Sparkies: Relocating Fusebox.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Sparkies: Relocating Fusebox.

eracode

3878 posts

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# 173483 25-May-2015 12:23

We are soon moving to a late-model house where the fuse-box (not sure if they are still called that?) is in the garage but in an inconvenient spot - would like to put garage storage and workbench etc there.

Is it possible to get a sparkie to relocate it on, say, another wall a metre or two away? If it is possible, is it a big job?

Thanks.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

stevenz

2786 posts

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# 1311235 25-May-2015 12:37

It can absolutely be done. Depending on the age\quality of the wiring, the number of circuits, the materials the wall are made of etc. it could potentially be a major job. You might get lucky.

Depending how old it is, the changes in regulations may mean some additional circuits may need to be run and/or RCD breakers added. If it's "late model" as you say then you might be ok.

I asked about the exact same thing, waiting for the wife's brother who is an electrician to get back from holiday to actually do the job.

I just want the fuses moved from the external meter box to the opposite side of the wall inside the garage so as to remove the risk of having to deal with fuses in the rain.

@KnightNZ

Fred99

8792 posts

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# 1311238 25-May-2015 12:39

Yes it's possible, but yes - it's probably also going to be a big job - I'd anticipate a cost in the $000s not $00s.
Perhaps it can be recessed rather than relocated - which might save a lot in re-wiring.

tdgeek

18305 posts

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# 1311239 25-May-2015 12:44

Fred99: Yes it's possible, but yes - it's probably also going to be a big job - I'd anticipate a cost in the $000s not $00s.
Perhaps it can be recessed rather than relocated - which might save a lot in re-wiring.

What a great suggestion. Recess it, and build shelving over it, allowing for access, and easily removeable coupla shelves for better access.

wellygary

4138 posts

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# 1311322 25-May-2015 14:05

tdgeek:
Fred99: Yes it's possible, but yes - it's probably also going to be a big job - I'd anticipate a cost in the $000s not $00s.
Perhaps it can be recessed rather than relocated - which might save a lot in re-wiring.

What a great suggestion. Recess it, and build shelving over it, allowing for access, and easily removeable coupla shelves for better access.

I a "Late-model" house ( i.e anything in the last 10 years) I would already expect that this is alreay recessed,

Moving a Disribution baord (the thing I think the OP is talking about) is a PITA, the circuit cables are all terminated there, unless you are moving the board to shorten all the runs, you would end up having to rewire each run to the first outlet connection, not a nice thing to do.....

eracode

3878 posts

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# 1311511 25-May-2015 18:50

Thanks guys - appreciate the thoughts. I guess we will know only when we get a sparkie in to look at it - which in hindsight was always going to be the answer. It's actually a brand-new house.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Huntakillaz

139 posts

Master Geek

# 1318560 7-Jun-2015 09:17

I asked about something similar but for a house from 1960's, as i wanted to update to breaker switches vs fuses, also possibly relocate it too.

Just replacing the board i was told it's be about $2000 just for replacement, but since i was going to pretty much rewire the whole house sometime in the next few years told me best to do it then and to pre plan all the wiring layouts.