Consumer Unit Upgrades
and Replacements
Your consumer unit or what you may know as a "fuseboard" is the central hub of your electrical installation. It controls, protects and monitors every circuit helping prevent electrical shocks and potential damage to the property caused by fire.
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If your consumer unit hasn't been updated in 10 years or more its likely it doesn't meet todays safety standards. Upgrading to a modern 18th edition consumer unit not only ensures you have the latest in electrical safety equipment protecting you and your home but it can also minimise disruption in the event of a fault and save you time and money.
How can Empowered Electrical Help?
The Importance of Consumer Units: Why Upgrading Matters for Safety and Peace of Mind.
At Empowered Electrical we specialise in maintaining, replacing and upgrading consumer units and older fuseboards. We only adhere to the latest safety and compliance standards fitting boards from manufacturers such as Fusebox, Lewden, Hager, Click Solmore and Contactum. With a range of solutions from full replacements to minor adjustments we have a team on hand waiting to help and we offer free no obligation quotations:
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Whether its a
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Customised Solutions or
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Ongoing support and maintenance
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We believe that a safe home must start with modern, compliant and safe consumer unit. Often hidden away underneath the stairs or inside a cupboard a consumer unit - also known as a fuseboard or distribution board is the hub of an electrical installation which holds the protective devices such as miniature circuit breakers or in older installation replaceable fuse cartridges. Whilst all consumer units carry out the same function safety standards have evolved significantly, offering enhanced features such as Surge Protection and RCBO modules (Residual Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection).
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In this guide, we'll explore
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What a consumer unit is and why its vital
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key signs your current unit may need updating
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the benefit of upgrading
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How Empowered Electrical can help
What is a Consumer Unit?
We believe that a safe home must start with modern, compliant and safe consumer unit. Often hidden away underneath the stairs or inside a cupboard a consumer unit - also known as a fuseboard or distribution board is the hub of an electrical installation which holds the protective devices such as miniature circuit breakers or in older installation replaceable fuse cartridges. Whilst all consumer units carry out the same function safety standards have evolved significantly, offering enhanced features such as Surge Protection and RCBO modules (Residual Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection).
​
In this guide, we'll explore
​
-
What a consumer unit is and why its vital
-
key signs your current unit may need updating
-
the benefit of upgrading
-
How Empowered Electrical can help
What is a Consumer Unit?
Try to think of a consumer unit as the central hub of an electrical system. It distributes electricity throughout your home or business by separating it into designated circuits. It contains protective devices we call MCB's, RCBO's and sometimes AFDD's.
Each one of these devices perform a designated function monitoring the electrical flow and disconnect a circuit from a power supply in the event of fault such as a short circuit or overloaded circuit.
The system and its associated protective devices are crucial in ensuring a safe installation and at preventing any potential shocks or damage which may result under fault conditions.
Signs you May Need an Upgrade
If your consumer unit is over 10 years old its very likely it lacks modern safety features that come as standard today. Here are some indicators that an upgrade might be necessary:
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Old - Style Fuses
Units with rewireable fuses instead of todays modern circuit breakers are less responsive to faults and pose more danger when a replacement fuse wire is necessary
Plastic Enclosures
Modern regulations dictate a metal enclosure must be used to aid in the containment of any potential fire. Plastic enclosure should be replaced when possible.
Lacks RCD Protection
The absence of RCD's or RCBO's increase the risk of shock significantly. In todays electrical safety standards almost all electrical alterations require RCD protection to be retrofitted before work can be energised.
Frequent Tripping
Regular power trips can indicate underlying issues with faults or circuits not being used as intended. Modern consumer units minimise the disruption caused by narrowing down the potential fault with indicators.
No Surge Protection
Whilst we generally work with 230v in a domestic environment electricity can suffer from over or under voltage. Modern consumer units incorporate Surge protection devices which protect electronics such as TVs and appliances which maybe during voltage spikes.
Future Proofing Your Property
Modern consumer units are designed to accommodate future technologies such as Electric Vehicle Charging, Renewable Energy Systems and Smart Home Automation. Its unlikely older units will be compatible with these technologies and therefore limit the potential of your home.
Conclusion
Upgrading your consumer unit is a critical step in ensuring the safety, compliance and reliability of your electrical installation.
Now is the ideal time to assess and enhance your electrical system ready for future technologies and to benefit from the latest safety equipment saving you time, money and disruption should a fault occur.
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For more information or to schedule an assessment, contact Empowered Electrical today! Our team is here to provide expert guidance and the very best service to keep your home and business safe and future ready.
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