Consumer unit causing appliance failures?

[JimmySpark]

Hi all, I don't know anything about electrical systems but have just moved into a house which has an old consumer unit... according to our surveyor, and it looks old too. A few nights ago I noticed a light bulb flickering and it eventually 'blew'. On the same night our brand new dishwasher broke... Ie it now won't power on. Have checked fuse but seems like is internal issue. We have engineer coming monday.

The tonight an extension lead failed (not sure if it is just plug fuse yet) which was powering washing machine and tumble dryer.

The strange thing is the fuses on the consumer unit didn't 'pop out' ad I've seen happen in another property, so it almost seerms like my appliances took the brunt of the issue instead.

Could it be that my consumed unit is simply not doing it's job, and thus my appliances are suffering damage? I have been quoted

 

[johninlondon1]

I suggest you get a Periodic Inspection report completed by a competent electrician to enable a full report on your new house.

Directory of UK Qualified Electricians & Electrical Contractors - Find your local electrician.

 

[NozSpark]

The light bulb is probably nothing but the bulb,, it could be that the lamp holder is failing though.

I'd say that the dishwasher is an unrelated issue.

The extension lead has failed because you are overloading it, stop using extension leads on these appliances

Oh,,, and

 

[JimmySpark]

Thank you for the quick help. Do you know how much that might cost aporox? Thanks againp

 

[NozSpark]

What sort of house, beds, reception rooms,,, where are you?

You'll probably be talking a full day's work come January as the regs are changing and there will be a load more paperwork involved

 

[johninlondon1]

You would be better to have the kitchen appliances on their own individual switched spurs instead of an extension lead. It looks like your electrical installation is in need of urgent attention and a PIR would identify the problems and would give you an estimate of the work required to bring it up to a safe standard, this would cost about

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Your appliances and extension leads are NOT protected by the fuse box....

the fuse box protects the cables around the house supplying the sockets & lights....

The appliance and extension lead should be protected by the 13a fuse in the plug that you stick into the wall socket!.

As noz said

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

yes !!!! to all above

 

[chrisg1979]

You would be better to have the kitchen appliances on their own individual switched spurs instead of an extension lead. It looks like your electrical installation is in need of urgent attention and a PIR would identify the problems and would give you an estimate of the work required to bring it up to a safe standard, this would cost about

 

[lkayelectrical]

Agree get a pir done,

 

[monkey5]

agree with all the above, for

 

[Andy™]

CU change at

 

[gram1980]

Had to do an emergency db change last week, burnt out neutral bar, customer had problems for approx 1 year before neutrals finally melted, damaged a lot of appliances such as tv , 2 kettles microwave before getting me in. I would defiantly recommend a PIR & check all connections are tight

Regards gram

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