Fuse board upgrades
Consumer unit and fuse board upgrades
Replace an old fuse box or outdated consumer unit with a modern unit designed to current standards, with the existing circuits checked first and everything tested on completion.
- RCD & RCBO protection
- Non-combustible enclosures
- Surge protection where required
- Tested on completion
Why upgrade your consumer unit?
The consumer unit, often still called the fuse board or fuse box, controls and protects every circuit in the property. Older boards with rewirable fuses, no RCD protection or plastic enclosures may not give the level of protection expected today.
A modern consumer unit typically uses RCBOs or RCDs to protect against earth faults and electric shock, sits in a non-combustible (usually metal) enclosure in homes, and includes surge protection where the current wiring regulations call for it.
Before replacing a board, your electrician checks the condition of the existing circuits. Faults that an old fuse box tolerated can trip a modern RCD, so any issues are explained and quoted before work goes ahead.
Who it's for
For homes, rental properties and businesses
Homeowners
Bring an older board up to date, or upgrade before adding circuits, an extension or an EV charger.
Landlords & letting agents
Act on EICR observations and upgrade boards in rental properties, with access arranged around tenants.
Businesses
Replacement and alteration of distribution boards, planned to keep downtime to a minimum.
The details
What to expect
What's involved
The power will be off for much of a domestic changeover. Your electrician will confirm timings beforehand so you can plan around it.
- Checks of the existing circuits and earthing arrangements
- Removal of the old board and installation of the new consumer unit
- Circuits connected, labelled and tested
- Documentation for the work, and a walk-through of how to use and test the protective devices
Building Regulations
Replacing a consumer unit in a home is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. Your electrician will explain how the work will be notified and certified before it starts.
How it works
A simple process
No online booking or payment is needed. Scope, availability and payment arrangements are agreed before anything is booked.
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Step 1: Get in touch
Send details and, if you can, photos of the board taken from a safe position, with the cover left on.
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Step 2: Survey & quotation
Your electrician looks at the installation and provides a quotation.
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Step 3: Booking confirmed
The date and expected power-off period are confirmed separately.
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Step 4: Installation & testing
The new unit is installed, circuits are tested and the paperwork is completed.
Ready to discuss your job?
Based in Hoddesdon, serving homes and businesses within a 20 mile radius. Send your postcode to confirm coverage and availability.
Questions
Consumer units FAQs
How long does a consumer unit replacement take?
Many domestic changeovers take around a day, but it depends on the number of circuits and what the pre-installation checks find. The power will be off for much of the work.
Do I need a new consumer unit?
Not always. If your board is old, has no RCD protection, has been damaged or was flagged on an EICR, an upgrade may be recommended. Your electrician will look at the installation and explain the options.
Why might a new consumer unit trip when the old one didn't?
RCD protection detects small earth leakage currents that older fuses can't. Existing faults on circuits or appliances can therefore show up after an upgrade. Checking the circuits first helps find these before the changeover.
Can I send photos of my fuse board first?
Yes. Send photos on WhatsApp, taken from a safe position. Please don't remove the cover or any panels.
Related services
Contact
Let's discuss your electrical work
Call, email or send a WhatsApp message. Your electrician will discuss the work with you and provide a quotation. The booking is then confirmed separately.
Based in Hoddesdon, serving homes and businesses within a 20 mile radius. Send your postcode to confirm coverage and availability.
Emergencies: available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call rather than message.
Send photos for a quote
Photos help your electrician understand the job. Take them from a safe position and don't remove covers from the consumer unit, sockets, switches or fittings. If anything is hot, sparking or smells of burning, keep clear and call instead.
Send photos on WhatsAppRequest a quote
Fill in your details and select Continue to WhatsApp. WhatsApp opens with your enquiry prepared, and you then tap Send in WhatsApp. Nothing is sent until you do.