Fuse Box & Consumer Unit Upgrades in London

Fuse Box & Consumer Unit Upgrades for London Properties

RCD Electrical assesses existing fuse boxes and consumer units, then carries out the agreed replacement or upgrade for homes and commercial properties across London.

Existing Unit Assessment Updated Circuit Protection Homes & Commercial Properties
Fuse box and consumer unit upgrades in London

Upgrade the Main Distribution Point Around the Existing Installation

A fuse box or consumer unit distributes the electrical supply across the property and contains the protective devices for its circuits. We review the existing unit, circuit arrangement and wider installation before confirming whether replacement or upgrade work is appropriate.

Existing unit assessment Planned replacement or upgrade Testing of the agreed work
01 · Service overview

What a Fuse Box or Consumer Unit Upgrade Changes

The work replaces the existing distribution unit and reconnects the agreed circuits through the new arrangement. The final scope depends on the condition of the property and what is found during assessment and testing.

01

Main Circuit Distribution

The consumer unit is where the incoming supply is divided between the electrical circuits serving the property.

02

Protective Devices

The unit contains the devices used to protect individual circuits and isolate them for electrical work or investigation.

03

Clear Circuit Arrangement

The connected circuits are identified and arranged around the installation that remains in use after the agreed work.

A consumer unit upgrade is planned work, not a substitute for fault diagnosis. Repeated tripping, burning smells, overheating, sparking or sudden power loss should first be checked through electrical fault finding or by an emergency electrician in London.
02 · Assessment before work

What We Review Before Replacing the Unit

The consumer unit cannot be considered in isolation. We look at the connected circuits, supply arrangements and accessible parts of the installation before agreeing the work.

01

Existing Fuse Box or Consumer Unit

We review its condition, layout, available information and any signs of damage, heat or previous alteration.

02

Connected Circuits

The number, purpose and condition of the circuits affect how the replacement unit should be planned.

03

Earthing and Bonding

Protective earthing and bonding arrangements are considered before the new unit is connected.

04

Labelling and Identification

Existing circuit labels are checked against the installation so unclear or incorrect information can be addressed.

05

Planned Electrical Additions

New fixed equipment or additional circuits should be discussed before the consumer unit layout is finalised.

06

Access and Occupancy

Access to the unit, working space and equipment that must remain powered affect how the visit is arranged.

03 · Reasons for assessment

When a Fuse Box or Consumer Unit Upgrade May Be Considered

The need for an upgrade depends on the condition and suitability of the existing unit, the connected installation and any planned electrical work.

Older unit

Existing Fuse Box

An older unit may be reviewed when its condition, protection or suitability for the current installation is in question.

Visible concern

Damage or Heat

Cracking, loose parts, discolouration or signs of overheating should be assessed before replacement work is agreed.

New circuits

Planned Electrical Additions

Additional fixed equipment or new circuits may affect the space, arrangement and protection needed at the consumer unit.

Report finding

Work Identified Elsewhere

An electrical report or earlier inspection may recommend a review of the existing board or its protective devices.

Age alone does not define the work

An older fuse box does not by itself confirm the full scope. The unit and connected installation should be assessed before replacement, circuit repairs or wider upgrades are proposed.

Tell us about planned fixed equipment before the assessment. An EV charger installation or electrical supply for air-conditioning may affect the work that needs to be considered.
04 · How the work is arranged

What Happens During a Consumer Unit Upgrade

We confirm the property details and agreed scope, isolate the supply, complete the planned replacement and test the connected work before normal use resumes.

  1. 01

    Review the Installation

    We confirm the existing unit, connected circuits, access and any known electrical issues.

  2. 02

    Agree the Scope

    The replacement arrangement and any separate circuit work are explained before installation begins.

  3. 03

    Replace the Unit

    The supply is isolated while the existing unit is removed and the agreed replacement is installed.

  4. 04

    Reconnect and Test

    The circuits included in the work are reconnected, identified and checked before the installation is returned to use.

Before the appointment

Prepare for a Period Without Power

The electrical supply will need to be isolated while the consumer unit work is carried out.

  • Keep the consumer unit clear and accessible
  • Shut down computers and sensitive equipment safely
  • Tell occupants about the planned interruption
  • Identify alarms or equipment with essential power needs
Share any earlier reports, certificates or circuit information before the visit. Where the work forms part of a larger refurbishment, our electrical contractor service can coordinate the agreed electrical work across the property.
Items to Confirm Before Work Starts
  • Which consumer unit is included
  • Whether separate circuit repairs are required
  • Access and working arrangements
  • Electrical work outside the agreed replacement scope
05 · Work included in the upgrade

How the Existing Unit Is Replaced

The agreed work focuses on the consumer unit and the circuits being connected to it. Separate defects found elsewhere are explained before additional work is proposed.

