The consumer unit is the part of your installation that decides what happens when something goes wrong. If yours predates modern protective devices, it may be doing far less than you assume.
Signs your board is due attention
A few things are worth looking for:
- Rewireable fuses or an old cast-iron or wooden enclosure
- No RCD protection — nothing that trips on a test button
- Labelling that no longer matches the house after extensions or alterations
- Signs of heat, discolouration or a burning smell around the board
- Nuisance tripping that a whole-house RCD makes impossible to isolate
What a modern board changes
Current boards split circuits so a fault in one place does not black out the whole house, and combine overload protection with residual current protection. Depending on the installation, surge protection and arc fault detection may also be appropriate.
Just as importantly, a replacement forces the existing circuits to be tested. That is often where the real value is — you find out the condition of the wiring behind the board, not just the board itself.
What the work involves
We test the existing circuits before quoting, so any remedial work is identified and priced up front. The changeover itself is usually a day, with the supply off for part of it, and we agree the timing with you in advance.
On completion you get an Electrical Installation Certificate, a schedule of test results, and a board where every circuit is clearly identified.
Common Questions
No. There is no requirement to upgrade an existing installation simply because standards have moved on. The question is whether the protection it provides is adequate for how the property is used today — and for a rented property or holiday let, whether it will pass an inspection.
This article is general guidance, not a substitute for inspection and testing of your specific installation. If you're unsure, call us on 07496 242488 — advice over the phone is free.
