Is it worth updating the electrical system?

Bought a new air conditioner this weekend. Thought the higher BTU unit might put too much of a strain on the circuit and cause it to blow a fuse. Turns out to be on a separate circuit from the air conditioner upstairs and didn't have any problem. Still, it got me thinking about this old fuse box down cellar. It's at least 30 years old or more and this may be the time to think about updating to a circuit breaker and rewiring some of the house.

Checking the box tonight I noticed there were a couple 30 amp fuses and the rest were 20 amp fuses. I don't know much about electricity, but I have a feeling 30 amps is on the high side. Not only that, the outlets throughout the house are of the two prong variety. Whenever we plug in a 3 prong object, we need to use an adapter. Nothing is properly grounded. The television and computers are my biggest concern. Then again, I simply turn off the computer during any electrical storms.

Here's my dilemma. I am not really having any problems with the electricity in our house. Thus, the old adage. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix. I figure it will be close to $2000 to update.

My worry is that the 30 amp fuses are probably carrying too much of a load and could cause a fire. The other concern is the 'grounding'. I was thinking I could address this issue separately and have an electrician ground certain plugs. (I don't know if that makes sense or not.)

Is there anything else I should be thinking about as to the value of updating? Is 30 amps too much? Or, needless worry?

I'm having an electrician come in Wednesday to give me an estimate. I'm sure he'll be of the opinion updating is necessary.

Reply to
Charlie S.
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Sounds like needless worrying to me:

30 years old is just fine, assuming they did a good job when they installed it. Most houses have electrical systems at least this old, I would imagine.

High side of what? 20? And how many is "a couple"? It would be normal to have 30A for an electric range, for a furnace, for an electric dryer, maybe a few 30A fuses for room air conditioners, etc. As long as the wiring was adequately sized, there is nothing wrong with 30A fuses. Same goes for the 20A fuses. There would only be a problem if someone was mistakenly or stupidly putting 30A or 20A fuses on wires or circuits designed to carry less, which may or may not be the case (but you can't tell by just hemming and hawing, you have to go check the wires).

Yup, this is a pain, and may make you want to upgrade to 3-wire circuits everywhere. On the other hand, by installing a few strategically placed GFCI outlets, an electrician can safely upgrade many or most of your other outlets with 3 prong outlets as well. They would be safe to use, wouldn't require an adapter, wouldn't require any rewiring in the walls. They would have a little sticker that says "NO GROUND" or something like that, which can be essentially ignored in most home scenarios.

Turning off a computer might do little to nothing to protect against, well, anything. Turning it off at a power strip will give you a little protection against (small to moderate) surges and spikes. None of that has anything to do with having a ground or not. If you have a surge supressor, it may require a ground to be effective, however.

Again, it won't be the fuses that are carrying too much load, it would be the wires. Don't worry about the fuses being too big, worry about the wires being too small. Nothing you mentioned so far hints at the wires being too small (e.g., if you said "my box is filled with 50A fuses" I would have said "well, someone probably got a box of those off the back of a truck and stupidly used them instead of buying 15, 20, and 30A fuses")

Reply to
kevin
30 yrs is not old 70-100 yrs is. If the circuit with the 30a fuse is of proper wire gauge its fine. I would just have a few outlets replaced and grounded and have an electrician give the system a check up. Electricians want work too, so they may needlesly try to sell you a upgrade. If you realy want to know for your saftey your city electrical inspector or fire dept will serve you better with an unbiased overview. For saftey consider a few GFI in bath and kitchen, a mains Surge Arrestor and Lightning Arrestor. Having your ground professionaly checked and grounding outlets that have electronics is a good idea.
Reply to
m Ransley

When the electrician comes ask him to check the wire sizes inside the fuse box on the 30 and 20 amp fuses. It has been my experience that smaller fuses get replaced with larger ones to avoid the nuisance of them blowing from overloads. If that has been the case than you should consider having some additional circuits installed. If you have an ungrounded system with a fuse box, it is probably over fifty years old.

As far as upgrading, it is not a bad idea. It would certainly help when it comes time to sell your house. Many homebuyers are looking at things like that. Of course a home inspector would pick up on any shortcomings to your electrical system.

Have you made any other major upgrades to your house such as new windows or new siding? How about a new kitchen or bathroom? How about an addition? If you haven't done anything like that, than it may not be worth your while. The next owner may just knock the house down and build a new one.

Reply to
John Grabowski

This is probably what happened. I remember growing up in the house when I was younger and the fuses would blow out a lot.

If that has been the case than you should consider having

I"m not sure. I think the box was replaced about 40 years ago??? I'm not sure. The whole upstairs is on one circuit.

Reply to
Charlie S.

Don't bother, it's not worth it -- the fumes from your neighbor's charcoal lighter fluid have reduced the value of your home to near zero anyway.

Reply to
Doug Miller

How do you know it's only 30 years old? Two prong and fuses sounds like it might be older than that to me.

