Domestic electrical

Consumer unit upgrades in Cambridge

Has an inspection recommended a new fuse box, or are you planning extra circuits? We assess your existing installation and talk through a consumer unit upgrade that suits your home, explaining any wiring repairs or other work needed alongside it.

Call 01223 243634 Email an enquiry

Metal consumer unit with circuit breakers and enclosed wiring

How we can help / 01

Why consider replacing a fuse box?

A damaged fuse box, plans for new circuits or an inspection finding can all be reasons to consider an upgrade. We'll assess the board and the circuits it serves before recommending the work. An older board may lack modern protective features, but its age alone doesn't tell us the condition of your wiring.

Bring previous reports and certificates to the discussion. Ask which observation a proposed upgrade addresses. A new consumer unit cannot make damaged wiring or inadequate earthing safe simply by replacing the old board.

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RCDs, RCBOs, AFDDs and surge protection explained

The names on a new consumer unit can be confusing. We'll explain the protection proposed for your home: RCDs respond to certain electrical faults, while RCBOs also provide overload and short-circuit protection for individual circuits. Separating circuit protection can help limit how much of your home loses power if a fault occurs.

Arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) provide additional protection against fire by detecting dangerous electrical arcing and disconnecting the affected circuit. They are required under the Wiring Regulations for certain circuits in some types of premises and can also be fitted elsewhere for added protection. We'll explain whether AFDDs are required or worth considering as part of your consumer unit upgrade.

Surge protection limits transient overvoltages that can affect equipment. It serves a different purpose from an RCD or circuit breaker. The design considers the whole installation: counting switches on a board does not tell you whether its protection is suitable.

How we can help / 03

Why the existing wiring needs checking

Before replacing your consumer unit, we need to check the circuits, earthing and bonding connected to it. This helps identify faults that could affect the upgrade. We'll explain the assessment included in your quotation and discuss any additional repairs before you agree to them.

Describe nuisance tripping, earlier alterations and circuits that do not work. Mention restricted access. Photographs of a closed board and existing paperwork can start the conversation, but cannot replace inspection and testing.

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Isolation, installation and testing

We'll discuss the power interruption with you before replacing the unit, so you can plan around refrigeration, internet access and any essential equipment. The job includes isolating the supply, fitting the unit, connecting the circuits and testing the installation.

Circuits need checking and identification after the installation work. Timing depends on the condition and problems found. A fault uncovered during replacement does not automatically mean a full rewire is needed; the finding should be investigated and explained.

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What paperwork should accompany the work?

We'll explain the certification and notification needed for your consumer unit replacement before work starts. In England, this is notifiable work under the building regulations and needs appropriate installation certification.

Keep the certificate, test results and building regulations compliance documentation with property records. These differ from an EICR on an existing installation. At handover, ask about circuit labels, controls and what to do if protection operates.

Common questions

Will a new board stop nuisance tripping?

It depends on what's causing the trips. If the fault is in a cable or appliance, changing the board won't fix it. We can investigate the cause and discuss whether repairs are needed before or alongside an upgrade.

Can we plan for future circuits?

Yes. Tell us if you're planning an extension, garden building or EV charger. We'll consider the supply and protection as well as space in the board; spare slots alone don't establish electrical capacity.

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