Fully renovated pre-war condo with 1930s fuse box

I’m looking to buy a pre war condo in Jersey City. The unit was beautifully gut renovated by current owner (downlights, upscale appliances, bathrooms and kitchen). However home inspection revealed that it has a 1930s fuse box has and the fuses are overrated. A licensed electrician recommended converting to a breaker box, however the unit only has 20-30 amp of electricity coming in and new wires from the basement is prohibitive as owner tried to get condo approval to no avail – they’d like to do it as an overall building update in the unforeeable future. The unit also still has some open ground outlets, though new from the outside, which may suggest that old wires may still be in place and possibly knobs and tubes. Owner seems genuinely surprised of these findings as he obtained permits and the city signed off on the work (maybe because it’s an old building, any old setup such as the fuse box is considered “up to code” as any past setup is grandfathered.)

How woul d you deal with the situation? What impacts (financial, safety, livability, others) would you consider in making your buying decision?

hselemon

in Home Buying 8 years and 9 months ago

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resident2 | 8 years and 9 months ago

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The chances are many people in the building are pulling way too much current through the existing wires, it is a fire trap waiting to happen. Even if you bought in new power to your box, others in the building have not. Which is why the building as a whole should do it… but when?

cmu | 8 years and 9 months ago

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How does an apartment qualify as ‘fully renovated’ if it has a 20-30A (=40-60A in 115v) supply? Though to be fair, 60A is 6900W, which should power a d/w (500-1500w), frij (500w), 2 a/cs (800-1000w) and lights (which use minimal electricity.) Just don’t use the toaster or hairdryer while dishwashing 😉

slopefarm | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Yes, decide whether you want to live in the 1930s or today. if you are at all a denizen of this millenium, you will be unhappy with the wiring. What’s the amperage of the fridge, for example (or is the old ice box still in use, as well)? You are going to overdraw that 20-30 amps pretty quickly.

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 9 months ago

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YEs. You could hardly run a toaster and have the lights on with that amperage.

Arkady | 8 years and 9 months ago

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You’ll find it hard to live w/ only 20 -30 amps of service.