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. That extension has its own fuse box.

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. The house was built in 1975, I know there was an extension in 87 and another in 2015.

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 then but no MPRN on it though so not sure if outdated?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 :-)

I had people elsewhere mention that the fusebox should have a cover and that any electrician would recommend replacing the fuse box because of this, but is it such a big issue? People touch fuseboxes all the time to switch back on tripswitches etc.

Thanks

FrancieBrady

Grey box is a prepay meter.
Black switch with 'on' is an isolator switch. Cuts the power going to the fuseboard.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711745#Comment_123711745

Thanks for the reply.

Is the missing fuse box cover an issue?

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711819#Comment_123711819

Wouldn't be competent to say.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711822#Comment_123711822

Ok thank you anyways for your help!

FrancieBrady

Here's what ChatGPT has to say about a cover:

Yes — a cover for the fuse box (consumer unit) is absolutely necessary for safety, and here’s why:

1. Shock Protection

• Your consumer unit contains live terminals that can carry 230V (UK/Ireland standard) or more.
• Without a cover, anyone could accidentally touch exposed parts — even a quick brush while cleaning could be fatal.

2. Fire Safety

• If a breaker fails or a wire overheats, a cover helps contain sparks or flames inside the unit.
• Modern covers are made from fire-retardant material for exactly this reason.
• Since 2016 in the UK, new consumer units must be metal-clad to reduce fire risk.

3. Dust and Insect Protection

• The open unit in your picture is already collecting dust and cobwebs.
• Dust and debris can cause tracking (small arcs across terminals), leading to overheating or fire.
• Covers also stop insects or pests from crawling in and shorting things out.

4. Legal and Insurance Requirements

• Electrical regulations (BS 7671 in the UK) require that live parts are enclosed.
• In the event of an electrical fire, lack of a cover could void home insurance.

In short:
Without a cover, that fuse box is a live hazard — for both shock and fire. Even if you live alone and “know not to touch it,” it’s still a risk during emergencies or for visitors.

DonnieCorko

The missing fire retardant cover alright is reason enough I suppose to warrant electrician calling. They are so in-demand and expensive right now was hoping id get away without out :-(

Thanks!

heffo500

I would recommend getting an electrician to perform a Periodic Inspection on the whole electrical installation and take it from there.

As the very least you'll need a fuse board upgrade and some remedials looking at that picture.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711851#Comment_123711851

Thank you!

What do you think would be a reasonable price for a fuse board upgrade and bringing four wall sockets from the skirting/low floor to the recommended height? Just want to have some expectation setting for myself haha

TheSunIsShining

I'd suggest the missing cover is 100% dangerous. If anyone touches any of the live terminals - for example any screw that is holding a brown wire in place - they are going to get an extremely big bang. Did you not have to get an Engineers report when you bought the house - how was it not picked up in that?

DonnieCorko

Surveyor report doesn't really mention any issues. Just has a photo of it and some damaged wall outlets and say regular maintenance is required.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711872#Comment_123711872

Surveyor report doesn't really mention any issues. Just has a photo of it and some damaged wall outlets and say regular maintenance is required.

TheSunIsShining

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711969#Comment_123711969

Honestly. That's really poor - I find it amazing that a survey report would merely say regular maintenance. You need to get a RECI qualified sparks out to look at it. It is dangerous as is. If they can't make it for a few weeks, just keep away from it and keep anyone else in the house away. The inherent danger is that someone touches a live connection as they are exposed.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058421694/bought-a-house-picture-of-fuse-board-for-advice

It’s an old installation and likely nearing the end of its life.

A missing cover for a consumer unit is seen as as presenting a serious shock hazard. It won’t provide any real fire protection however. Consumer units in Southern Ireland are not required to be non combustible.

I would suggest getting a price to replace the consumer unit and get the wiring tested. Maybe budget €2k.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712292#Comment_123712292

Thanks for this info. So wouldn't require a re-wire for example just based on this fuse box? House was built in 75.

blinking

Surely the meter(s) and the consumer unit are not supposed to be in the same box?

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712479#Comment_123712479

The fusebox needs to be replaced anyway. 50 year old wiring will be past its best. But an insulation test together with a visual inspection of the circuits will help inform if it’s in a reasonably safe condition or not.

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712587#Comment_123712587

Great, thanks for the info, much appreciated!

thoneaseessi

Surveyors are not great on electrical work

The isolator is old so if it's in-circuit the place needs work

You'd see a lot of upgrades where only the board is replaced or the electrician is non registered so rewires as far as the old isolator

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123713844#Comment_123713844

Thanks for the info. Hoping it isn't in circuit! Have an electrician calling next week to check it out. Some electricians did say if they inspect it, they would have to issue a warning hazard or some similar document. Would this invalidate my house insurance if there was a fire related to the wiring?

thoneaseessi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123722811#Comment_123722811

Well now it's not too hard to check if it's in circuit

Simply turn it off and see if it cuts power

If it's in use the place needs work but probabl does anyhow without me going back looking at the thread again

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123722845#Comment_123722845

Tbh I was afraid of touching anything in the fusebox based on the comments in this thread hahaha but will try flip it tomorrow and see what happens

thoneaseessi

Just had another look there that thing is a dog's dinner

See what the rec says

On the subject of the old main isolator it could actually be hazardous to a homeowner to leave it there even if not in circuit . Homeowner thinks it cuts power

DonnieCorko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123726485#Comment_123726485

Thanks again for the reply.

Gf wouldnt allow me switch the old isolator to see what is going on :-D

However, I looked abit closer and there are lots of brown wires coming in, as well as the black and red wiring. I know the kitchen was renovated sometime between 2012 and 2015, and the knocked down a wall and put in support beam, so I am thinking the kitchen may be relatively newly wired and the reason for those brown wires.

If this is the case, it could just be a rewire of the upstairs and downstairs sitting room? Or would they not want to certify the wiring in the kitchen if they havent added it themselves/looks a bit DIY?

thoneaseessi

See what the rec says

Like I was saying ya don't leave in isolators even if they're redundant, homeowner inadvertently thinks hes cutting power