARD - CONSUMER UNIT REPLACEMENT GLASGOW

Electrical main boards Glasgow

Contact us - www.weselectrical.co.uk - 01418405236


When it comes time to upgrade your consumer unit / older fusebox in your home, you need to take into account several things that will effect how much you are going to spend.

Firstly you should always consult a qualified electrician before any electrical work is undertaken on you consumer unit.

secondly you would need to know how many circuits you have in your home, for example you will have one circuit for your lighting downstairs and one circuit for your upstairs lighting. also you will have a socket circuit in the form of a ring circuit , you would have a shower circuit and cooker circuit also.

The more circuits you have the bigger the main board you will need to power you home.


you will also need to take into consideration if you would choose to install a board with rcd protection.

Most new boards come with an rcd protected circuit board but you can buy ones that don't.
The issue can arise that if the is earthing issues on you circuits or you have some other wiring faults your rcd will trip and not go back up until this is fixed. you would then need to take on testing of your electrical installation through the means of a EIC test to find out where the fault lies.

If in doubt contact a qualified electrician west end Glasgow about your Fuseboard.


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Consumer unit / fuse board changing Glasgow 01418405236

The electrical wire board is the hub that controls all the wiring in your property with each circuit convey electrical present in your building heading again to this one single spot. Numerous properties are even now working on circuit sheets and electrical wiring that were introduced in the 1960s. These maturing establishments are practical, yet miss the mark concerning cutting edge wellbeing principles. In the event that your wires continue breaking it may be the case that this is the ideal opportunity to contemplate changing your old breaker board for a current one that offers better insurance.

electrical experts westend glasgow are a group of expert and qualified circuit repairmen working all over west end glasgow, along these lines, in the event that you are searching for a circuit tester in west end Glasgow, Lambeth or Croydon for instance, then we are splendidly set to offer assistance. Notwithstanding breaker board changes, our administrations spread anything electrical from essentially including an additional attachment, to a full-scale rewire. Each occupation we do attempts to make the electrical hardware in your property more secure, and takes after the strict rules set around the Bs7671 Wiring Regulations (seventeenth Amendment 1, 2011). Changing your circuit board is a noteworthy step towards getting electrical security your home closer to gathering these norms.

Current breaker sheets are fitted with Rcds, or Residual Current Devices, and Mcbs, or Micro Circuit Breakers. These productive gadgets are intended to catch blames in your circuits, and cut the present in a moment ought to anything uncommon be recognized. Fundamentally lessening the danger of electric stun and the flashes or overheating that can result in electrical blazes, these current circuit breakers offer incredible genuine feelings of serenity.

Otherwise called a fuse box or a consumer unit, power box unit or electrical board, the wire board in your property needs to be furnished to adapt to the requests of advanced family machines. Taken together, things like coolers, electric pots, clothes washers and dishwashers are significantly more eager for power than anything that was around when the old circuit sheets were initially introduced. Your new breaker board will be fitted with sufficient breakers to adapt to these raised force requests inside your property, with each one circuit being ensured more viably than at any time in the past.

Wire board changing is a generally direct assignment that can for the most part be carried out inside a couple of hours relying upon the amount of circuits in your property, and the unpredictability of the wiring as of now set up. The change can just lawfully be effected by a qualified electrical expert who is Part P enrolled. It is vital when changing a breaker board to guarantee that the earth-holding game plans in your property meet current benchmarks, and are overhauled if needed. The circuit board trade expense will fluctuate as stated by your prerequisites, yet is not as exorbitant as you may envision, and its a little cost to pay for your security. fuse board replacement

electricians westend glasgow 

we have been giving electrical administrations to provincial and business customers in South London in excess of 20 years. Clients searching for an Emergency Electrician in partick, a circuit prepare to leave change in Bromley, or another plug attachment in glasgow realize that captivating the administrations of our group of masters will convey quick, productive and expert comes about, without a doubt.

WESTEND GLASGOW ELECTRICIANS

RCDs Explained By   a Professional Electrician

An RCD, or residual current device, is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It can also provide some protection against electrical fires. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide.

Below are the questions most commonly asked about RCDs (click to expand answers).

What does an RCD do?

An RCD is a sensitive safety device that switches off electricity automatically if there is a fault.

An RCD is designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults.  For example, if you cut through the cable when mowing the lawn and accidentally touched the exposed live wires or a faulty appliance overheats causing electric current to flow to earth.

How does it work?

