Why upgrade your fuse box?
Old rewireable fuse boxes and early plastic consumer units offer very little protection against electric shock or fire. Many have no RCD protection at all, which means a fault on a circuit can go undetected until someone is hurt or something overheats. A modern consumer unit trips within milliseconds of a fault developing.
A consumer unit upgrade is also the point at which we test every circuit in the property, so you find out about any hidden earthing, bonding or insulation problems at the same time.
What a new consumer unit gives you
- Metal-clad enclosure to current 18th Edition fire safety requirements
- Individual RCBOs so a fault on one circuit no longer takes out the whole house
- Surge protection device (SPD) to protect electronics from voltage spikes
- Arc fault detection (AFDD) options where appropriate
- Main earthing and bonding checked and brought up to standard
- Clear circuit labelling and an Electrical Installation Certificate
- Registered with Building Control through NAPIT
How the day goes
We isolate the supply, remove the old board and fit the new consumer unit, transferring and testing each circuit as it is reconnected. Any bonding to gas and water pipework that is missing or undersized is corrected. Most upgrades are complete in a day, and power is off for only part of it.
If a circuit fails its test we tell you straight away and quote for the repair before doing it, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the power be off?
Typically a few hours in the middle of the day while the board is swapped and circuits are tested. Lighting and sockets come back on as each circuit is reconnected.
Do I need a consumer unit upgrade to have an EV charger fitted?
Not always, but the charger needs a dedicated protected circuit. If your board has no spare way or lacks the right protection, upgrading it at the same time is usually the tidiest option.
Is the work notified to Building Control?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work. As NAPIT and Part P registered electricians we certify it and notify Building Control for you.