Consumer 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 An outdated unit without RCD protection leaves your family exposed to electric shock and fire risk.
Completed in one day · Full certification included · Hager & Schneider units fitted
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Why Outdated Fuse Boards Are a Serious Risk
An old fuse board doesn't just look outdated — it actively fails to protect your home.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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
