Fuse board and consumer unit replacement
Your consumer unit decides what happens in the split second something goes wrong. An old fuse box can't protect you from an electric shock at all. A modern board can, and it's usually done in a day.
What happens when something goes wrong?
Pick a fault and see how a modern consumer unit handles it, then switch to an old fuse box and try again. Tap any device on the modern board to see what it does.
Signs your fuse board needs replacing
- Rewireable fuses with fuse wire, or a wooden back board
- No RCD, or one RCD that cuts power to half the house
- A plastic consumer unit (new domestic boards must be non-combustible)
- Scorch marks, buzzing, a burning smell or a board that feels warm
- Trips you can't explain or that keep happening
- No spare ways for an EV charger, shower, heat pump or garden room
- An EICR that's recommended it
Why it matters
The biggest difference is shock protection. A fuse or circuit breaker only reacts to too much current, like a short circuit. If a person touches something live, the current through their body is far too small to blow a fuse, but more than enough to kill. An RCD or RCBO spots that leakage and cuts the power in around 40 milliseconds.
Modern boards also protect your electronics from surges, and can detect the arcing from a loose connection before it starts a fire.
What a board change involves
Most consumer unit replacements take a day, with the power off for part of it.
Test first
We test your existing circuits. Hidden faults that an old fuse box ignores will trip a new RCBO, so we find them first and tell you.
Power down
The supply is isolated. We'll agree timings so you're not without heating or the fridge for long.
Fit the board
New metal consumer unit fitted, circuits connected to their own RCBOs, surge protection added, earthing and bonding checked.
Test and label
Every circuit tested and clearly labelled, so you know what's what.
Certify
Electrical Installation Certificate, Building Regulations notification, and a quick run-through of how to reset it.
Tell Carl what you need
Free, no-obligation quotes across the Wirral. Most enquiries get a reply the same working day.