Consumer Unit Replacement in Hertfordshire

What is a consumer unit?

The consumer unit is the board — usually under the stairs, in a hallway cupboard or in the garage — that splits your electricity supply into separate circuits and protects each one. In older homes it may still be a fuse box with rewirable fuses.

What does consumer unit replacement involve?

We start by inspecting the existing installation: the board, the earthing and bonding arrangements and the condition of the circuits. If everything is suitable, the old board is removed and a new one installed, the circuits are tested and labelled, and the installation is certified. For a fuller explanation, see our guide to consumer unit replacement.

Signs an old consumer unit may need replacing

• Rewirable fuses (fuse wire) rather than circuit breakers
• No RCD protection, or only partial RCD protection
• Scorch marks, a burning smell, crackling or a board that feels warm
• Frequent tripping that you can't trace to a faulty appliance
• A cracked or damaged enclosure
• An EICR that recommends an upgrade

An older board isn't automatically unsafe, though. Our guide on when to replace a consumer unit explains the difference.

Why homeowners choose to upgrade

Many Hertfordshire homeowners upgrade when renovating a kitchen, building an extension, converting a loft or adding an EV charger, as the existing board often has no spare capacity. Others upgrade for peace of mind, or so that a fault on one circuit doesn't switch off the whole house.

RCD and RCBO protection

RCDs disconnect the supply quickly if current leaks to earth, which greatly reduces the risk of a fatal electric shock. RCBOs provide that protection individually on each circuit, alongside overload protection. We'll explain the options and the difference in cost before any work starts.

Testing and certification

After installation every circuit is tested and the results recorded. As a NAPIT registered electrician, we notify the work and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate plus a Building Regulations compliance certificate — useful documents to keep for when you sell or let the property.

What to expect

Most domestic replacements are completed within a day, with the power off for much of that time. We'll agree timings with you in advance, keep disruption to a minimum and talk you through the new board before we leave.

Why a qualified electrician should assess it

A new board can only be as safe as the installation it's connected to. A proper assessment identifies earthing issues or circuit faults up front, so your quotation is accurate and there are no surprises on the day.

Areas we cover

We work throughout Hertfordshire, including Sawbridgeworth and the surrounding East Hertfordshire area. If you're not sure whether we cover your location, just ask.

More about consumer units

• How much does consumer unit replacement cost?
• When should you replace a consumer unit?