Consumer unit upgrades
Consumer Unit Upgrade Electrician in Newton Aycliffe
If your fuse board still has pull-out fuses, no RCD protection or a plastic case under the stairs, it may be time for a modern consumer unit.
The consumer unit is the heart of your home’s electrics. Modern boards do far more than the old fuse boxes they replace: RCD protection cuts the power in a fraction of a second if someone touches a live part, and RCBOs mean a fault on one circuit only switches off that circuit, not half the house.
A consumer unit upgrade in Newton Aycliffe is usually a one-day job. Before the new board goes in, every circuit is tested, because a new board can reveal old faults that the fuse box was masking. You’ll know about anything we find before work goes ahead, and you get an Electrical Installation Certificate at the end.
Signs your fuse board needs replacing
- Rewireable fuses with fuse wire, or a mix of fuses and old breakers
- No RCD protection, or one RCD covering every circuit
- A plastic consumer unit fitted under the stairs or in an escape route
- Scorch marks, a burning smell or a buzzing sound from the board
- Trips that take out half the house when one appliance fails
- You’re adding an EV charger, heat pump or extension and the board has no spare ways
How a board change works
- Survey and test
We check the existing circuits, earthing and bonding so there are no surprises on the day.
- Fit the new board
Power is off for most of the day. The new metal-cased unit goes in with each circuit labelled.
- Test and certify
Every circuit is tested and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, with the work notified under Part P.
Fuse boards in Newton Aycliffe homes
Plenty of Newton Aycliffe houses still have boards from the 1980s and 1990s, or earlier fuse boxes that were never upgraded when kitchens and extensions were added. Swapping to an RCBO board is one of the most effective safety upgrades you can make, especially before adding a big new load like an EV charger.
Consumer unit questions
How long will I be without power?
Most consumer unit replacements take a working day, with the power off for most of it. We’ll agree a time that suits you and get you back on as soon as testing is complete.
Do I need a metal consumer unit?
Since 2016, consumer units in homes must have a non-combustible enclosure, which in practice means metal. If yours is plastic, it isn’t automatically dangerous, but it’s worth upgrading when other work is planned.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and the work is notified to building control under Part P, which you’ll want when you sell the house.
Thinking about a new consumer unit?
Send a photo of your current board with your enquiry and we can usually give you a price straight away.