Get a Quote
Planning a fuse board replacement or concerned about your existing electrics? Contact us for honest advice, a clear quotation and a convenient appointment.
Modern Consumer Unit Installations
A modern consumer unit provides improved protection for your home, family, tenants and electrical installation. We carefully assess your existing wiring and circuits before recommending a suitable solution, ensuring the installation is appropriate for your property and electrical requirements.
Our consumer unit installations can include:
- Complete consumer unit replacement
- Fuse board upgrades
- RCBO consumer units for individual circuit protection
- RCD protection
- MCB protective devices
- Surge Protection Devices (SPDs), where required or recommended
- Additional circuits for new appliances or property alterations
- Clear circuit identification and labelling
- Earthing and bonding checks
- Full electrical testing and certification
All work is completed in line with the latest applicable BS 7671 Wiring Regulations. We take time to explain what is involved, so you can make an informed decision about your electrical upgrades.
Fuse Board Repairs and Upgrades
In some cases, a fault can be repaired without replacing the entire unit. However, older fuse boxes may not provide the level of protection expected from a modern installation. Following an inspection, AWB Electrical Services Ltd will provide straightforward advice on whether a repair, fuse board upgrade or complete replacement is the most practical and safe option.
When Should You Replace a Consumer Unit?
Older fuse boards can lack modern safety features, particularly if they use rewireable fuses or do not have adequate RCD protection. A replacement may be advisable if your electrics regularly trip, the consumer unit is damaged, or your property is being substantially altered.
You may need a new consumer unit if:
- Your fuse board has rewireable fuses
- You have an older plastic consumer unit
- Circuits trip frequently or fail to reset
- You are renovating, extending or rewiring your home
- You are installing an EV charger
- Your existing unit is overloaded
- An EICR has identified safety concerns or improvement recommendations
A professional fuse board replacement helps ensure your installation is safer and better suited to modern electrical demands.
The Benefits of a New Consumer Unit
A modern consumer unit provides a safer, more reliable foundation for your home's electrical installation. It is designed to offer improved protection against electric shock, overloads and electrical faults, while making it easier to identify and isolate problems when they occur. A new unit can also ensure your electrics are better prepared for modern living, including additional appliances, renovations and EV charging.
Key benefits include:
- Improved electrical safety with modern protective devices
- RCD protection to help reduce the risk of electric shock
- RCBO protection to isolate faults to individual circuits, reducing disruption elsewhere in the property
- Protection against overloads and short circuits through correctly specified MCBs or RCBOs
- Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) where required or recommended, helping protect sensitive electronic equipment
- Clear circuit labelling for easier identification, maintenance and fault finding
- Greater capacity for future additions, such as new kitchen appliances, extensions, lighting or EV chargers
- A fully tested and certified installation completed in line with applicable BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
FAQs
What to Know About Fuse Board and Consumer Units
How do I know if my fuse board needs replacing?
Your fuse board may need replacing if it has rewireable fuses, is damaged, regularly trips, cannot be reset, lacks RCD protection or has been highlighted on an EICR. AWB Electrical Services Ltd can inspect the installation and advise whether repair, upgrade or replacement is most suitable.
What is the difference between an old fuse board and a modern consumer unit?
Older fuse boards may use rewireable fuses and provide limited protection. A modern consumer unit uses protective devices such as MCBs, RCDs and RCBOs to help protect against electric shock, overloads and electrical faults, with clearer circuit labelling and improved testing access.
How much does a consumer unit replacement cost?
The cost of consumer unit replacement depends on the number of circuits, condition of the existing wiring, earthing and bonding arrangements, required protective devices and any remedial work identified during testing. AWB Services provides clear quotations following an assessment of your property.
How long does it take to replace a consumer unit?
Many consumer unit replacements can be completed within one working day, although timing depends on the size and condition of the installation and whether faults or additional work are found. Testing, labelling and certification are completed before the new unit is put into service.
Do I need my consumer unit upgraded to meet current regulations?
An older consumer unit does not automatically need replacing solely because regulations have changed. However, an upgrade may be recommended where the existing unit is unsafe, damaged, lacks suitable protection, is overloaded or has unsatisfactory EICR observations.
Will my power need to be turned off during the installation?
Yes. Your electrical supply will normally need to be isolated while the old fuse board is removed, the new consumer unit is installed and the circuits are tested. AWB Services will explain the expected disruption and aim to keep the outage as short as practical.
Can a faulty consumer unit cause my electrics to trip?
Yes. A faulty protective device, loose connection, damaged consumer unit or fault on one of the connected circuits can cause repeated tripping. An electrician can test the consumer unit and circuits to identify the cause rather than simply resetting the switch.
What are RCBOs and RCDs, and why are they important?
RCDs disconnect the supply when they detect certain earth leakage faults, helping reduce the risk of electric shock. RCBOs combine RCD and overcurrent protection for individual circuits, meaning a fault is more likely to affect only one circuit rather than several.
Can you replace my fuse board during a home renovation or rewire?
Yes. A consumer unit replacement is often appropriate during a renovation, extension or rewire, particularly where new circuits are being added for kitchens, lighting, appliances or an EV charger. The installation can be designed around your updated electrical requirements.
Will a new consumer unit improve the safety of my home?
A correctly specified and installed modern consumer unit can improve electrical safety by providing appropriate RCD or RCBO protection, circuit protection, clear labelling and the option for surge protection devices where required or recommended. It should always be paired with suitable wiring and earthing arrangements.
Do landlords need to upgrade consumer units in rental properties?
Landlords must ensure the electrical installation in a rental property is safe and arrange periodic electrical safety checks, usually supported by an EICR. A consumer unit upgrade may be needed if the existing unit is unsafe or if remedial work is required to achieve a satisfactory report.
Commercial Services
Electrical PPM Contracts
Electrical Testing and Inspections
Emergency Lighting
EV Chargers
New Electrical Installations
Office Fit Outs
Three Phase Power Installations
Domestic Services
Emergency Call Outs
Consumer Units and Fuse Boards
Home EV Chargers
Rewiring and Extensions
New build Electricians
Electrical Tests and Inspections
General Electrical Services