An RCD constantly monitors the electric current flowing through one or more circuits it is used to protect. If it detects electricity flowing down an unintended path, such as through a person who has touched a live part, the RCD will switch the circuit off very quickly, significantly reducing the risk of death or serious injury.

What are the main types of RCD?

Fixed RCDs

These are installed in the consumer unit (fusebox) and can provide protection to individual or groups of circuits. A fixed RCD provides the highest level of protection as it protects all the wiring and the sockets on a circuit, and any connected appliances.

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Socket-Outlet RCDs

These are special socket-outlets with an RCD built into them which can be used in place of a standard socket-outlet. This type of RCD provides protection only to the person in contact with equipment, including its lead, plugged into the special socket-outlet.

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Portable RCDs

These plug into any standard socket-outlet. An appliance can then be plugged into the RCD. They are useful when neither fixed nor socket-outlet RCDs are available but, as with socket-outlet RCDs, they provide protection only to the person in contact with the equipment, including its lead, plugged into the portable RCD.

• What are the main types of RCD?
• Why is RCD protection important?
  RCD protection can save lives by protecting you and your family from fatal electric shock, and can provide some protection against fire.

  Every year in the UK around 70 people die and 350,000 are injured as a result of electrical accidents at home.  A Government report also indicated that, each year, about 4,000 fires caused by electricity in homes might have been prevented if RCD protection had been fitted in the consumer unit.  Despite this, more than half of UK homes – that’s 13 million - don’t yet have any, or an adequate level of, such additional protection.

  RCD protection is particularly important whilst using mains-powered electrical equipment outdoors, where there is an increased risk of electric shock.

  (To provide additional protection against electric shock, an RCD must have a rated tripping current of no more than 30 mA. The rating will be marked on the RCD.)

How much will RCD protection cost?

A plug-in RCD can cost as little as £10. A fixed RCD will cost more, but will provide a greater degree of protection to help keep your family safe. Installation costs will vary, so we recommend getting several quotes before proceeding.

How do I check whether I already have fixed RCD protection?

To check if you have fixed RCD protection, go to your consumer unit and have a look to see if there is a device with a pushbutton marked ‘T’ or ‘Test’. This ‘test’ button is part of an RCD. If an RCD is fitted, there should also be a label on or near the consumer unit stating ‘test quarterly’.

If you have an RCD, you should check that it is functioning properly by pushing the test button every three months. When tested, the RCD should switch off the power to the areas of the home it protects. 

The RCD (or RCDs) in your consumer unit may not cover everything in your home, such as the lighting circuits, so it’s a good idea to check - while the RCD is off - which sockets and lights are no longer working, showing that they are protected by that RCD.

Switch the RCD back on to restore the supply.

If your RCD does not switch off the electricity supply to the protected circuits when the test button is pressed, or if it does not reset, get advice from a registered electrician.

If you don’t have RCD protection fitted in your consumer unit, the best way to protect yourself in the short term is by using a portable RCD, which you can find in most DIY or gardening stores.  All you have to do is plug it into a socket and plug the appliance into the RCD.  The appliance will then be safer to use.

However if, for example, you damage a hidden cable when fixing something to a wall, you won’t be protected against electric shock unless you have an RCD in your consumer unit protecting that circuit.

Is it a requirement to install RCDs?

In 2008 a new edition of the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671, came into effect. This standard calls for virtually all electrical circuits installed in homes since then to be provided with additional protection by means of an RCD.

The Electrical Safety Council has electrical safety advice on a range of issues regarding home electrics and other areas.

if in doubt contact an electrician westend glasgow

British General Consumer Unit

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B009US0GC0

Consumer Unit 17th Edition

19-module high integrity, fully insulated consumer unit. Flexible busbar.

• 100A Main Switch
• 2 x 63A RCDs
• 10 x MCBs (3 x 6A
• 2 x 16A
• 4 x 32A
• 1 x 40A)
• 3 Spare Ways
• Modern Stylish Design with Curved Smooth Profile
• Designed for Fast Installation
• Integral Spirit Level
• Easy Fit & Easy Clean Cover
• Backed Out & Retained Terminal Screws
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Product contents:
Consumer unit, 100A main switch, 2 x 63A 30mA RCDs, 3 x 6A MCBs, 2 x 16A MCBs, 4 x 32A MCBs, 1 x 40A MCB, busbar, cables and labels.

Specifications:
W x D x H: 451 x 117 x 234mm. BS EN 60439-3.

For a BG consumer unit that's right for you, check out the Britsh General range. Consumer units are an integral part of everyday living and that's why we do our best to supply you with the best.