Reply to
scott21230

That was my thought. Our house is 47 yrs old and has circuit breakers and grounded circuits throughout (original wire is 14/3 I think).

Reply to
Chris
30A is extremely common. Dryers, A/C units, larger appliances, etc. Typically you only see 30A in a 2-pole set-up. This means it is a 240V ciurcuit. (Both hot legs of the service coming in) Definitely check the wire size versus fuse size. One person metioned that people like to oversize the fuse if it keeps tripping on them...don't do this. The breaker and branch circuit wire size are matched according to the code. (14 awg- 15A , 12 awg- 20A, 10awg- 30A, etc.)

I recommend replacing the panel with a circuit breaker panel. If for no other reason then you need not buy fuses anymore. This will also increase the resale value of the home. (Perhaps not by much but some)

In my opinion, the gournding issues is more of a problem when using larger appliances. Right now, you have no safety ground. If you have a leakage to the chasis of the appliance...you become the shortest path to ground...not a pleasant thing to be. Absolutely replace the most often used receptacles with a GFCI. If the plug are connected together (One gets fed from the other in a parallel chain) then install one at the first receptacle so the rest are covered down the line. If you replace the panel with a CB panel then you can install GFCI breakers instead. (Also a TVSS to protect your electronics)

I wouldn't worry about your electr> Bought a new air conditioner this weekend. Thought the higher BTU unit

Reply to
roughneck777

Hi, I did not know they used fuse boxes in the '70s. 30 year is not really old.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

Well that's a bad sign, if nothing changed and now it doesn't blow fuses, and I was going to ask if there were any chance your parents upgraded when you weren't looking. But below you say you think they did.

This in itself doesn't mean the house is overloaded. It depends how much you run at any one time upstairs. I had a whole 6-room, 3-bath apartment that ran on one 20 amp fuse, uncluding a pretty big refrierator, a washing machine, and a small room air conditioner. I would blow that fuse maybe once or twice a year, and I think it was when the fridge was starting and the AC was starting too, or maybe when one was running and the other was starting. The apartment came with a slo-blo fuse, and I continued to use that. That's meant to keep the fuse from blowing when the fridge is starting.

The apartment didn't have a clothes dryer, an electric stove, or any computers.

I think the most important thing is to find out what gauge the wire is that comes from each fuse, especially the 30amp fuses.

Second most important thing would be to find out if the boxes the outlets are in are grounded. You probably have 2-wire BX cable. BX means that there is a coil of metal wrapped around the two wires and that coil is supposed to be grounded at the fuse box end, then clampd to each of the junction boxes. So iiuc it is equivalent to the third wire in cable that has no metal covering. The metal coil grounds the box, and if the box is grounded then the metal bracket of the outlet (receptacle) is grounded and so is the hole in the very center that is used to attach the wall plate. That's why they have those 3 to 3 prong adaptors with the pigtail or the metal tab, that gets attached under the center screw.

What I don't know is if it would be legal to put a 3-prong outlet in such a box, attaching the green grounding screw of the outlet to the box, if the box is grounded with BX cable. Someone here knows.

As to turning off the computer during lightening, that's what we did to save the tv in the 50's, but now they have surge protectors that probably work better even than turning off, because a voltage induced by lightening can jump the space in an on/off switch. Also a lot of computers are ruined through the phone line, especially if the phone lines are on poles. (Mine is underground for the first 200 yards from my house, but on poles after that.) Remember that DSL comes in on the phone line too, although maybe DSL modems have surge suppressors???

Another thing that occurs to me is that maybe stereo stuff has gotten more expensive (I don't buy any.) but computers have gotten cheaper, and losing one may not be such a big problem. More important is to back up everything on the computer that doesn't change, and periodically back up everything that does change. This will protect you from lightning, hard-drive failure, and burglars, not just lightning.

OTOH the price of refrigerators has gone up. I had a friend who I think lost two fancy telephones, a fancy microwave, and her refrigerator in one lightning storm. Am I wrong about fridges? Because surely they cost more than a home computer.

The power of lightning is amazing, and it only has to hit a tree nearby. OTOH, I think unplugging would still work, better than turning it off or a surge suppressor. But of course you're not going to unplug all the time, at least when you're not even home. Does homeowners insurance cover lightning damage to computers and fridges? That seems like the last resort.

Reply to
mm

Chances are, the 30's are not the problems. My guess would be that the 20's are all replacements for the proper 15 amp fuses that the house is wired for. If the wire attached to them is not #12, 10, or larger, you are at risk.

The 30 amp fuses are probably for appliances like the water heater.

Bob

Reply to
Bob

Spoke with my dad tonight. He told me the box is about 45-50 years old.

Reply to
Charlie S.

Somebody installed a load center that uses FUSES 30 years ago! Doubt it, you must be talking about circuit breakers. If it is a Fuse box, Upgrade it at your earliest opportunity because it will not pass any inspection where you upgrade a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or garage conversion and more. Some fuse boxes could be upgraded by just replacing the guts and not the outer box.

