Electrical Installations
Consumer Unit Upgrades in Surrey & London
A consumer unit upgrade replaces an old fuse box with a modern board that has RCD protection, so a fault cuts the power before it can hurt anyone. Most domestic upgrades take a day with the power off for part of it, and you get an Electrical Installation Certificate. The work is notifiable to building control.
The consumer unit, often still called the fuse box, is where every circuit in the property starts. Older boards with rewirable fuses or a single RCD were fine when they went in, but they give far less protection than a modern unit, and they often have no room for new circuits such as an EV charger.
Joe has replaced boards across Redhill, Reigate, South Nutfield and Salfords, from old fuse boxes in brick meter cupboards to boards that needed upgrading before an EV charger could go in. The photos on this page are his own jobs.
Typical work
- Replacing an old fuse box that has rewirable fuses and no RCD
- Upgrading a board that keeps tripping or shows signs of heat damage
- A new consumer unit to make room for an EV charger or extra circuits
- Moving or tidying a consumer unit as part of a renovation
- Fitting a board with surge protection and individually protected circuits
Recent jobs
Before
AfterConsumer unit upgrade in RedhillConsumer Unit Upgrades 
Before
AfterConsumer unit upgrade in South NutfieldConsumer Unit Upgrades 
Consumer unit upgrade in ReigateConsumer Unit Upgrades 
Consumer unit install in SalfordsConsumer Unit Upgrades
What the job involves
Before anything is changed, the existing installation is tested. A new board is only as safe as the circuits connected to it, and an old fault that the fuses tolerated can make a new RCD trip as soon as it is switched on. Finding that first avoids a surprise on the day.
On the day, the supply is isolated, the old board is removed and the new one fitted, with each circuit connected, labelled and tested. Domestic consumer units must now be made of non-combustible material, which in practice means a metal enclosure. At the end you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate with the test results for every circuit.
Signs your consumer unit needs upgrading
- Rewirable fuses with fuse wire, or a board with no RCD at all
- A plastic board under the stairs or in another escape route
- Scorch marks, a burning smell, buzzing or a board that feels warm
- Breakers that trip often for no obvious reason
- No spare ways for a new circuit such as an EV charger, shower or garden office
Our guide on the signs a consumer unit needs upgrading goes through these in more detail. If you are not sure what you have, an electrical inspection gives a clear written answer.
RCDs, RCBOs and surge protection
An RCD switches the power off in a fraction of a second when current leaks to earth, which is what happens when someone touches a live part. Older boards often have one RCD covering everything, so a single fault can leave the whole house in the dark. A board with RCBOs protects each circuit on its own, so a fault in the garden only switches off the garden.
Surge protection guards against voltage spikes, for example from a lightning strike on the supply network, which can damage sensitive electronics. Whether it is needed is assessed as part of the job, and the choice of RCDs, RCBOs and surge protection is explained before you are quoted.
Paperwork and building control
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. That means building control must be told about it, and you should keep the Electrical Installation Certificate and the building control record with the property documents. Buyers, insurers and landlords may all ask to see them later.
Landlords upgrading a board after an EICR will get the certificate needed to show the remedial work has been done.
What affects the cost
The main factors are the number of circuits, the condition of the existing wiring, whether the earthing and bonding need bringing up to standard, and the specification of the new board, such as RCBOs and surge protection. A board that needs moving, or circuits that fail testing and need repair first, add time. You get a clear quote before any work starts.
Where we do this work
Consumer Unit Upgrades from our base in Redhill, anywhere in Surrey including Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Nutfield, Bletchingley and the surrounding towns, plus London and nearby counties. Larger commercial jobs further afield are welcome by enquiry. See all areas covered.
Common questions
How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?
Most domestic upgrades take a day. The power is off for part of that time, and you will be told roughly when so you can plan around it, for example by emptying the freezer or working elsewhere.
Do I need to replace my fuse box?
Not always. An older board in good condition can be safe, but it will not have the RCD protection of a modern unit. An upgrade is worth considering if it has rewirable fuses, no RCD, any heat damage, or no room for new circuits.
Why does my new consumer unit keep tripping?
Usually because a circuit has a fault that the old fuses tolerated, such as damp in an outside socket or a faulty appliance. Testing before the upgrade finds most of these so they can be fixed as part of the job.
Do I need a consumer unit upgrade for an EV charger?
Sometimes. A charger needs its own circuit, and the board needs space for it and suitable protection. Some boards can take it as they are, others need replacing. The EV charger installation page explains what is checked.
What certificate will I get?
An Electrical Installation Certificate with the test results for every circuit. A consumer unit replacement is also notifiable to building control in England, so keep that record with the certificate.
Does a new consumer unit have to be metal?
Domestic consumer units now have to be made of non-combustible material, which in practice means a metal enclosure. Older plastic boards do not have to be replaced for that reason alone, but a new one will be metal.
Ready to talk about your electrical work?
Tell Joe what you need and where you are, and he will come back to you with a clear quote. Call, send a WhatsApp message, or use the quote form.