07935 839378cobhamelectricalcontractors@outlook.com Mon–Sat 8am–6pm · 24/7 Emergency Call-Outs HomeAboutServices Our WorkAreas We Cover ReviewsSpecialsContact07935 839378Request Estimate - Home - Services - Consumer Unit UpgradesConsumer Unit Upgrades # Consumer Unit Upgradesfor Safer Homes in Cobham Your fuse board is the heart of your home's electrical system. An outdated unit without RCD protection leaves your family exposed to electric shock and fire risk. Request a Free Estimate 07935 839378 Completed in one day · Full certification included · Hager & Schneider units fitted 1 DayCompletion NAPITRegistration Fully InsuredCoverage 200+Units Fitted 4.9★Rating ## What Is a Consumer Unit Upgrade? A consumer unit (commonly called a fuse board or fuse box) is the central distribution point for your home's electrical supply. It contains the main switch, circuit breakers (MCBs), and residual current devices (RCDs) that protect every circuit in your property. If your property still has an old-style fuse board with rewirable fuses or cartridge fuses, it lacks RCD protection — the single most important safety feature in modern electrical installations. RCDs detect earth faults and disconnect the power in under 40 milliseconds, preventing fatal electric shocks. A consumer unit upgrade replaces your existing fuse board with a modern, metal-clad unit containing dual RCD protection and correctly rated circuit breakers for every circuit. The upgrade typically takes one day and includes full testing and certification. We install Hager and Schneider consumer units as standard — commercial-grade units that meet all current regulatory requirements and provide reliable protection for decades. Need expert help? Get a free, no-obligation estimate or call 07935 839378 — we respond within 2 hours. ## Our Consumer Unit Upgrades Work ## Why Outdated Fuse Boards Are a Serious Risk An old fuse board doesn't just look outdated — it actively fails to protect your home. Modern electrical safety depends on RCD protection, and if your fuse board predates this technology, every circuit in your home is unprotected against the most common electrical hazards. - No RCD protection means a fault in any appliance or circuit can deliver a lethal electric shock - Rewirable fuses can be incorrectly rated, allowing dangerous overloads to go undetected - Plastic fuse board enclosures are a fire risk — current regulations require non-combustible metal enclosures - Insurance companies increasingly require evidence of a modern consumer unit for cover to remain valid - Property transactions can stall when surveyors identify non-compliant fuse boards - Old fuse boards cannot accommodate modern demands — EV chargers, home offices, and high-power appliances ## How We Upgrade Your Consumer Unit 1 ### Assessment & Quote We inspect your existing consumer unit and wiring to determine the scope of the upgrade. You receive a fixed-price quote covering all materials, labour, and certification. No hidden costs. 2 ### Scheduled Installation We agree a convenient date and arrive on time. The power is switched off for a portion of the day — we advise on how to prepare and minimise inconvenience. 3 ### Old Unit Removed The existing fuse board is carefully disconnected and removed. We inspect the incoming supply tails and earthing arrangements, upgrading them if necessary. 4 ### New Unit Installed & Connected The new consumer unit is mounted, and every circuit is connected to the correct MCB and RCD. We label every circuit clearly. Surge protection is included where specified. 5 ### Full Testing & Certification Every circuit is tested to BS 7671 standards. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, a circuit schedule, and full test results. The installation is registered with NAPIT. ## Why Upgrade Your Fuse Board? ### RCD Protection for Every Circuit Modern dual-RCD consumer units protect every circuit against earth faults — the most common cause of electrical injuries in the home. ### Fire Risk Reduction Metal-clad enclosures and correctly rated circuit breakers significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires. ### Insurance Compliance Many insurers now require a modern consumer unit. An upgrade ensures your cover remains valid. ### Completed in One Day Most upgrades are finished within a single working day. You'll have full power restored by the end of the afternoon. ### Future-Proofed Capacity Additional ways and spare capacity for future circuits — EV chargers, garden offices, or kitchen extensions. ### Full Certification & Registration Electrical Installation Certificate issued, work registered with NAPIT, and Building Control notified automatically. ## Consumer Unit Specifications and Regulatory Requirements Since January 2016, Amendment 3 of BS 7671 requires all new and replacement consumer units in domestic properties to be housed in a non-combustible enclosure — typically steel. This regulation was introduced after analysis showed that plastic consumer units contributed to the spread of electrical fires. The standard configuration for a domestic consumer unit is a split-load design with two RCDs, each protecting a group of circuits. This means that if one RCD trips, half the circuits remain live — you don't lose all power to the property. Critical circuits like freezers and alarms can be placed on separate RCDs to maintain availability. We fit Hager Design 10 and Schneider Easy9 consumer units as standard. Both are BASEC certified, manufactured in Europe, and designed for the UK market. These units feature clear labelling, easy-access terminals, and space for future circuit additions. Circuit breakers (MCBs) are rated according to the cable size and load of each circuit: 6A for lighting, 20A for radial circuits, 32A for ring finals, and higher ratings for dedicated appliance circuits. Type B MCBs are used for general circuits; Type C MCBs are specified where motor starting currents are present (e.g., some air conditioning units). During a consumer unit upgrade, we also inspect and upgrade the main earthing and bonding arrangements if necessary. Cross-bonding of gas, water, and oil supplies is checked, and the main earth conductor is verified for adequacy. This is a critical safety element that is often overlooked by less thorough installers. Surge protection devices (SPDs) are now recommended under the 18th Edition of BS 7671 for all new consumer units. SPDs protect sensitive electronic equipment from voltage transients caused by lightning or switching surges. We include SPDs where the risk assessment indicates they are appropriate. We provide consumer unit upgrades services across Cobham, Weybridge, Esher, Oxshott, Walton-on-Thames, Dorking, Godalming, Guildford, and the wider Surrey area. Read our customer reviews or view examples of our work. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">How long does the installation take? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">Do I need a consumer unit upgrade? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">Will I get a certificate? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">What brand of consumer unit do you install? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">Is this covered by building regulations? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">Can you add extra circuits during the upgrade? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-brand-dark-foreground text-left hover:no-underline text-sm sm:text-base py-3 sm:py-4" data-radix-collection-item="">What areas do you cover for consumer unit upgrades? ## Related Services EICR CertificatesFull & Partial RewiresGeneral Electrical WorkEV Charger InstallationContact UsHome ## Ready to Get Started? Every job is backed by 10+ years of experience, full insurance, and a workmanship guarantee. No call-out fees for estimates. No obligation. Request Your Free Estimate 07935 839378 NAPIT registered · Fully insured · Available 24/7 Trusted electricians serving Cobham, Surrey & surrounding areas. 10+ years of experience. Fully insured & NAPIT registered. Company No. 17136520 ### Quick Links - About - Services - Our Work - Areas We Cover - Reviews - Specials - Contact ### Our Services - General Electrical Work - EICR Certificates - Full & Partial Rewires - Consumer Unit Upgrades - Emergency Electrician - EV Charger Installation - Fault Finding - Lighting Installation ### Contact Us - 07935 839378 - cobhamelectricalcontractors@outlook.com - 32 Between Sts, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1AF - Follow us on Instagram © 2026 Cobham Electrical Contractors. All rights reserved. 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