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Consumer Unit Upgrades
Modern protection for today's electrical demands.
Consumer unit upgrades & fuse box replacements for homes across Taunton, Somerset & the surrounding areas - carefully assessed, professionally installed, tested & certified.
Why upgrade
Older fuse boards weren't built for modern homes.
EV chargers, induction hobs, heat pumps & dozens of always-on devices place demands on an installation that older fuse boards were never designed to meet.
A consumer unit upgrade in Taunton can provide improved circuit protection & a distribution arrangement designed around the electrical demands of the property. It is not, however, a shortcut to compliance: the condition & suitability of the existing circuits must first be assessed, because a consumer unit replacement does not by itself alter the wiring behind it.
Whether you are considering a fuse box replacement in Taunton, a fuse board upgrade as part of a renovation, or a new consumer unit in Somerset ahead of additional circuits, we begin with an assessment rather than an assumption.
When to review
When should a consumer unit be reviewed?
An older consumer unit does not automatically need replacing because of its age, its appearance, a plastic enclosure or the presence of older protective devices. A professional assessment is worthwhile where circumstances have changed.
Major renovation
Where a property is being significantly altered, reviewing the distribution arrangements alongside the wider works is often sensible.
Increased demand
Additional appliances, kitchen circuits or electric heating can change what the installation is being asked to do.
New circuits required
Extensions, outbuildings & outdoor power may need capacity that the existing board cannot accommodate.
Low-carbon technology
Where solar, battery storage & EV charging is being considered, available capacity & protection should be assessed.
Protection arrangements
Where appropriate RCD protection is lacking for the circuits concerned, an assessment can establish what is required.
Identified defects
Where an EICR or electrical inspection has identified defects or recommended remedial work.
Modern protection
Layered safety, quietly built in.
01
MCB
Miniature Circuit Breakers protect a circuit from overload & short-circuit faults, resetting cleanly without replacement.
02
RCD
Residual Current Devices detect earth leakage & disconnect the supply quickly, providing additional protection against electric shock.
03
RCBO
Combines MCB & RCD protection in one device, so a fault can affect only that circuit. Used where the installation & design call for it.
04
AFDD
Arc-Fault Detection Devices can identify certain arcing faults. Their use depends on the installation, the circuits & current regulations.
05
Surge
Surge protection can guard sensitive electronics from voltage spikes, where assessment shows it is appropriate.
The protective devices required in any given consumer unit depend on the installation, the circuits it serves, the current regulations & professional assessment - not every technology is appropriate, or required, in every home.
Compare
Old fuse board vs modern consumer unit.
Typical characteristics found in older & modern installations. Every property differs, so the right arrangement is established by assessment.
Often found in older installations
Older Fuse Board
- -Rewireable or cartridge fuses
- -Limited or absent RCD protection
- -Older protective-device arrangements
- -Less capacity for additional circuits
- -No provision for surge protection
What a modern installation can provide
Modern Consumer Unit
- +Appropriately selected circuit protection
- +RCD / RCBO protection where required
- +Surge protection where appropriate
- +Capacity planned for future requirements
- +Non-combustible enclosure where required by current standards
Before we replace a consumer unit
Assessment before installation.
Replacing a consumer unit involves considerably more than swapping one box for another. Before recommending an upgrade, we assess the relevant aspects of the existing electrical installation, which may include:
- -Existing circuits & their condition
- -Earthing arrangements
- -Main & supplementary bonding
- -The incoming electrical supply
- -Existing protective arrangements
- -Suitability of circuits being reconnected
- -Current & anticipated electrical demand
- -Capacity for future circuits
Anything of note that we find is discussed with you before or during the proposed work, as appropriate - so decisions are made with a clear understanding of the installation rather than after the event.
Future ready
Designed for what comes next.
An upgrade is also a natural moment to consider where the installation is heading. Adding these technologies does not automatically require a new consumer unit - available capacity & protection should be assessed as part of the wider electrical design.
EV charging & energy systems
Capacity & protection considered alongside solar, battery storage & EV charging.
Electric heating & heat pumps
Where electric heating or a heat pump is planned, the wider electrical design should account for it.
Extensions & new rooms
Additional circuits for new space can be anticipated rather than improvised later.
Kitchens & outdoor power
Appliance circuits, island power, garden & garage supplies planned as part of the whole.
Smart home technology
Provision for smart home installation so control can be added when it suits you.
Wider installation works
Where more extensive work is appropriate, an upgrade can be coordinated with full & partial rewires.
Process
A considered consumer unit upgrade.
01
Assessment
We review the existing installation, your electrical requirements, the earthing & bonding arrangements & the suitability of the circuits that will be connected to the replacement consumer unit.
02
Specification
An appropriate consumer unit & protective-device arrangement is selected for the property, its circuits & the way the installation is used.
03
Installation
The consumer unit is professionally replaced & connected, with careful circuit identification, labelling & respect for the property throughout.
04
Testing & Certification
The relevant work is inspected & tested, with the appropriate certification & Building Regulations notification where applicable. See our electrical testing & certification service.
Consumer unit questions
Common questions about consumer units.
How do I know if my consumer unit needs upgrading?
Age or appearance alone does not necessarily mean a replacement is required. The existing installation should be professionally assessed - particularly where protection, condition, capacity or future electrical requirements are a concern. An electrical inspection or EICR is usually the sensible starting point.
Is a consumer unit the same as a fuse box?
In everyday use, yes. 'Fuse box' is the term most homeowners use, while modern installations generally use consumer units containing circuit breakers & other protective devices rather than traditional rewireable fuses.
Does an old fuse box automatically need replacing?
No. Older equipment should be assessed on its condition, its protective arrangements & its suitability for the circuits & demand it serves, rather than on age alone.
Do you test the existing wiring before changing a consumer unit?
Yes. Relevant checks & testing are required to establish whether the existing circuits, earthing & bonding arrangements are suitable for reconnection to a new consumer unit.
Will a new consumer unit make my whole installation compliant with the latest regulations?
No. Replacing the consumer unit does not automatically bring every part of an older installation up to the latest standard. Any issues identified with the existing circuits are assessed & discussed with you separately.
Can a consumer unit be upgraded before installing an EV charger or solar system?
Sometimes additional capacity or protection is appropriate before EV charging, solar PV or battery storage is added, but this depends on the existing installation & should be assessed rather than assumed.
Do you install consumer units across Somerset?
Yes. We carry out consumer unit upgrades & fuse box replacements in Taunton, across Somerset & the surrounding areas.
Let's talk
Upgrade the heart of your electrical installation.
Every consumer unit upgrade is carefully assessed before installation and completed with the appropriate testing, certification & Building Regulations notification where applicable.
