What You Need to Know About Consumer Unit Replacement
If you’ve ever wondered whether your fuse board is out of date or how much it costs to replace it, this guide is for you. A consumer unit is one of the most important safety features in your home, and replacing an old or inadequate one can be a game-changer for both the safety of your home and its performance.
At TS Electrical, we handle consumer unit replacements across Sussex and Kent, making homes and businesses safer, more efficient, and fully compliant with modern standards.
What Is a Consumer Unit?
A consumer unit is the central control panel for your electrical system. It distributes power to various circuits around your home and contains safety devices like RCDs (residual current devices), MCBs (miniature circuit breakers), and sometimes surge protection devices.
It’s often still called a “fuse board,” but modern consumer units do much more than just house fuses. They’re designed to isolate faults quickly, prevent short circuits, and reduce the risk of electrical fires.
Do Plastic Consumer Units Need to Be Replaced?
If your existing wiring is in good condition and your plastic consumer unit meets current building regulations, you may not need to replace it immediately. However, older units with plastic enclosures are more prone to catching fire during a fault and may not meet modern safety standards.
Since 2016, non-combustible metal consumer units have become the norm in domestic properties, especially under updated fire safety regulations. If your unit is located under a wooden staircase or near escape routes, upgrading to a metal unit is strongly advised.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Consumer Unit?
Consumer unit replacement cost varies depending on the property, the type of consumer unit required, and whether any remedial work is needed.
For a typical domestic property, prices usually fall between £450 and £750, which includes:
- Removal of the old fuse board
- Supply and installation of a new metal-clad unit
- All necessary testing and certification
- Labelling of circuits and full documentation
If your electrical installations are very old or you’re planning other upgrades (like an EV charger), that may increase the cost slightly.
Does an EV Charger Need a Separate Consumer Unit?
In some cases, yes. If your main board doesn’t have space for the number of circuits needed, or if additional RCD protection is required, your EV charger may need a dedicated supply and separate consumer unit.
At TS Electrical, we assess your whole system before installing any EV charger. We make sure the setup is safe, future-proof, and compliant with the latest standards.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Consumer Unit?
Most consumer unit installations take between 4 and 6 hours, depending on access and the condition of your wiring.
During the process, your electricity will be off temporarily. We keep disruption to a minimum and carry out a full inspection before and after the swap, testing each circuit to ensure it’s working correctly and safely.
What Type of Consumer Unit Should I Choose?
This depends on the property and your needs. Options include:
- Dual RCD consumer units: Great for homes, splitting the circuits across two RCDs to prevent full outages if one trips.
- High integrity consumer units: Offer even more flexibility, allowing essential circuits to be protected independently.
- Surge protection devices: Now often legally required in new installations, protecting your system from power surges caused by lightning or faults.
We’ll always recommend the best option based on your budget and requirements.
Why Replace Your Consumer Unit?
Here’s when a consumer unit replacement is a smart move:
- Your fuse board is outdated or has no RCD protection
- You’ve had repeated electrical faults or trips
- You’re planning new electrical work like a kitchen refit or EV charger
- You want to improve protection against electrical fires
- You’re selling your home and need to meet inspection standards
It’s not just a case of meeting the regulations, but about protecting your home, your family, and your appliances.
Why Choose TS Electrical?
We’re NICEIC-approved and fully qualified to carry out consumer unit replacements, upgrades, and safety inspections.
- Expert advice on the right type of consumer unit
- Transparent installation costs with no hidden fees
- Minimal disruption and full testing included
- Up-to-date with BS 7671 and Part P of the building regulations
If your fuse board is past its best, or you’re unsure if it meets modern safety standards, let us take a look. A quick check today could save a major issue tomorrow.
Ready to replace your consumer unit? Speak to TS Electrical for honest advice and professional installation.
📧 info@tselectricalservice.co.uk
FAQs
What is a consumer unit?
It’s the control centre of your electrical system. It distributes power and houses safety devices that protect your home.
How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit?
Prices usually range between £450 and £750, depending on your home and requirements.
How long does a consumer unit replacement take?
Most jobs are completed within one working day.
Do plastic consumer units need to be replaced?
Often, yes. Especially if they don’t meet current fire safety regulations or lack RCD protection.
Do I need a separate consumer unit for my EV charger?
Possibly. It depends on the space and capacity of your current board. We’ll assess it for you.
Is replacing a consumer unit disruptive?
There will be a short power outage, but we work quickly and cleanly to keep disruption minimal.