My house is 40 YO and has and had an old style (I forget the brand) breaker box. I ended up upgrading because AFCI breakers were simply not available for that box and were required by code in any remodeled bedroom, I also needed more slots for a new bathroom and kitchen upgrade and outdoor lighting. A 100A box would have fit in the hole but I went with 200A for future flexibility and to have plenty of slots for upgrades. The cost difference at that point was minimal especially since i DIY.

30A is fine if it goes to the dryer on #10 or larger wire

Upgrading the box will not get ground to the receptacles, you would still need to rip out the walls to replace the wire. Most people do this one room at a time during major remodeling opportunities. It is not practical to do it all at once but adding GFCI to each branch will help as they trip much easier than the branch breakers

Ground is not there to protect your appliances, it is there to protect you., Even if grounded, your computer should have a surge supressor. You can get a whole house surge supressor to fit any of the new style boxes almost any brand. Simply fits in 2 slots like a 220V breaker

At least if you hire an electrician and there are not too many branch circuits and the working conditions are favorable.

Its possible as a DIY, I did it, Just looked at it as a big connector on my house. I spent about $400-$500 on the load center, new mast, new SE conductors and all new breakers (4 were AFCI and expensive). A few books on the topic and lots of planning made it come off smoothly.

Add GFCI to critical locations. The receptacles have a ground hole and a sticker to label that hole as not being connected to ground. These trip under conditions more likely to be seen when a person gets shocked rather than a 20A overload. It dosen't actually replace the ground but does provide a significant improvement in safety for the upgraded locations. Ask the electrician to elaborate. (these will not trip with a plug in tester, you need to use the built in button)

Depends only on the wire gague of the branch circuit it is connected to and the rating of the receptacles it leads to. If they go to regular wall sockets, replace with 20A or 15A depending on the wire gague. If it goes to the dryer, this is normal and if you have an electric range it may also go there but I would expect higher.

If it is a Fuse box, Watch his eyes bug out.

Reply to
PipeDown

Circuit breakers and three wire has been the norm for about 40 or 50 years, IIRC

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

According to Tony Hwang :

They weren't all that unusual in the early 70s. My GP's cottage was done with fuses in '74 (a 200A fuse panel for electric heat!).

I think they were made code-illegal here about 4-5 years later.

Reply to
Chris Lewis

ACTUALLY FUSES PROTECT BETTER THAN BREAKERS.

Provided the idiot homeowner doesnt put in a oversized one, or get shocked changing one.

they are more positive, only age into more sensitive.

but are not convenient when they have opened for whatever reason.

I am interested in other downsides to fuses for a good discussion

Reply to
hallerb

I have a friend who uses all 30 amp fuses in his home so they dont blow:(

On 14 gauge wiring part knob and tube:( Perhaps the OP has a similiar situation:(

The OP may have grounds if its BX cable, in which case he could install all new 3 prong outlets. this would match the age of the home..........

Reply to
hallerb

The electrician came to house today. This is what he said.

We have BX - armored cable thoughout the house.

He said the fuse panel has three 30 amp fuses that are all oversized. There is no 10 guage wiring.

Three of the wires leaving the panel were 12 gauge. I think he said they can support the 20 amp fuses. Two of the wires were rated at 14 gauge which I believe he said only supports 15 amps. None of the fuses in the box were 15 amp fuses.

There are a total of 8 circuits running off the panel. None of them are 10 gauge wire.

The fuse panel brand name is General. They don't sell that brand anymore. The black double pull unit at the bottom didn't have any 30 amp fuses in it.

He would replace with a100 amp 'Murry' brand breaker (?). He said we don't need 200 amp service and doubts we are using more than 50 amps as things stand now. We don't have an electric stove, jacuzzi, electric dryer, central air or a disposal unit.

There are at least 5 junction boxes down cellar. He would break them up and put each outgoing wire on a separate circuit going back to the panel.

He gave me an estimate of $1600 for installation and materials.

It includes:

  1. 100 amp breaker panel. He wasn't sure how many circuits. Perhaps 24.
  2. 100 meter socket
  3. PVC mast (for outside the house going to the electric company's system)
  4. 2 ground rods
  5. main ground to water pipe.

He told me to get a couple estimates from a couple other electricians and to verify what he said about the system. I gather it's a good price.

Anyone care to offer an opinion or feedback... I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Reply to
Charlie S.

His plan sounds good! But you also need to unload some of those 30 amp improperly fused circuits so breakers dont trip constantly, put some proper 15 amp fuses in them and see how long they last:(

Heavy loads are washer, gas dryer, furnace, any A/C or window units? Use hair dryers or curling irons in bathroom? how about kitchen? Countertop appliances like microwaves, toaster ovens etc can draw lots of amps.

I would install dedicated GFCI circuits to bathroom, kitchen, seperate circuits for washer dryer, furnace, etc.

This way the remaining circuits can carry the load. I dont know how much extra 200 amps would cost but do know I am sorry I didnt do that.

Long term the BX supports upgrading to all grounded outlets

Reply to
hallerb

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