An elderly person I know is trying to maintain independent living despite mobility problems and a problem with her hands.
When I was recently visiting her a fuse blew. I found it difficult to reset the fuse and it was not possible for her to do it.
Has anyone any advice on managing a fusebox for someone with difficulties ? Are any adapted for ease of use ?
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Has anyone any advice on managing a fusebox for someone with difficulties ? Are any adapted for ease of use ?
The best solution is to have the fusebox converted to the modern type which has circuit breakers, these pop out in case of an overload and are reset by simply pushing small buttons back or flipping small switches.
I would not think this would be very expensive or take an electrician long.
(if there is a serious fault/short circuit they'll pop out again and need an electrician's services, of course)
Edited by galileo on 28/07/2016 at 17:27
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And long may she continue to be independent.
As our mate Galileo says, get a decent sparky round there to convert the box to circuit breakers.
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Thanks both. I'll make sure that happens. Advice appreciated.
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If these really are fuses (with fuse wire) then the consumer board is well out of date.
Modern circuit-breakers are far safer, in that they can trigger when there's an earth leakage, as well as being very easy to re-set. The only downside is that sometimes they trigger when a bulb fails. And increasingly nowadays, circuits are sub-divided a lot more than used to be the case, so that a problem in one zone will not affect the whole house, or even a whole floor. It won't be possible to do this if it has not already been incorporated, without re-wiring the house. If the wiring is very old, that might be a good plan anyway.
If just the unit is changed, someone with mobility problems might find access to it difficult and some thought should be given to its siting, unless it is already easily accessible. Mine is in the garage and high enough for only a very tall person to be able to reach.
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Thanks FP. I was not accurate in my description. It is a circuit breaker BUT is very stiff to reset - I found it difficult. Probably need a push button set up.
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Hi, You can buy rechargable torches that plug into any spare socket that automaticly light up in the event of a power failure a couple strategicaly placed around the house could be handy.
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Excellent advice - appeciated.
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