Consumer Unit & Fuse Board Replacement in Kent
If your home still has an old rewireable fuse box, or a board with no RCD protection, a modern consumer unit is one of the best safety upgrades you can make. We replace consumer units across Kent.
What's included
- Modern consumer units with RCD protection on every circuit
- Replacing old rewireable and plastic fuse boxes
- RCBOs so one fault doesn't take out half the house
- Surge protection (SPD) where appropriate
- Full test of every circuit before and after
- Certificate issued and the work notified where required
Who it's for
Homeowners with an old fuse box or no RCD protection, anyone whose EICR has recommended a board upgrade, people adding a high-load circuit the old board can't support, and landlords bringing a rental up to standard.
How it works
- Quick chat, often with a photo of the existing board
- We confirm the board, protection, and any pre-work needed
- Replacement on the day, power off for as little as possible
- Full test, certificate, and clear labelling of every circuit
When a consumer unit needs replacing
The consumer unit, or fuse board, is the heart of a home’s electrics: it splits the incoming supply into circuits and protects each one. Older boards do a far poorer job of that than a modern one. If your home still has a rewireable fuse box with rewirable fuses, an old plastic board with no RCD, or a unit that’s showing signs of age, replacing it is one of the most worthwhile safety upgrades you can make. We replace consumer units across Kent.
Common prompts for a board change are an EICR that’s flagged the existing unit, a high-load circuit being added that the old board can’t support, or simply an old installation that’s overdue. We test before and after, and quote the work up front.
What a modern board gives you
A modern consumer unit brings several things an old fuse box doesn’t. RCD protection disconnects the supply in a fraction of a second if current leaks to earth, which is what protects against electric shock and many electrical fires. The unit itself is made to contain a fault rather than spread it, and every circuit is clearly labelled so it’s obvious what each switch does.
The practical difference day to day is that a modern board fails safe and tells you what’s happening, instead of leaving you guessing at a row of identical fuses.
RCBOs and why they beat shared RCDs
Many boards use one or two RCDs shared across several circuits. The downside is that a single fault trips the shared RCD and takes out everything on it, so a fault in the garden lights can plunge half the house into darkness, including the freezer.
We can fit a board using RCBOs, which combine the breaker and RCD protection on each individual circuit. A fault then trips only the affected circuit and leaves everything else running. It costs a little more in parts but it’s far more convenient and easier to fault-find later. We’ll talk through the options so you can choose what suits.
Surge protection and the latest standards
Current wiring standards expect surge protection (an SPD) in many installations, guarding sensitive electronics against voltage spikes from the grid or nearby lightning. Where it’s appropriate, we build it into the new board.
We install to the current edition of BS 7671, the wiring regulations, so the board is not just safer but up to date for any future inspection or sale.
How a board change runs on the day
It usually starts with a quick chat and a photo of your existing board. We confirm the right unit and protection, flag any pre-work needed (sometimes an older installation needs a small remedial before a new board will sit happily on it), and book the change.
On the day the power is off only as long as it needs to be, often a few hours. We test every circuit, label them clearly, issue the certificate, and notify the work to building control where that’s required.
Related work
If your board keeps tripping rather than needing replacing, see electrics keep tripping. If an inspection prompted the upgrade, see EICR testing and our guide to what an EICR is. To book, get in touch with a photo of your board.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I replace an old fuse box?
An old rewireable fuse box or a board with no RCD offers far less protection than a modern consumer unit. A modern board gives RCD protection on every circuit, contains faults rather than spreading them, and clearly labels each circuit. It's one of the most worthwhile safety upgrades in an older home.
What's the difference between RCDs and RCBOs in a consumer unit?
Shared RCDs protect several circuits together, so one fault trips the lot. RCBOs combine the breaker and RCD on each individual circuit, so a fault trips only that circuit and leaves the rest running. RCBOs cost a little more but are far more convenient.
How long is the power off during a consumer unit change?
Usually a few hours rather than all day. The supply is off only while the board is swapped and tested. We label every circuit and issue the certificate on completion, and notify the work to building control where required.
Get a quote
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Or skip the form: Office 01634 907123 Mobile 07598 216512 WhatsApp info@cjaelectrical.co.uk