Fuse Box and Consumer Unit Upgrades
The consumer unit, often called the fuse box or fuse board, controls and protects every circuit in your home. Rickman Electrical Services Ltd replaces old fuse boxes and outdated consumer units across Dorking and Surrey with modern units that meet the current wiring regulations.
A modern unit uses circuit breakers and RCD protection, which cut the power in a fraction of a second if there is a fault or someone touches a live part. An old fuse box with rewireable fuses offers far less protection.
Do You Need a New Consumer Unit?
We recommend replacing your consumer unit if:
- You still have an old fuse box with rewireable fuses
- There is no RCD protection, or only some circuits are covered
- The unit is old, damaged or shows scorch marks
- Breakers trip often or the unit feels warm
- You are adding an EV charger, an extension or a new kitchen and need more circuits
- An EICR has recommended an upgrade
If you are not sure, an EICR will show whether your current unit and circuits are in good order.
RCD and RCBO Protection
We fit consumer units with RCD and RCBO protection. With an RCBO on each circuit, a fault on one circuit only switches off that circuit, so the rest of the house stays on.
Surge Protection
Most new installations now include a surge protection device, which helps protect televisions, computers and boiler controls from sudden spikes in the supply.
Metal Enclosures
Since 2016 the wiring regulations have required consumer units in homes to have a non combustible enclosure, which in practice means a metal case.
How a Consumer Unit Replacement Works
We visit first to look at the existing unit, the earthing and the circuits, and give you a clear, fixed quote.
On the day, the power is off while the old unit is removed and the new one fitted. In most homes the work is done within a day. Every circuit is tested before the new unit goes live, and we explain anything we find on the existing wiring. Each circuit is labelled clearly and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate.
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, so you should also receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate. If your wiring is very old, a rewire may be the better long term answer, and we will tell you if so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fuse box the same as a consumer unit?
Yes. Consumer unit is the modern name. Fuse box, fuse board and fuseboard all describe the same thing: the unit where the circuits in your home start.
How long does a consumer unit replacement take?
Most are done within a day. The power is off for much of that time, so it is worth planning around it, for example by keeping the fridge and freezer closed.
How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit?
The cost depends on the number of circuits, the type of protection and whether any faults on the existing wiring need attention first. We give a clear, fixed quote after looking at your current unit.
Why might a new consumer unit trip?
RCD protection is far more sensitive than old fuses, so it can reveal faults that were already there, such as damp in an outside light or a damaged cable. Testing before the new unit goes live finds most of these, and we explain anything we find.
Do I need a new consumer unit for an EV charger?
Not always. An EV charger needs its own circuit, and some older units have no spare space or the right protection. We check this when we quote for the charger.