No RCD protection
Older units using only fuses or MCBs give no protection against electric shock from an earth fault, a gap modern boards close with RCDs or RCBOs.
Consumer unitreplacements in Locks Heath& South Hampshire
An outdated or unsafe fuse board is replaced with a modern, correctly protected consumer unit, tested to current standards and certified on completion.
Rated 5.0 on Google · 12+ years in the trade · NAPIT registered
NAPIT registered
Work certified to current standards
18th Edition
BS 7671 wiring regulations
£5m / £10m cover
Public and employer's liability
5.0 on Google
Rated by local customers
12+ years
Experience in the trade
Overview
What a consumer unit replacement involves
The consumer unit, sometimes still called a fuse box, is the point where a property's incoming electricity supply is divided into individual circuits and protected. Replacing it means fitting a new unit with correctly rated breakers and RCD or RCBO protection, connecting each existing circuit to it, and testing the whole arrangement before it goes back into service.
This work is typically needed when an EICR identifies a consumer unit as a safety concern, when an older unit uses rewireable fuses or lacks RCD protection altogether, when a property is being renovated or rewired and the board needs to match the new circuit count, or simply when an existing unit is showing signs of wear such as scorching, cracked casings or unreliable breakers.
Because the consumer unit is central to the safety of every circuit in the property, this is notifiable work under Part P. As a NAPIT registered contractor, Hardi Electrical LTD notifies building control directly where required and issues an Electrical Installation Certificate once testing is complete.
Full board replacement
Swapping an outdated fuse box for a modern consumer unit with RCD or RCBO protection throughout.
Upgrades ahead of rewires
Fitting a board sized correctly for a new or expanded set of circuits during a rewire or renovation.
Fault-driven replacement
Replacing a unit that's tripping unpredictably, overheating, or has been flagged by an EICR.
Metal enclosure upgrades
Moving to a metal-clad consumer unit where current guidance calls for it, depending on the property's construction.
What happens if it is left
Why an old consumer unit is a genuine safety issue
Consumer units don't announce their own failure. A board can look intact from the outside while offering little real protection, which is exactly why EICRs so often flag them.
Rewireable fuses
Fuse wire can be replaced with the wrong rating by well-meaning DIY, removing the circuit protection it's meant to provide.
Heat damage at connections
Loose or corroded terminations inside an old board generate heat, and scorching around breakers is a sign the unit needs urgent attention.
Combustible enclosures
Older plastic consumer units in some property layouts don't meet the level of fire containment now expected, particularly on escape routes.
Common mistakes we are called out to fix
- Continuing to reset a tripping breaker repeatedly instead of finding out why it's tripping.
- Assuming a consumer unit is fine because it's 'not that old' without checking what protection it actually provides.
- Having circuits added to an old board over time without ever reviewing whether the board itself is still adequate.
- Choosing an unregistered installer for a board swap, leaving no EIC and no notification to building control.
Our process
How a consumer unit replacement is carried out
Replacing a consumer unit means the property is briefly without power while the swap happens, so the work is planned to keep that downtime as short as reasonably possible.
- 01
Site visit and assessment
The existing board, circuits and any known faults are reviewed to establish the right specification for the replacement.
- 02
Written quote
A written quote is provided based on the number of circuits and the unit specified, priced individually for the property.
- 03
Isolation and removal
The supply is safely isolated and the old consumer unit is removed.
- 04
New unit fitted and connected
The new board is fitted and each existing circuit is connected, with RCD or RCBO protection allocated correctly across circuits.
- 05
Testing and certification
Every circuit is tested from the new board, with an Electrical Installation Certificate issued and building control notified directly where the work is notifiable.
What you get
What a properly specified replacement delivers
Quick turnaround
Most domestic consumer unit replacements are completed within a single working day.
Meaningfully safer installation
RCD or RCBO protection across circuits closes gaps that older boards simply don't cover.
Longer service life
A correctly specified modern unit is built to give many years of reliable protection.
Costed to the property
Every replacement is priced individually once the number of circuits and specification are known.
Fewer nuisance trips
RCBOs allow individual circuits to be protected separately, so a fault on one circuit doesn't take out the whole house.
Documented compliance
An EIC and, where required, building control notification give a clear record for insurers, buyers and future electricians.
In detail
Specification, methods and situations
RCD versus RCBO protection
A dual-RCD board splits circuits across two RCDs, so a fault on one circuit only affects the circuits sharing that RCD rather than the whole property. An RCBO-based board gives each circuit its own combined overcurrent and residual current protection, which reduces nuisance tripping further and is often the preferred specification where budget and circuit count allow.
The right choice depends on the number of circuits, how the property is used, and what's practical for the existing installation, which is assessed during the site visit rather than assumed in advance.
Enclosure type and location
Consumer units are available in various enclosure types, and current guidance on fire-resistant construction is considered when specifying a replacement, particularly in relation to where the unit is sited within the property, such as under stairs or on an escape route.
Replacement during a wider rewire
Where a consumer unit replacement happens alongside a full or partial rewire, the board is sized for the final circuit count rather than the existing one, so there's no need to revisit the installation shortly after completion. Where it's a standalone replacement, the existing circuits are assessed to confirm they're suitable to connect to the new board as they are.
Domestic and outbuilding boards
Most replacements are for the main household consumer unit, but sub-boards feeding garages, outbuildings or extensions are assessed on the same basis, since they carry the same safety considerations as the main board.
Recent work
Photographs from jobs we have completed
Scroll across to see more of our completed work.
Common questions
Answers before you get in touch
How much does a consumer unit replacement cost?
It depends on the number of circuits and the specification needed, so a site visit is used to assess this before a written quote is provided.
How long does the replacement take?
Most domestic replacements are completed in a single working day, including testing and certification.
What's the process from enquiry to completion?
A site visit and assessment lead to a written quote, then isolation, fitting of the new unit, reconnection of circuits, and full testing and certification.
Will I get a certificate for the work?
Yes. An Electrical Installation Certificate is issued once testing is complete, and building control is notified directly where the work is notifiable.
How long does a consumer unit last?
A correctly specified and installed unit is designed to provide reliable protection for many years, though periodic inspection and testing helps confirm it remains in good working order.
When can you carry out the replacement?
Once the site visit and quote are agreed, work is scheduled Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Call 07730 498814 to discuss timing.
Do you cover my area?
Yes, consumer unit replacements are carried out across Locks Heath, Warsash, Hedge End, Southampton, Fareham, Titchfield, Park Gate and Whiteley.
Will the power be off for long during the swap?
The supply needs to be isolated while the old unit is removed and the new one connected, so there's a period without power, kept as short as practically possible during the visit.
Related services
Other work we take on
Next step
Get a written quote for your consumer unit
We'll assess your existing board and circuits, then provide a written quote. Call 07730 498814 or send an enquiry.
07730 498814
hardielectrical@outlook.com
Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm
NAPIT registered · £5m public liability · £10m employer’s liability