Statistics show that fuse panels have a significantly higher

risk of causing a fire than breaker panels. This is usually

due to the fuse being loosely screwed in, or the contacts

corroding and heating up over time, or the wrong size fuse

being installed, or the proverbial "replace the fuse with a

penny" trick.

Since breakers are more permanently installed, and have better

connection mechanisms, the risk of fire is considerably less.

Fuses are prone to explode under extremely high overload. When

a fuse explodes, the metallic vapor cloud becomes a conducting

path. Result? From complete meltdown of the electrical panel,

melted service wiring, through fires in the electrical

distribution transformer and having your house burn down.

Breakers won't do this.