The fusebox can be found in all domestic premises. This small unit is usually found adjacent to the electricity meter, if fitted, very close to the entry point for the electricity supply to the building. The purpose of the fusebox is two-fold, firstly and most importantly to protect the connected electrical circuits via fuses or circuit breakers, secondly the fusebox acts as a distribution point where all of the lighting, power and auxiliary circuits may be connected to the incoming mains supply.
The fusebox consists of a double pole switch, which is able to switch both live and neutral lines simultaneously, this will switch off and on the power to all circuits connected to the fusebox. The neutral line is connected to a bus connector, as are all the connected circuit's neutral lines. Therefore, the neutral line is not fused. The live supply is taken to a live bus bar onto which are connected multiple fuse carriers. The live of each circuit is connected to the other side of the appropriate fuse carrier. A wired fuse or circuit breaker bridges the gap in the carrier to supply a live line to each individual circuit. If excess current is drawn by a circuit due to a fault the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip rendering the circuit safe.
The earth connection for each circuit is connected to an earthing block which in turn is cross bonded to gas and water pipes for maximum earthing integrity.
