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Consumer Unit Upgrades for Safer, Better-Protected Homes
Concerned about an older fuse box, frequent tripping or the result of an EICR? SM Electrical Services can assess your existing consumer unit, explain whether an upgrade is recommended and complete the installation with minimal disruption.
What is a consumer unit?
The consumer unit, often called a fuse box, distributes electricity around your home and contains protective devices for the different electrical circuits.
Modern consumer units are designed to provide improved protection when a fault is detected. This may include RCD or RCBO protection, which can disconnect the power quickly when certain faults occur.
You don’t need to understand the technical detail before contacting us. We’ll inspect the installation and explain our findings in plain English.
When might a consumer unit need replacing?
A consumer unit upgrade may be recommended when:
The existing unit is old, damaged or shows signs of overheating
The installation doesn’t provide suitable protection for the home’s circuits
Circuits trip regularly and further investigation is needed
An EICR has identified the consumer unit or protective devices as requiring improvement
You’re renovating and adding significant new electrical demand
The existing unit has limited capacity for planned work
A landlord needs remedial work completed following an electrical inspection
Age alone doesn’t automatically mean a consumer unit must be replaced. Its condition, the protection it provides and the wider electrical installation all need to be considered.
What happens during a consumer unit upgrade?
Initial assessment
Clear quotation
Safe isolation and installation
Testing and certification
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Will the work create a mess?
Most consumer unit replacements are focused around the existing fuse box position. Some access or minor alterations may be required depending on the property and condition of the wiring.
We protect the working area and clear up after the electrical work. If plastering, decorating or other making good is likely to be needed, we’ll explain this before work begins. This is not provided by SM Electrical Services.
Why choose SM Electrical Services?
SM Electrical Services is experienced in consumer unit replacements for homeowners, landlords and managed properties.
We provide clear advice without pressure and won’t recommend replacement solely because a unit looks old.
For domestic installation work, SM Electrical Services is a NICEIC Domestic Installer. Eligible work may be covered by the NICEIC Platinum Promise for up to six years, subject to NICEIC terms.
Frequently asked questions
A visual inspection can identify obvious concerns, but proper advice may require electrical testing. Warning signs can include damage, overheating, missing protective devices, repeated tripping or issues recorded on an EICR.
Not necessarily. A consumer unit shouldn’t be replaced simply because of its age. We’ll assess its condition, the protection it provides and whether it’s suitable for the installation and planned work.
The timescale depends on the property, number of circuits and any issues identified during testing.
Many straightforward upgrades can be completed within a working day, but we’ll confirm the expected duration after assessing the installation.
Yes. The electricity supply must be isolated for the work to be completed safely. We’ll explain when the power will be off and aim to keep disruption to a minimum.
Yes. Appropriate electrical certification will be provided where required for the work completed.
Not automatically. A buyer, landlord or agent may request testing, and an EICR may identify work that should be completed.
We can assess the existing unit and explain the practical options.
Your power will need to be switched off temporarily while we replace your consumer unit.
However, we can provide temporary power for essentials such as WiFi, TVs and kettles, helping to minimise disruption and avoid unnecessary downtime, particularly if you’re working from home.
Get clear advice on your consumer unit
Arrange an assessment with SM Electrical Services. We’ll explain whether an upgrade is recommended, what the work involves and the cost before you decide how to proceed.
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