Consumer Units & Fuse Boards
Our team is fully accredited, with over 80 years of combined experience in the electrical industry.
About Our Consumer Units & Fuse Boards
Are you worried the fuse box in your house is too old and no longer complies with electrical UK regulations? Is it time to replace it with a more modern consumer unit? How long is it going to take and more specifically, how much is it going to cost?
Read on and you’ll find out all the answers to these questions including what is involved in the replacement process so you can make the right choice for your household.
What is the difference between a fuse box and an electrical consumer unit?
A fuse box and a consumer unit serve the same purpose. They distribute electricity in your house through multiple circuits and instantly turn the power off whenever a power overload occurs on one of the circuits, which is commonly known as “tripping”.
When “tripping” occurs, a consumer unit will switch the power off using the circuit breaker linked to the overloaded circuit. It will turn itself to the position OFF making the faulty circuit easily identifiable. Once the circuit is fixed, the circuit breaker can be switched back on and the power restored.
A fuse box uses fuses instead of circuit breakers. Each fuse contains a wire which will melt if there is an electrical overload and make the circuit trip and switch the power off.
It is not as easy to identify a faulty circuit when using a fuse box and the, now melted fuse, will need to be replaced before the power can be restored. Consumer units are basically the modern and safer version of fuse boxes which in most cases are no longer compliant with current electrical regulations. If your house is fitted with an old fuse box, it might be time to for you to replace it.
Consumer Units
Broadgate Energy specialise in both the repair and replacement of consumer units. Replacement is particularly recommended if your property still has a plastic unit. While plastic units are not illegal, modern metal clad is considerably safer. During the electrical consumer unit installation, a member of our accredited team will complete a thorough inspection of the unit and all associated switchgear. They will check the current positioning of boards to ensure that it does not pose any dangers. For example, opting to place units under wooden stairs come alongside high fire risks, so will be moved to a safer location in the property. It can then be determined whether your home would be best suited to a fully loaded, main switch or high integrity consumer unit.
How do I know if I have an old-fashioned fuse box?
It’s very easy to tell if you have an old-style fuse box or a more modern consumer unit. An old-style fuse box will have a series of fuses contained inside fuse carrier which you can manually remove and replace when one of them goes off following a power overload.
The picture on the top left shows a typical fuse box. A consumer unit, however, will be made of a horizontal row of what is known as MCB (Mini circuit breakers). Each MCB will have a switch which can go off in case of an electrical fault. The picture on the bottom left shows a typical consumer unit.
How much does it cost to replace a fuse box or electrical consumer unit?
The costs of replacing a fuse box or upgrading a consumer unit to a more recent one can vary greatly as it will depend on many factors such as:
- Which type of consumer unit is needed
- The number of circuits required
- How old the exiting installation is
It is best to speak to one of our qualified electricians first to get a free quote. A typical replacement (labour and parts) will cost between £350 and £700 and will include:
- A consumer unit
- NICEIC electrical installation certificate and part P notification to building control
The quote in this example does not include the earth and bonding check, which need to be carried out before the replacement takes place. The earth and bonding inspection will establish if there is any fault in the existing installation which need to be addressed before the fuse box can be replaced.
Why choose us?
Same Day Service
Tasks completed in minimal time so that your life is not disrupted, providing 24-hour service for emergency callouts.
Here to Help
We are a reliable company with over 80 years of combined experience in the electrical industry, focused on satisfying all of our customers.
Affordable Prices
We aim to carry out all of our jobs at the lowest prices with no hidden surprises - what we quote you is what you pay.
Do You Have Emergeny We Offer 24/7 Support.
Which consumer unit is right for my house?
Main Switch Consumer Unit
This type of consumer unit only has one main switch from which all circuits in the house can be switched off. In case of an electrical fault, you will only have one protective device trip. This is a very popular choice, especially for single storey houses and small flats.
Dual RCD Consumer Unit
A dual RCD (residual current device) consumer Unit offers the ability to split load the power over two sets of RCDs, RCD1 and RCD2. The advantage of this consumer unit is that it is possible to alternate the circuits so the power can still be available in some part of the house if one of the RCDs is no longer operational. This is ideal for multiple storey houses.
High Integrity Consumer Unit
High Integrity consumer unit have become a very popular choice over time as they offer the ability to separate all circuits independently. So while your freezer may stop working, everything else will continue working without interruption.
FAQ's
Can I replace my fuse box myself?
Yes, we offer affordable electrical services and try to keep the costs minimal for all of our clients, if you wanted to save money on your electricity bills then we offer electrical inspections to check your homes electrical wiring and LED lighting to save you money.
Can consumer be unit be boxed?
Consumer units boxed in wooden cupboard or mounted under wooden stairs are seen as a fire hazard as these materials are highly combustible. According to building regulations your consumer unit should be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material such as steel.
Is it dangerous to install consumer unit near gas meter?
According to regulation, gas pipes and gas meter in domestic houses, must be spaced at least 150mm from electricity meters, switchboards, electric cables, sockets, telecommunication cables, consumer units and any other conductors. Additionally, there should be a separation between a supply or distribution cable of at least 25mm for domestic pipework up to 35mm or 50mm for pipework over 35mm.
How does replacing a fuse box take?
Where to install consumer unit?
The location of where your consumer unit should be installed is often overlooked. Since they are not considered as a feature of a house, consumer units are frequently hidden away in some dark place in a house. Consumer units should be located so they can easily be reached whenever it is necessary so it is in compliance with Part M of the building regulations. They should be mounted with the switches at a height of between 0.45m & 1.2m above floor level.
Can I have a consumer unit in my bathroom?
According to regulations, electrical equipment should not be present in shower rooms or bathroom. This includes simple equipment such as wall switches, plugs and especially consumer units.
Can You a new electrical consumer unit to old wiring?
Before fitting a shiny new electrical consumer unit, it is advised to carry out an electrical Installation condition report (EICR). This test will establish the health of the electrical installation in your house and enable you and your electrician to decide if the existing wiring and circuits are fit for purpose.
Customer Testimonial
“I recently had my old fuse board replaced with a new consumer unit by Broadgate Energy, and I couldn’t be more impressed. The electrician explained everything clearly, completed the work efficiently, and made sure everything was safe and up to current standards. The whole process was smooth and professional from start to finish. I feel much more confident knowing my home’s electrics are now fully compliant. Highly recommended!”
Samantha Whyte
