Fuse Board Upgrades

If your fuse board is beginning to show its age, or perhaps you are making some other changes to the electrical system in your home, you may need to upgrade to a safer, new consumer unit. Intolec are your local, reliable and experienced fuse board upgrade electrician in Warwickshire.

Fuse board or consumer unit?

If you have been doing some research on fuse board upgrades, you will have come across the term consumer unit used interchangeably with fuse board. A consumer unit is simply the modern upgrade to a traditional, rewireable fuse board and they perform the same essential functions. They are both responsible for controlling the safe flow of electricity through your Warwickshire home. A properly operational fuse board or consumer unit is essential for your safety. When an electrical fault occurs in your wiring, the fuse board cuts the power to prevent damage, electrical fire or shock. The main differences between the two are:

• Fuse Board – The older of the two, a fuse board has manually rewireable fuses that melt when a fault occurs. The electrical current cannot flow until that fuse is rewired. There is a delay of a few seconds whilst a fuse wire melts during a fault. There is an increased risk of electrical fire or shock during this timeframe. When a manual fuse trips, you must find the correct fuse and rewire it to turn the power back on. This can be a fiddly job – especially in the dark!
• Consumer Unit – A consumer unit is the safer, upgraded and regulation compliant version of a fuse board. A consumer unit cuts the power during a fault by breaking the circuit. A consumer unit does this virtually instantaneously, reducing the risk of fire or injury considerably. Each area of your home, such as downstairs lights, will have its own named circuit breaker (MCB) with a small switch that toggles off during a fault. Tis makes it easy to identify which circuit has a fault. Restoring power is as simple as flicking the switch back to the on position.

Why replace my fuse board?

The most common reason to carry out a fuse board upgrade at your Warwickshire home is that your current board is showing its age. A fuse board or consumer unit is designed to have a lifespan of around 20-30 years, depending on usage. If your home has the older style fuse board we have just discussed, then you will almost certainly be overdue an upgrade. An older style fuse board with rewireable fuses no longer meets the required safety standards and is unlikely to protect you and your family effectively from the dangers of electrical shock or fire.

For some homeowners, their existing consumer unit will be upgraded during renovations or additions to the home. The installation of an EV car charger, addition of a solar panel system or a kitchen extension project can all require additional capacity at the consumer unit. If you are planning any major works to your Warwickshire property it is always advisable to consult your local qualified electrician first. They will let you know if your electrical system is up to the challenge and will meet building regulations.

Who can upgrade a fuse board?

Only a registered, qualified electrician can upgrade the fuse board or consumer unit at your Warwickshire home. A Part P registered electrician must complete and sign off the works to meet building regulations. A fuse board upgrade is a complex task, requiring a high level of skill and experience and should only be carried out by trusted electrician. Intolec are proud to be NAPIT registered, Part P electricians. We have been independently assessed to work competently and in full compliance with all relevant regulations. Choosing a registered electrician such as us to upgrade your fuse board has other benefits too; we are fully insured and our work is guaranteed  

If you are looking for a reliable, experienced electrician to perform a fuse board upgrade in Warwickshire, call our friendly team at Intolec. Fully qualified and NAPIT registered, our electricians are reliable, professional, and come highly recommended. We cover Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford upon Avon and all other areas of Warwickshire. Contact us today.