Is it safe to turn off the power at the fuse box?
Yes — that's literally what the main switch is for. The consumer unit is designed to be operated by the householder. Here's how to do it without surprises.
Find the right switch
The biggest switch in your consumer unit (usually red, sometimes labelled 'Mains' or 'Main Switch') isolates everything downstream. Flicking it down kills power to every socket, light and circuit in the house.
Step by step
- Shut down any computers, save what you're working on.
- Switch off sensitive electronics at the wall (TVs, sound systems).
- Flick the main switch to OFF.
- Confirm by trying a light switch.
- When you're done, flick the main switch back ON. Reset any individual breakers that haven't snapped back up.
What WON'T turn off
- The supply tails between your meter and consumer unit — these are still live. Don't open the consumer unit cover.
- Anything wired before the consumer unit (rare in domestic).
- Battery-backed alarms, smoke detectors and UPSs.
When to leave it alone
If the consumer unit is buzzing, hot, smells of burning bakelite, or has visible scorch marks — don't touch it. Call us or, if in doubt, call Electricity North West on 105 to have the meter pulled.
Doing actual work?
Switching off at the main switch is fine for changing a light fitting in normal circumstances, but the only legally safe method for any work on the fixed wiring is lock-off and prove dead with a tester. That's our day job.