Consumer Unit & Fuse Board Upgrades
If your home still has an old-style fuse board with rewireable fuses, or a consumer unit without RCD protection, upgrading is one of the most impactful safety improvements you can make. We install and replace consumer units across Horley, Crawley, Reigate, Redhill and the surrounding Surrey area, with same-day NAPIT certification on most jobs.
Signs You Need an Upgrade
The clearest sign is a fuse board that still uses rewireable fuses, the type where a length of fuse wire physically breaks the circuit when it's overloaded. Beyond that, common triggers include:
A failed EICR flagging the absence of RCD protection, one of the most common C2 findings on older properties in the area, requiring remediation within 28 days
Your insurer or mortgage lender requesting confirmation of RCD protection as a condition of cover or lending
Frequent tripping or the need to reset your consumer unit regularly
You're planning a rewire or adding new circuits, such as an EV charger
What's Included
A modern consumer unit replaces old fuse wire with circuit breakers and RCD protection that trips automatically and can be reset with the flick of a switch. Every installation includes:
Full removal of the old board and replacement with a modern, metal-clad consumer unit
RCBO protection fitted per circuit, reducing nuisance tripping compared to a single shared RCD
A surge protection device (SPD) to safeguard appliances and electronics from power spikes
All circuits individually tested before and after installation
A NAPIT completion certificate issued the same day, suitable for insurance records, mortgage files or a property sale
Understanding Your Consumer Unit
Not sure what each part of your consumer unit actually does? The main switch cuts power to the whole property. MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) protect individual circuits from overload. RCDs (Residual Current Devices) detect earth faults and cut power within milliseconds to prevent electric shock. RCBOs combine both functions on a single circuit, which is why they cause far less nuisance tripping than an older shared-RCD setup.
If a switch keeps tripping repeatedly, that's usually a genuine fault rather than something to keep forcing back on.
What It Costs
Consumer unit and fuse board replacement starts from £600 for a standard domestic installation with modern RCBO and surge protection. The exact price depends on the number of circuits and the condition of your existing wiring. We always confirm a fixed price after a quick site survey, before any work begins.
How Long It Takes
Most standard domestic upgrades take between 4 and 6 hours, including installation, full circuit testing and certification. Larger properties or more complex installations may take longer, and we'll confirm timings after the initial survey.
Areas We Cover
We install and replace consumer units and fuse boards across Horley, Crawley, Reigate, Redhill and the surrounding Surrey and West Sussex area, for homeowners, landlords and businesses alike, including commercial and landlord properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace a fuse box? Typically 4 to 6 hours for a standard domestic upgrade, including installation, full circuit testing and same-day certification.
What does a consumer unit replacement cost? From £600 for a standard domestic installation. Costs vary depending on the number of circuits and the condition of existing wiring, confirmed with a fixed-price quote after a site survey.
Will I get a certificate for the work? Yes. As NAPIT-accredited contractors, we issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and notify Local Authority Building Control on your behalf where required.
How do I know if my consumer unit needs upgrading? The clearest sign is a fuse board still using rewireable fuses, or a lack of RCD protection. A failed EICR, a request from your insurer or mortgage lender, or frequent tripping are all strong indicators too.