Consumer Unit & Fuse Box Upgrade
Replace your old fuse box with a modern 18th edition consumer unit. RCD/RCBO protected, metal enclosure. Qualified and insured.
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Consumer Unit & Fuse Box Upgrade
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How it works
Initial assessment
The electrician inspects your existing fuse box, earthing arrangement, and main supply. They check how many circuits you have, whether the earthing and bonding are adequate, and whether the main fuse and meter tails need upgrading. Any issues are flagged before work begins.
Isolation and safe disconnection
The electricity supply is isolated at the main fuse or by the DNO if a cut-out seal needs breaking. All existing circuits are carefully disconnected and labelled. The property will be without power for the duration of the changeover.
Installation of new consumer unit
The new metal consumer unit is mounted in the same location (or a new location if required). Meter tails are connected, and all circuits are transferred to the new board. RCBOs or MCBs with dual RCD protection are fitted to each circuit, sized correctly for the cable and load.
Earthing and bonding upgrades
Main earthing and supplementary bonding are checked and upgraded if necessary. This includes main bonding to gas, water, and oil pipes, and any supplementary bonding required in bathrooms and kitchens. 10mm² and 4mm² earth conductors are used as required.
Testing and certification
Every circuit is fully tested for insulation resistance, continuity, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued. The work is notified to Building Control through the electrician's competent person scheme.
What's included
What's involved
A consumer unit upgrade replaces your existing fuse box or outdated consumer unit with a modern metal-enclosed unit that meets the 18th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022). Modern consumer units use RCBOs or dual RCD protection to provide individual circuit protection, meaning a fault on one circuit does not trip the entire house. The metal enclosure is now mandatory under Amendment 3 to reduce fire risk. This is one of the most common electrical upgrades in UK homes and is often required before other work such as EV charger installation or adding new circuits.
If your home still has a rewirable fuse box with porcelain fuse holders, a plastic consumer unit, or an older board without RCD protection, it does not meet current safety standards. Without RCD protection, there is no automatic disconnection in the event of an earth fault — increasing the risk of electric shock and electrical fires. A consumer unit upgrade is also required if you need additional circuits (e.g., for an EV charger or electric shower) and your existing board has no spare ways. It is notifiable work under Part P and must be carried out by a registered electrician.
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Typical cost: £350–£800per installation
Every job is different — pricing depends on your property, location, and specific requirements. Describe what you need and a qualified electrician will quote you directly.
How long does it take?
Half a day to a full day (4-8 hours) depending on the number of circuits, condition of existing wiring, and whether earthing or bonding upgrades are needed. If meter tails need replacing or the board is being relocated, allow a full day.
Regulations & safety
Safety notice
Consumer unit replacement is notifiable electrical work under Part P. It must be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme. Do not attempt this yourself — working on a live consumer unit can be fatal.
Your property will be without electricity for several hours during the changeover. Plan accordingly — especially if you rely on medical equipment, have a home alarm, or need to keep food refrigerated.
If your existing wiring is very old (e.g., rubber or lead-sheathed cable), connecting it to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection may cause nuisance tripping. Your electrician should test all circuits before commissioning the new board.
Part P of the Building Regulations (Approved Document P)
Consumer unit replacement is notifiable electrical work. It must be carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) or inspected and certified by Building Control.
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition)
The national standard for electrical installations in the UK. Specifies requirements for circuit protection, earthing, bonding, and the type and rating of protective devices in the consumer unit.
Amendment 3 to BS 7671 — Metal Consumer Unit Enclosures
Since January 2016, all new or replacement consumer units in domestic premises must be enclosed in a non-combustible (metal) enclosure. This was introduced to reduce the risk of fire spreading from a consumer unit fault.
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQCR)
Governs the connection between the DNO supply and your installation. If the main fuse seal needs breaking during the upgrade, your electrician must arrange reinstatement with the DNO.
What to expect
Having issues with your existing installation?
Already have a consumer unit & fuse box upgrade and having issues? Check our troubleshooting guides.
Old Fuse Box — Do I Need To Upgrade?
Your fuse box is old and you are wondering whether it needs replacing with a modern consumer unit.
RCD Keeps Tripping? Common Causes & How to Fix It (2026)
Your RCD keeps tripping and cutting power to multiple circuits. This guide covers every common cause — from faulty appliances and moisture to wiring faults and nuisance tripping — plus exactly what to do about it.
Frequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
How do I know if I need a consumer unit upgrade?
If your home has a rewirable fuse box with porcelain fuse holders, a plastic consumer unit, or a board without RCD protection, it should be upgraded. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) will identify whether your board meets current standards. Common signs include blown fuses, no residual current protection, and insufficient spare ways for new circuits.
How long will the power be off?
Typically 4-8 hours. The electrician needs to isolate the supply, remove the old board, install the new one, and test every circuit. Plan to be without power for most of a working day. Your electrician can usually energise critical circuits (like the fridge) first.
What is the difference between RCBOs and a split-load board with RCDs?
A split-load board uses two RCDs, each protecting half the circuits. If one RCD trips, you lose half the house. An RCBO board gives every circuit its own individual RCD and MCB protection in one device — so a fault on one circuit only trips that circuit. RCBO boards cost more (typically £100-200 extra) but are more convenient.
Will a new consumer unit fix my tripping problem?
Not necessarily. A new consumer unit provides better protection, but if circuits are tripping frequently, there is likely a fault on the circuit itself (such as a damaged cable, faulty appliance, or moisture ingress). The electrician should identify and fix the underlying fault as part of the upgrade.
Do I need to upgrade my meter tails at the same time?
If your existing meter tails are 16mm² (common in older properties), they should be upgraded to 25mm² as part of the consumer unit replacement. This ensures adequate capacity for modern electrical loads and complies with current regulations. Your electrician will assess this during the initial inspection.
Is a consumer unit upgrade the same as a fuse box change?
Yes — a consumer unit upgrade, fuse box change, fuse board upgrade, and distribution board replacement all refer to the same work. The modern term is consumer unit. The key difference is that modern units use circuit breakers (MCBs/RCBOs) instead of rewirable fuses, and have RCD protection and a metal enclosure.
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