Bought a House - Picture of fuse board for advice

DonnieCorko

Hi there

I recently bought a house. I think the fuse board looks modern enough but I know from speaking to the guy who owns it, that he didn't get a rewire or anything since he bought it in 2008.

One of the bedrooms upstairs also has electrical sockets in the skirting board which I know is an old practice.

He did build an extension in 2015 though so definitely has got some electrical work done.

Do I need to get a rewire or think it is fine for the forseeable future. Not replastering or anything so it isn't a case of may as well while replastering etc.

Can anyone tell me what is in the picture. Fuse board to the left, I know that. Looks like a meter. then but no MPRN on it though so not sure if outdated?

How about the grey box to the right of it?

Also the random black box with he on switch :-)

Thanks

Esel

Better to ask here: https://www.boards.ie/categories/electrical

lmk123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058421635/bought-a-house-picture-of-fuse-board-for-advice

I’m not an electrician but I’d say the black meter is probably a day meter, the grey one could be a night meter and the second fuse board to the right could be for the extension, they mustn’t have fitted the smart meter yet

whelan2

The Grey meter is the prepay power meter. The black one is the old type meter

The Continental Op

OP is that a picture with the fuse box cover removed or is the fuse box cover lost?

Buffman

As mentioned you'll get better responses in the electrical forum, definitely not DIY, it's a mess alright but to give you an idea from left to right:

Consumer unit/Fusebox- missing cover is an issue, don't touch anything. (Reset the fuses if they go only if absolutely necessary by carefully touching the black switch part only)

Random black switch- Doesn't appear to connect to anything there and may be old surplus disconnected or goes through the wall, I would normally say if you want to see what it does switch off and see what, if anything happens, but in this case I wouldn't touch it.

Main original rotary meter.

'Newer' PAYG 'prepay power' meter.

Above those is the main ESBN fuse for the house.

Next along and last on the right looks like an RCBO in a separate enclosure, probably serving an electric shower if you have one.

Only a REC can properly advise you of required remedial action in person after full inspection.

The Continental Op

I don't think it needs an electrician to tell the OP at the very least needs a new fuse board. OK there is nothing in law that says the fuse board needs changing but ANY electrician is going to recommend a new fuse board as a minimum.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123710666#Comment_123710666

Fuse box cover lost I presume. Don't think I saw it around but may find it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711354#Comment_123711354

Mess as in, just doesnt look very neat or mess as in potentially a dangerous issue?

Why would the missing cover mean that the fuse board is now potentially dangerous? I didn't think it was that integral?

Will likely get electrician to view it. The problem is we have hired people to do work on it for Monday 18th so not sure could I get an electrician before then but will ring around.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711627#Comment_123711627

New fuse board just because the cover is missing, or because it looks outdated?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123710439#Comment_123710439

Have posted there, thank you!

Thanks to all of you for the replies as well!

The Continental Op

New fuse board just because the cover is missing, or because it looks outdated?

Because cover is missing.

There are live wires exposed that you or anyone else could put your fingers on. Imagine the power going off and fiddling around in the dark checking to see if any of the switches had tripped.

Look at it another way if ESB networks had left exposed live cabling like that you'd be straight on to them to get it fixed.

Buffman

Mess as in, just doesnt look very neat or mess as in potentially a dangerous issue?

Why would the missing cover mean that the fuse board is now potentially dangerous? I didn't think it was that integral?

Will likely get electrician to view it. The problem is we have hired people to do work on it for Monday 18th so not sure could I get an electrician before then but will ring around.

As in dangerous, as mentioned live components exposed, risk of shock to anyone not familiar with them. Risk of foreign objects getting in and shorting stuff. Hopefully there's a door on that 'meter box' somewhere so if you've kids I'd keep that locked until sorted. No labels on anything so no way of telling what fuse what does what.

Not trying to be a drama queen but if you're asking about it here you're obviously concerned yourself.

Not sure what you mean about having people coming to work on it? Have you hired people to do electrical work?

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711911#Comment_123711911

Sorry, I meant people hired to do work on the house, not the fuse board etc. Painting/floors etc.

No kids, and will just me myself and gf here so wouldn't have anyone go poking at it. There is a door. I am concerned just because I know nothing about it, and wanted some info on what was going on etc.