Fuses,old or new?

[Mr Veritas]

My question is prompted by another thread asking about using a nail in a fuse(crazy!)
In our house we have the modern(?) fuses that you just push the button back in to reactivate.
It got me thinking,how many people on here have the old fuses that require fuse wire to be replaced when the fuse blows?
Also, are the old fuses (with wire) actually legal now?
I mean, I presume it is a requirement that all fuses in new houses are now the push button type?

[ummmm]

I had the new version in my old house so I don't even know how to change a fuse wire which we have in this house.

We've had two electricians look at our fuse board and neither one has seen anything like before. I don't know the jargon...but he put something in to make it trip because apparently their was no earth. Although the electrics in the rooms seem to have been updated...he didn't know this until he did some work. He also said that if he wasn't a mate of my cousins he wouldn't have touched it with a barge pole.

I'm surprised I wake up every morning :-(

[dizmouk2009]

New houses can have that type of fuse but they would be required to have RCD's put in place before or after the circuit which would prove to be an expensive and stupid setup. So to answer your question Mr Veritas, new houses use the push button fuses as apposed to the old type wire fuses. Fuse boards are only about £100.... The RCD is a legal requirement.

[dizmouk2009]

ummmm they placed in the RCD. I'm assuming that is what you are talking about.

[Mr Veritas]

Sorry to be dumb,but what is an RCD?

[dizmouk2009]

Residual current device. Basically if something goes wrong (something trips/blows up) the RCD just trips - turning off everything on the RCD (usually the plugs (everything on the circuit the plugs use)).

[dizmouk2009]

Usually if you stick your hands into the plug socket the RCD will trip before you get zapped 200 feet across the room... The RCD doesn't cover the lights...

[Mr Veritas]

Thanks dizmouk2009,
It just proves that you can still learn something new every day (even at 87!)LOL

[ummmm]

It must have been that then. I've never seen a sparky look so nervous. And don't get me started on the boiler...!!

[dizmouk2009]

At 87 - don't go sticking your fingers in the socket; I'm not sure the RCD could save your heart.
Poor joke I know but you must be used to youngens trying to joke. :)

[dizmouk2009]

ummmm the house I'm currently sat in at the moment is far worse than your house. The wiring is being eaten by rats - bigger than most domestic cats. The new fuse board (installed by my brother who is a qualified electrician) is always tripping due to the fact the wiring was done by someone who didn't know positive from negative. This house is a walking death trap and I've been electricuted more than once here...

[Mr Veritas]

Good idea dizmouk2009.
When the old ticker gets fluttery I can stick my (wet) fingers in the socket;it will save having to wait for the 999 ambulance with the defibrillator! LOL

[dizmouk2009]

It's going to be better to just stick a hose pipe to the end of your car exaust and pump it into your house, it's a lot less painful and gets the job done 100%

[Mr Veritas]

Oh no dizmouk2009.
I want to be excited not dead!
Mind you at my age there is not much to tell between the two(or so my wife says!)LOL

[dizmouk2009]

Mr V you will still probably outlive me! Although I don't make a habbit of sticking wet fingers into sockets!