Consumer Unit Upgrade Guide: Is It Time to Replace Your Fuse Board?

What Is a Consumer Unit?

A consumer unit (also called a fuse board) is the central hub of your home's electrical system. It distributes electricity to all circuits and provides protection through RCDs (Residual Current Devices) and MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers).

Signs Your Fuse Board Needs Replacing

1. It Has Rewirable Fuses

If your fuse board has old-style rewirable fuses (ceramic fuse holders with wire inside), it's at least 40 years old and lacks modern safety features.

2. No RCD Protection

RCDs are life-saving devices that trip instantly when they detect an earth fault. If your board doesn't have RCDs (look for test buttons), you're missing crucial protection.

3. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks

Any discolouration or burning smell from your fuse board requires immediate attention. This indicates overheating connections that could cause a fire.

4. Frequent Tripping

If circuits trip regularly without an obvious cause, your fuse board may be failing or undersized for modern demands.

5. You're Adding Circuits

Adding new circuits (EV charger, electric shower, home office) often requires a consumer unit upgrade to accommodate them.

Benefits of a Modern Consumer Unit

Enhanced Safety

• Full RCBO protection – individual circuit protection as standard
• No nuisance tripping – one fault doesn't affect the whole house
• Surge protection guards against lightning and power surges
• Arc fault detection (AFDDs) in newest units

Convenience

• Clear labelling so you know which switch controls what
• Easy-to-use switches instead of fiddly fuses
• More circuit capacity for modern electrical demands

Compliance

Modern consumer units meet current 18th Edition wiring regulations and are required for:

• Insurance compliance
• Selling your property
• Passing an EICR inspection

Consumer Unit Upgrade Costs in Devon

We only install full RCBO boards as our minimum standard:

Prices include supply, installation, testing, and Part P certification

Types of Consumer Unit

Split-Load Consumer Unit

The most common type. Has two RCDs, each protecting half the circuits. If one RCD trips, you lose power to half the house.

Pros: Cost-effective, good protection

Cons: Nuisance tripping can affect multiple circuits

All-RCBO Consumer Unit

Each circuit has its own RCBO (combined RCD and MCB). If one circuit trips, only that circuit is affected.

Pros: Maximum protection, no nuisance tripping

Cons: Higher initial cost

Main Switch Only

Just a main switch with MCBs but no RCDs. Now obsolete and doesn't meet current regulations.

What Happens During Installation?

1. Assessment

We check your current setup, assess the supply capacity, and discuss your requirements.

2. Power Isolation

The power is switched off at the meter. We work as quickly as possible to minimise disruption.

3. Old Board Removal

The old consumer unit is disconnected and removed safely.

4. New Board Installation

The new consumer unit is mounted, and all circuits are connected and tested.

5. Testing & Certification

We test every circuit and provide your Electrical Installation Certificate.

Duration

Most consumer unit upgrades take 4-6 hours. Power is restored the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to rewire when upgrading the consumer unit?

Not necessarily. If your existing wiring is in good condition, you can upgrade just the consumer unit. We'll check your circuits during installation.

Can I upgrade my fuse board myself?

No. Consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P regulations and must be done by a registered electrician.

Will my electricity be off all day?

Typically 4-6 hours. We can't restore power until testing is complete, but we work efficiently to minimise downtime.

Is a consumer unit upgrade worth it?

Absolutely. It's one of the best safety investments you can make. The cost is relatively low compared to a full rewire, but the safety improvement is significant.

Ready to upgrade your fuse board? Grant's Electrical Solutions serves Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torquay, and all of Devon. Call 01626 374 059 for a quote.