Why Do Sellers Usually Include A Photo Of The Fusebox

[Big Boy]

Planning my big move for next year, I regularly scan the web to see what property is for sale. On many sites, where photographs of pre-owned properties are displayed, there is invariably a photo of the fusebox. Can somebody please tell me why it is so important to see a photo of the fusebox amongst the photos of various rooms?

Should I be looking for properties with a particular type/standard of fuse box?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but for a complete diy type ignoramous like me, it seems a very strange thing to show prospective buyers. However, as so many do it, I'm sure there must be some relevance.

[PeteC]

One thing that comes to mind quickly is hopefully they're showing that the house has circuit breakers and not the old screw in type fuses. Secondly, perhaps to show how many circuits the house has and the amp rating, if the photos are close up enough. That's my two guesses, over to others. Pete

[Big Boy]

Yes, they're usually fairly close up, and they look like circuit breakers. .............. Now for the ignoramous bit (as far as I'm concerned, electricity just happens when I flick the switch) , what is the relevance of how many circuits please?

Looking at property in the UK was never like this

[PeteC]

It's not really how many but what is on each one. Each aircon should have its own. Kitchen plugs that will have multiple devices such as microwave, toaster etc., should be rated at high enough amps to handle the load. Many places have one just for the water pump(s). Many houses will have one for multiple plugs such as "upstairs lights/outlets". That's fine if there isn't a heavy load. If you have one plug where all your computer/printer/scanner/fax/stereo may be on it's best to have a separate circuit just for that outlet.

Unfortunately you'll find that many Thai houses don't have nearly enough outlets. They like to be frugal when building and have perhaps one plug on some far wall for an entire room. People then run those multi-socket strips all over the place to hook everything up to that one outlet.

When you view these places you have to walk around and picture what you will have where and then match it up to how the place is wired to the breakers, and at what rating. You may then have to do some re-wiring and circuit adding which really isn't a big deal or that expensive, but best to get it done before you move in IMO. Pete

EDIT: I forgot hot water heaters. If you want to upgrade to a more powerful unit, you have to look at things closely. Some come with their own in-line breaker that's located right at the plug where the machine is, in addition to the main breaker in the panel box downstairs or wherever. Regardless of this separate breaker, if the machine amps are high you may need to upgrade the main breaker as well.

I have a feeling that you'll be buying a house owned by a foreign family and that's good as the chances are better that he took all this electricity stuff into consideration and did any upgrades already....fingers crossed.

[Big Boy]

Thanks Pete, that was clear enough to understand - even for me. My intention is to spend a bit bringing whatever I buy up to an acceptable standard, while still renting. Obviously, that will be a priority job.

[chopsticks]

Have a read through these pages : www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/index.html

As a minimum ensure the property has an electric installation that is correctly earthed and has a safety cut-out device fitted. This will limit any fault current and help prevent risk of electrocution if there is a fault.

[splitlid]

BB i have never seen this before, could you post a few links so i can see what you mean.
many thanks

[hhfarang]

Is this what you mean Big Boy. This is what they should look like in a well built western style home (and they should be hidden, not on the living room wall like in Thai houses (mine are in a storage closet along with the alarm controls and batteries). Most homes probably only need one, but with the number of pumps, air cons, and other appliances we have we had to have two installed to have enough breakers.

[VincentD]

See if you can get them to post a picture of the meter as well.

The reason? Depending on the age of the house, the ratings back then and now are different. It used to be just a 5 amp meter unless otherwise specified, and I had a neighbour who had installed aircon and other stuff and you could literally see the wheel merrily spinning (instead of slowly turning) as the consumption ramped up.
In Bangkok it used to be either a 5 amp standard, or 15 amp requested. Standard in the countryside was 10 amp. Oh, and grounding (i.e. a 3 wire system) was totally non-existent then. I had to do it myself. It is fairly standard now.
Note that you may have to change the main circuit breaker to something that has an included ELCB (earth leakage circuit breaker, or whatever it is they call it these days).

[Nereus]

See if you can get them to post a picture of the meter as well.

The reason? Depending on the age of the house, the ratings back then and now are different. It used to be just a 5 amp meter unless otherwise specified, and I had a neighbour who had installed aircon and other stuff and you could literally see the wheel merrily spinning (instead of slowly turning) as the consumption ramped up.
In Bangkok it used to be either a 5 amp standard, or 15 amp requested. Standard in the countryside was 10 amp. Oh, and grounding (i.e. a 3 wire system) was totally non-existent then. I had to do it myself. It is fairly standard now.
Note that you may have to change the main circuit breaker to something that has an included ELCB (earth leakage circuit breaker, or whatever it is they call it these days).

Yes, I was going to comment similarly, but BB did say just the distribution board.

The system used here does not mean that the supply is just 5 amps, (or whatever).
They are using 3 different ratings: 5/15, 15/45 and 30/100 amps. The first figure is the amps that the meter is calibrated at, the second figure is the maximum amp rating of the meter.

If you wish to upgrade the supply the first thing that should be looked at is the size
(sq mm), of the main supply conductor, after calculating the total load to be placed on the system, and then size everything else accordingly.

[Nereus]

Don`t let this happen to you:

[Big Boy]

BB i have never seen this before, could you post a few links so i can see what you mean.
many thanks

I'm sorry splitlid, the forum rules won't allow me to post links - I wouldn't want to upset the Moderators

I've copied a couple of the photos (which look nothing like hhfarang's photos):

Number3.jpg (19.07 KiB) Viewed 1060 times

The above photos have been captured randomly from an Estate Agent's site, and are not necessarily properties that I've been looking at. Comments on what's good and what's bad would be good please.

[Nereus]

BB, do NOT enter any house that still has those "switchboards" show in the first and last photos.

The other two are the modern type with MCB circuit breakers. HHF photos are commercial type 3 phase "load centres", most unlikely to be found in a house, although the equipment is the same type as the smaller house units, commonly referred to as a "consumer distribution board" , but to answer your original question: I have no idea! TIT I guess.

[Big Boy]

BB, do NOT enter any house that still has those "switchboards" show in the first and last photos.

Thanks Nereus, I guessed somebody would come back at me and say that. It seems strange that Estate Agents would bring that to prospective buyer's notice. I suppose it proves that all Estate Agents are honest

Ok, a point of clarification please. I said earlier that I intend having any property renovated to my own tastes. I'm assuming it is still possible to upgrade the wiring to decent standards with a decent electrician. Is that assumption correct please?

[Nereus]

BB, do NOT enter any house that still has those "switchboards" show in the first and last photos.

Thanks Nereus, I guessed somebody would come back at me and say that. It seems strange that Estate Agents would bring that to prospective buyer's notice. I suppose it proves that all Estate Agents are honest

Ok, a point of clarification please. I said earlier that I intend having any property renovated to my own tastes. I'm assuming it is still possible to upgrade the wiring to decent standards with a decent electrician. Is that assumption correct please?

Ha,Ha, , there are two oxymoron's in that question--decent standard and decent electrician.
There must be both somewhere, but I don`t know where in Hua Hin!

Yes, it is possible to upgrade anything. One thing to consider with the electrical wiring is trying to get it concealed, that is if the Thai style of tacking it down the outside of the wall annoys you like it does me. Modern material and fittings are most definitely available, so it is more of a matter of finding somebody to do it how you want it.