01

Safe Isolation

The electrical supply is isolated before the existing fuse box or consumer unit is removed.

02

New Unit Installation

The replacement unit is installed around the agreed circuit arrangement and available working space.

03

Circuit Connection and Labelling

The circuits included in the scope are connected and identified so the arrangement is clear at the board.

04

Testing and Handover

The agreed work is tested and any separate concerns found during the process are explained.

Board issue The unit itself may need replacement.
Circuit issue A separate repair or investigation may be required.
Wider deterioration The installation may need a broader assessment.
When another fault is found

Consumer Unit Work Is Kept Separate from Circuit Repairs

A new board should not be presented as a cure for faults elsewhere. We explain any separate circuit issue before additional work is agreed.

View Fault Finding Service
06 · Planning and quotation

What We Need Before Confirming the Upgrade

A consumer unit upgrade cannot be priced accurately from property size alone. The existing unit, circuit count, condition and access all affect the scope.

Assessment comes before quotation The work is confirmed after the unit and connected installation have been reviewed.
Existing Unit
Review

Tell us whether the property has a fuse box or consumer unit and share clear photographs where possible.

Visible labels and the surrounding area are useful.
Assessment required before quotation
Circuit Details
Review

The number of connected circuits and any known faults or unclear labels affect the assessment.

Previous reports can help identify known concerns.
Assessment required before quotation
Planned Additions
Review

Mention any new circuits or fixed equipment that may need to be considered alongside the upgrade.

Raise future requirements before the layout is agreed.
Assessment required before quotation

The final quotation is based on the agreed consumer unit work and any separate electrical issues identified during assessment. Repairs or additions outside that scope are discussed separately.

07 · Why the upgrade may be needed

Why the Existing Fuse Box and Connected Installation Must Be Reviewed

The board distributes the electrical supply and contains the protective devices for the property’s circuits. Its condition, layout and relationship with the wider installation need to be understood before replacement work is agreed.

A new consumer unit does not automatically repair faults elsewhere. Repeated tripping, overheating, sparking, burning smells or sudden power loss should first be checked through electrical fault finding or by an emergency electrician in London.

Condition and suitability The Existing Board Needs to Be Assessed

The age of a fuse box alone does not confirm the full scope of work. Its physical condition, circuit arrangement, labelling and suitability for the connected installation all need to be reviewed.

Visible condition

Cracking, loose parts, discolouration or signs of heat should be checked before replacement is planned.

Circuit arrangement

The number and purpose of the connected circuits affect the layout required at the new unit.

Previous alterations

Older additions or unclear changes may need further investigation before the circuits are reconnected.

Circuit protection and isolation The Upgrade Must Match the Connected Circuits

A replacement consumer unit has to be planned around the circuits that will remain connected. The board layout, protective devices and circuit identification should reflect the actual installation.

Individual circuits

Each circuit needs to be identified so it can be connected and labelled in the agreed arrangement.

Protective devices

The devices within the new unit are selected around the connected circuits and the work being carried out.

Clear isolation

A clear board arrangement makes it easier to identify and isolate circuits during future work or investigation.

Faults outside the board Some Problems Need Separate Electrical Work

The consumer unit is one part of the electrical installation. Damaged cables, unsuitable connections or faults on individual circuits may still need separate repair after the board itself has been reviewed.

Local circuit faults

A single tripping or intermittent circuit may need targeted diagnosis rather than a wider replacement.

Damaged wiring

Problems within cables or accessories cannot be corrected simply by fitting a new consumer unit.

Wider deterioration

Several affected circuits may need a broader assessment before the final scope can be agreed.

Planning, access and future work Agree the Scope Before the Power Is Isolated

Consumer unit replacement requires the electrical supply to be isolated. Access, occupancy, sensitive equipment and planned electrical additions should be discussed before the appointment.

Power interruption

Computers, alarms and other sensitive equipment should be shut down safely before the work begins.

Access to the board

The consumer unit and surrounding working area need to be clear and accessible.

Future requirements

New circuits or fixed equipment should be raised early so they can be considered in the agreed layout.

Plan the upgrade around the installation

Assess the Existing Installation Before Replacing the Board

We review the current unit, connected circuits, access and planned electrical work before confirming the replacement scope and quotation.

Before we arrange the upgrade

Details That Help Us Assess Your Fuse Box or Consumer Unit

A few clear details help us understand the existing unit, connected circuits and access before we arrange an assessment. The final scope is confirmed after the installation has been reviewed.

Existing Fuse Box or Consumer Unit

Send clear photographs of the unit, circuit labels and surrounding area where possible. Mention visible damage, heat, unusual noise or recommendations from an EICR.

