Modern switchboards contain circuit protection called Residual Current Devices (RCD). These can be easily identified as each switch is accompanied by a smaller button. Older devices such as standalone circuit breakers or fuses cannot detect small power variations between the two wires that carry power. This variation can occur when a person or animal comes into contact, acting as another path for electricity to flow through other than the second wire. When this misbalance occurs the circuit is cut off by the RCD. This is the difference between life and death and is mandatory on new installations or old circuits that have been modified for add-ons, an example of this is power points or lights. These also help prevent fires if a rodent were to bite through a cable in your roof. Think of this as more important than your tv or mobile phone upgrade. So many houses have switchboards without these devices particularly in older areas. The upgrade on an average house is a similar cost to a moderate priced new tv. Please consider this as its going to last much longer than that tv and so will you in the event of an electrical accident.
