My house's circuit break box has been repaired & modified, and the original cover no longer fit the switches.

It looks dangerous with wires exposed, so I would like to know what's the typical way to fix this? is there any casing I can buy online to cover it, or need to hire an electrician and install new cover/box for me?

U can buy the metal clad DB box.
https://shopee.com.my/product/84121071/1797392184

It would be best to call an electrician to do, because of the fact that the live incomer is highly dangerous and is still hot (from TNB). And practically all the neutrals and grounds need to be disconnected.

While you're at it, can refresh (replace) all the little multi9 old MCB to ABB one (only 7-8 bucks each) coz having different brands on the busbar means there is tolerance difference (its really like stuffing a toyota engine into a honda) and that can cause fire. Also get the wireman to change the busbar and check the pigtails are correctly sized.

It is also good to migrate (replace) the black switch fuse to a ABB 2P MCB of the correct rating because MCB can reset, fuse blow middle of the night gone case lah you need to wait till shop open.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Oct 16 2021, 02:35 AM

Good suggestion for safety but if TS on tight budget and currently no issue with his house then can just buy the cover. Just showing an example from Shopee but it's better for TS to show the picture and buy from shop so they can advised the correct cover to buy.Cover

This post has been edited by adamw: Oct 16 2021, 09:42 AM

Noted, is it dangerous to leave this on as in picture without cover?

If call electrician to do this properly (replace multi9 & black switch fuse, etc), roughly how much is the budget to expect?

Temporarily ok la. But long term proper box safer. Never know when a bug or cicak will put legs across live and neutral terminals kinda thing.

To come (non emergency call) $200 exclude parts.
Up to 250-350 for parts + bit more for ancillary small stuff.
If ur supply is 40A then much cheaper than 63A rated component.

So you can estimate 500-600
Parts i est on ABB 6kA spec ya. ABB n Hager same top tier, gooding one can last you 30 years hassle free. Hager more exp so usually we use ABB. Put gooding one very little false trip issue.

Replace multi9
Say about 8/little MCB (per unit) x11 so 88 total

Replace main sw fuse
Say about EITHER $36 for 40A or $45 for 63A 2P MCB to replace switch fuse

RCD (optional)
RCD that hager unit i'd reuse if its healthy and 30mA type. Else new one EITHER $73 for 2P 30mA 40A, or $129 for 2P 30mA 63A.

Metal DB box
$95 gets you Eaton. Cheaper brand also 10 15 bucks saving nia.
Plastic one tarak bagus, can combust one. And after 20 yrs same problem again (harden n brittle); metal one buy one for life.

Ancillaries
Busbar and spare 16mm short wires maybe about 25-30

This post has been edited by ceo684: Oct 16 2021, 05:07 PM

klangboy83 This is a very informative post with fair priced items by ceo684. There is only one caveat that I would like to add. Do not expect the electrician to supply any items at the retail price without markup.

And I unfortunately slightly disagree that a 40A DB is "much cheaper" than a 63A DB. There is a slight saving in the RCCB and incoming isolator/mainswitch, but everything else, MCBs, busbar, wires, metal box, etc more or less costs the same.

This post has been edited by stormer.lyn: Oct 16 2021, 07:25 PM

Yup, that bolded statement is true.

To the electrician:
Supply by electrician will definitely have markup. Need to keep stock, storage costs, cashflow stuck there, time taken to order and collect the parts, etc. Time taken to buy parts (and/or wait for orders to come) is time that we can be making money elsewhere.

Supply by end user saves time (as long as customer know what they want and what parts to buy).

To the end user:
If budget is a concern then you can get the parts on your time.
Full service "supply and install" solution cost more than "install".

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stormer.lyn
You are correct

Generally a little minor savings for those two components.
I think I wanted to say, for 40A DB (single phase/3 phase) putting in top tier stuff is not expensive throughout.

... (as compared to 3phase + 63A + 30mA RCDs, that's another level of pricing).

This post has been edited by ceo684: Oct 16 2021, 08:01 PM