Circuits and Planned Electrical Work

Tell us how many units are installed and about any known circuit issues or planned additions. Future work such as an EV charger should be raised before the new layout is agreed.

Access and Power Requirements

Let us know whether the property is occupied and identify alarms, business equipment or essential systems affected by a power interruption. Repeated tripping or burning smells may need fault finding first.

RCD Electrical electrician assessing a fuse box or consumer unit in a London property
Fuse box and consumer unit guidance

Fuse Box & Consumer Unit Questions

Direct answers about assessments, replacement work, power interruptions, circuit faults, planning and quotations for London properties.

Assessment comes before replacement

An older board, a tripping circuit or a planned new electrical load does not define the work by itself. The existing unit and connected installation should be reviewed before the upgrade is quoted.

01What is the difference between a fuse box and a consumer unit?

The terms are often used for the same part of the installation. Fuse box usually describes an older board, while consumer unit is the common name for the unit that distributes the supply and contains the protective devices for the property’s circuits.

02How do I know if my fuse box needs upgrading?

Age alone does not confirm that replacement is needed. The condition of the unit, signs of heat or damage, the circuit arrangement, protective devices and the wider installation all need to be reviewed before the work is agreed.

03Does frequent tripping mean the consumer unit must be replaced?

Not necessarily. Tripping may come from a fault on an appliance, circuit or accessory rather than the board itself. The cause should be identified through electrical fault finding before a consumer unit replacement is treated as the answer.

04Can a new consumer unit fix problems with old wiring?

A new unit cannot repair damaged or unsuitable wiring elsewhere in the property. If the connected circuits are in poor condition, separate repairs or an electrical rewiring assessment may be needed before the final scope is confirmed.

05Do I need an EICR before a consumer unit upgrade?

An EICR is not automatically required for every enquiry, but it can provide useful information where the condition of the wider fixed installation is uncertain. The electrician still needs to assess the existing unit and connected circuits before replacement work is agreed.

06Will the electricity be switched off during the work?

Yes. The supply needs to be isolated while the existing unit is removed and the replacement is installed. Computers and sensitive equipment should be shut down safely, and any alarms or essential equipment should be discussed before the appointment.

07How long does a fuse box or consumer unit upgrade take?

The time depends on the number of circuits, the condition of the installation, access, labelling and any separate faults found during testing. The expected programme can be discussed after the existing unit has been assessed.

08What is checked before the old unit is replaced?

We review the existing board, connected circuits, available labels, earthing and bonding arrangements, access and any known electrical issues. Planned additions should also be raised before the new layout is agreed.

09What happens if a fault is found during the upgrade?

The fault is explained before work outside the agreed consumer unit scope is added. A local problem may need a separate repair, while several affected circuits may require a wider investigation.

10Can the consumer unit be moved to a different position?

Moving the unit is a different scope from replacing it in the same position. The proposed location, cable routes, access and the work needed to reconnect the circuits must be assessed before it can be quoted.

11Should planned additions be mentioned before the upgrade?

Yes. Tell us about proposed circuits or fixed equipment, including an EV charger or air-conditioning supply, before the consumer unit arrangement is finalised. This helps the assessment reflect the electrical work you are actually planning.

12Can the work be carried out in an occupied property?

The work may be arranged in an occupied property, but access and the power interruption need to be planned. Tell occupants in advance and identify any equipment or areas that cannot be left without power unexpectedly.

13How much does a fuse box or consumer unit upgrade cost?

There is no single price based only on the property size. The quotation depends on the existing unit, circuit count, condition of the installation, access, planned additions and any separate repair work identified during assessment.

14What details should I send before requesting an assessment?

Provide the postcode, property type and clear photographs of the fuse box or consumer unit, labels and surrounding area. Mention the number of units, known faults, previous reports, access restrictions and any electrical additions you are planning.

Fuse box and consumer unit upgrades in London

Request an Assessment Before the Work Is Booked

Send the postcode, property type, photographs of the unit, known faults and details of any electrical additions you are planning.

London coverage

Fuse Box and Consumer Unit Upgrades Across London

We provide fuse box and consumer unit assessment and upgrade services across Central, West and North West London, including the areas listed below.

  • Fulham
  • Hammersmith
  • Chelsea
  • Kensington
  • Holland Park
  • Putney
  • Battersea
  • Westminster
  • Central London
  • West London
  • North West London
  • Blackfriars
  • Golders Green
  • Finchley
  • Hendon
  • Hampstead
  • West Hampstead

For a property outside these locations, send us the postcode and we will confirm availability.

Fuse box and consumer unit upgrades in London

Request an Assessment Before the Upgrade

Book online, call us or send the property details and photographs through our contact page.