Consumer Unit Brands Compared: Which Fuse Board Is Best?

Choosing a Consumer Unit

When upgrading your fuse board, the brand and specification matter. We install all major brands and can explain the differences to help you choose.

Why Brand Matters

• Build quality affects longevity
• Safety features vary between ranges
• Warranty periods differ significantly
• Spare parts availability varies
• Installer familiarity affects installation quality

Top Consumer Unit Brands

1. Hager

Our Top Recommendation

Pros:

• Outstanding build quality
• Excellent terminal connections
• Wide range of options
• Lifetime warranty
• Best-in-class components

Cons:

• Higher price than budget options
• Premium for premium features

Our View: Worth the extra investment. The best boards we install.

2. Wylex (Electrium)

Popular Mid-Range Choice

Pros:

• Well-known UK brand
• Good value for money
• Widely available
• Solid performance
• Good trade support

Cons:

• Not as refined as Hager
• Shorter warranty

Our View: Good solid choice for budget-conscious upgrades.

3. Schneider Electric

Quality European Brand

Pros:

• High quality components
• Good range of options
• Strong commercial heritage
• Widely respected

Cons:

• Slightly shorter warranty
• Less common in residential

Our View: Excellent choice, especially for larger installations.

4. Eaton (MEM)

Reliable Workhorse

Pros:

• Long UK history
• Reliable performance
• Good availability
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Some changes after company acquisitions
• Less innovative than leaders

Our View: Reliable traditional choice.

5. Budget Brands

What We Avoid

Brands we don't recommend:

• No-name imports - Untested, poor quality
• Grey market products - No UK warranty
• Obsolete ranges - Spares unavailable

Why We Avoid:

• Safety cannot be compromised
• False economy when problems arise
• No proper warranty support
• Potentially non-compliant

Consumer Unit Types

Metal Consumer Units

Since 2016, all domestic consumer units must be metal-enclosed:

Why We Only Install RCBO Boards

We install full RCBO boards as our minimum standard. Here's why:

RCBO Advantages

• Individual circuit protection – One fault doesn't affect others
• Easier fault finding – Clear which circuit tripped
• No nuisance tripping – Faults isolated to single circuits
• Better for solar – Avoids common compatibility issues
• Premium protection – Gold standard in electrical safety

Comparison Table

Consumer Unit Costs

Our Standard: Full RCBO Boards

We only install full RCBO boards as our minimum standard:

Prices include testing, certification, and making good

What We Install

Our Standard Specification

For most upgrades, we recommend:

• Hager Design 30 range
• Metal enclosure (compliant)
• Dual RCD or RCBO configuration
• Surge protection option
• Clear labelling
• Full documentation

Premium Specification

For larger homes or those wanting the best:

• Hager VML range
• Full RCBO protection
• Type 2 surge protection
• Main switch with overload
• Expandability for future

Surge Protection

Why It Matters

Since 2018, surge protection is required where surge damage would have serious consequences:

• Valuable electronics - Computers, home cinema
• Smart home systems - Vulnerable to surges
• Solar installations - Inverters at risk
• Rural properties - More vulnerable to lightning

Surge Protection Options

Our Recommendations

Our Standard Installation

Full RCBO boards only - We don't install basic dual RCD boards. Every customer gets individual circuit protection as standard.

Best Overall

Hager Design 30 with RCBO - Lifetime warranty, excellent quality, best protection.

Best for Large Homes

Hager VML Series - Expandable, high capacity, full RCBO configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?

Typically 4-6 hours for a straightforward upgrade.

Will I be without power?

Yes, for the duration. We complete in one day.

Do you need to notify Building Control?

We're CHAS approved, so we self-certify and notify automatically.

Can I upgrade the board myself?

No. Consumer unit work must be done by a registered electrician.

Need a consumer unit upgrade in Devon? Call Grant's Electrical Solutions on 01626 374 059 for expert advice.