Upgrading a homes consumer unit (fuse box) is a very common electrical task.
If you are considering this project we recommend the following.
🪛 Choose a good quality brand with a reputation for reliability. If you have a quote for a new fuse box ask your electrician what brand of board they intend to install. Cheap fuse boxes are awful things and considering it’s the main interface to your homes incoming supply we do not recommend you cut costs here.
🪛 Choose an RCBO board. Not a split load board. Ask your electrician about this. Split load boards are cheaper but they are prone to nuisance tripping. This is an infuriating problem that can be expensive to fix and very disruptive. RCBO boards are much more resilient to nuisance tripping.
🪛 Get an electrical installation condition report (EICR) done first by a qualified electrician. This way you will know ahead if you need to upgrade your earthing or attend to any other safety issues associated with your electrics. It’s all very well having the latest fuse board but if the circuits connected to it are unfit for use then it’s self defeating.
🪛 Fit an SPD. This means surge protection device. These units fit inside a new fuse box and offer protection against electrical spikes in the supply. These electrical spikes can do serious damage to TVs, computers etc and an SPD soaks up an electrical spike like a sponge.
🪛Ask your electrician if they will be disposing if the old fuse box for you. Electrical waste should be disposed of according to local authority guidelines. In addition some old fuse boxes may contain asbestos.
🪛Plan for the job. Changing a fuse box can take a full day, maybe more if your home is large. This will mean there will be down time of the electrics in your home. If this could be an issue for you then talk to your electrician. Good electricians will be able to plan for this in such a way so as to cause as little disruption as possible.
🪛 Ask to see some photos of your electricians other fuse boxes they have recently installed. A good electrician will often make a neat and beautiful job of the wiring and be proud to show off examples of previous work. This shows care and attention to detail. Something you want in an electrician you are trusting with your homes main electrical box.
🪛Check that your quoted price for a fuse box upgrade includes full certification and part “P” notification. This is a legal requirement.
🪛Ask your electrician if the price they are quoting includes a guarantee and what that covers.
At Quantum we fit the best fuse boards to the highest standards. All of our work includes a warranty and complies to the latest regulations. Quantum is a fully accredited electrician company and we provide complete certification.
If you are considering a fuse box upgrade then call us for advice. We are here to speak to you on 0208 819 3188. Or you can email us on info@quantum-electrical.co.uk
Quantum “the fuse board wizards” Electricians & Plumbers
