Your consumer unit, or fuse board, is the heart of your electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit in your home and, crucially, protects you from electrical fires and electric shock. But if yours is more than 15-20 years old, it may not be doing its job properly.
Signs you need an upgrade
If your consumer unit has rewirable fuses, a wooden back board, or no RCD protection, it does not meet current safety standards. While there is no legal requirement to upgrade, the safety benefits are significant. Modern units with RCBOs protect each circuit individually, so a fault in one room does not trip the whole house.
What is involved?
A consumer unit upgrade typically takes a full day. We isolate the supply, remove the old board, install the new unit, and reconnect every circuit. Each circuit is then tested individually and the whole installation is certified with an Electrical Installation Certificate.
Cost
A standard consumer unit upgrade for a typical three-bedroom house costs between 500 and 800 pounds including the unit, installation, and certification. It is one of the most cost-effective safety improvements you can make to your home.
Is it disruptive?
You will be without power for most of the day, so it is worth planning around it. We work as efficiently as possible and always aim to have everything back on before the end of the working day. It is one day of inconvenience for years of improved safety.
