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Melted fuse box (pics)!

11 replies

JessieMcJessie · 15/07/2018 16:49

Opened our fuse box last night to see that there was black stuff dripping from the bottom of one part, which I have now identified as the Network Operator’s fuse. I’ve notified them online but wondered if anyone has had this and whether it’s immediately dangerous. We had 2 bulbs blow at the same time which Is why I was checking the fuse box, I’m a bit scared to touch anything now.

Melted fuse box (pics)!
Melted fuse box (pics)!
OP posts:
TooTrueToBeGood · 15/07/2018 16:52

I'd be turning off the mains and calling out an electrician as a matter of urgency personally.

Biscusting · 15/07/2018 16:54

Your supplier may have an emergency number, I would call that.

Flisspaps · 15/07/2018 16:54

My fuse box started smoking a few weeks ago, we switched it off and got an electrician out.

Cost under £400 for a replacement (the sparky does a lot of stuff for me at work though, so did it for mates rates!)

JessieMcJessie · 20/07/2018 09:43

In case anyone is interested UK Power Networks sent someone out who said that the network fuse did need to be changed but it wasn’t an immediate safety risk so they’ll book in the job for some time in the next few weeks.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 20/07/2018 13:15

Couple of points

It's not the "fuse box"

It's the supply service head.

Old ones were often cast-iron, sometimes bakelite, and after being connected up, were often filled with molten pitch, which is an insulator and sets hard, perhaps intended to prevent deterioration or tampering.

When unusually hot, the pitch melts.

The local electricity network operator will attend and change it for a new one. You don't need a private electrician. There will not be a charge unless you have damaged it or been running a bootleg cannabis plantation.

It is usually caused by a prolonged overload. at this time of year it might be electric showers or air conditioning.

It's not especially worrying. The phone no of your DNO will be at the bottom of your electricity bill. Your supplier will probably not own or maintain the network. It needs a trained operative with protective clothing and protection for his face and hands, as the power is permanently on, and effectively unfused.

If you can't find an electricity bill, you can phone the supplier, who should know and/or pass the message on.

Your incoming electricity cable look to me as if it's about 90 years old. However it is probably perfectly safe. The engineer who changes the service head may strop back the armour to see.

PigletJohn · 20/07/2018 13:17

oops, sorry, didn't read that they've already been.

JessieMcJessie · 20/07/2018 15:19

Thanks Piglet John. That is pretty much what they said but your detailed explanation is helpful. I did say in my OP that it was the Network Operator’s Fuse though, not sure why you felt the need to correct me? The leaking item is inside the cabinet where the consumer unit and meter are so I referred to the whole lot in my title as the “fuse box”. We don’t have an electric shower or air con (wish we did have the latter!) so I don’t know what can have overloaded it.

OP posts:
YodelOdel · 20/07/2018 16:56

@Jessie, it is because your house is possibly old and therefore the terminology used in the title is misleading for many people.

A fuse box typically refers to the consumer unit alone, which contains the house fuses for each circuit or ring.

I don't have a cupboard on the inside of my house. I have a wall mounted consumer unit on the inside of the house, nothing else internally.

Externally I have a meter cupboard which contains the meter and the Network's Operator Fuse.

Inside would require electrician, outside would require electricity board. For safety and access reasons if a meter cupboard can be placed outside, it will be.

I have accompanied the workmen when they change a meter as I used to work for an electricity company and as we booked those jobs, we had to go out and see what that job entailed.

Piglet is well respected and very knowledgeable, he is merely giving a full description for anyone who may come across similar things in the future.

TerfsUp · 21/07/2018 09:44

PigletJohn, your posts are always appreciated!

PigletJohn · 21/07/2018 10:56

grin

Melted fuse box (pics)!
YodelOdel · 21/07/2018 11:14

Wish there was a like button Grin

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