Moved into house recently and the unit looks like this. How do I isolate power? There only seems to be a switch for the master and not individual circuits.

You don't see many like that anymore. Pull out individual fuses to isolate the circuits - although I'd throw the main breaker first. Safety wasn't such a priority when these were installed. The fuse carrier will expose a certain amount of live conductor as it comes out.

2 minutes ago, Radian said:

You don't see many like that anymore. Pull out individual fuses to isolate the circuits - although I'd throw the main breaker first. Safety wasn't such a priority when these were installed. The fuse carrier will expose a certain amount of live conductor as it comes out.

 

Worth an upgrade then 🤣

Old MEM board, sticky fuse, wiggle it about, plastic breaks up and you get a good crack from it. …. Not that I would know 😉

Just now, JCGD said:

 

Worth an upgrade then 🤣

Definitely

If I wanted to work on something around the house am I safer just knocking the mains off then?

15 minutes ago, markc said:

Definitely

 

Is it ok just to upgrade the MCBs (I think that's what they're called) and keep the main unit? I'd be happy having a go at this, assuming I could just switch the main switch off and then change the MCBs.

No.  Any mcb's you find for that will be old / second hand, if you do find any new ones they will silly money. And an rcbo for that is like hens teeth.  Spend the money on a  new up to date consumer unit.

15 minutes ago, ProDave said:

No.  Any mcb's you find for that will be old / second hand, if you do find any new ones they will silly money. And an rcbo for that is like hens teeth.  Spend the money on a  new up to date consumer unit.

 

Any particular brands you'd recommend?

 

Are these any good:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-fortress-16-module-10-way-populated-high-integrity-dual-rcd-consumer-unit/466px

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-fortress-22-module-12-way-populated-high-integrity-dual-rcd-consumer-unit-with-spd/208kr

I have fitted many of the SF BG boards, nothing to complain about 

 

My favourite if money no object is Hager (what i have in my house)

Fuse box 

3 hours ago, ProDave said:

I have fitted many of the SF BG boards, nothing to complain about 

 

My favourite if money no object is Hager (what i have in my house)

 

Thanks - am looking at this unit:

 

 

Does this look ok as a replacement?

Do you think I need to order any extra MCBs etc?

You will need one more 32A mcb as you presently have 6 30A fuses and that Cu conly comes with 5 32A mcb's.

2 minutes ago, ProDave said:

You will need one more 32A mcb as you presently have 6 30A fuses and that Cu conly comes with 5 32A mcb's.

 

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!