Time to Upgrade?

⚡ Does Your Fuse Board Need an Upgrade? Here’s What You Need to Know (and Why It’s Worth Every Penny)

Let’s be honest — your fuse board isn’t exactly the star of the show in your home. Tucked away in a cupboard or under the stairs, it quietly does its job without fuss. But like most unsung heroes, it has a breaking point — and when it’s too old, it could be putting your safety (and your wallet) at risk. So when does your fuse board need upgrading? Let’s flip the switch and shed some light.

🔎 First things first — what is a fuse board?

Your fuse board (now called a consumer unit) is the control centre for all the electrics in your home. It’s where the power comes in, gets divided up into circuits, and is protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Modern consumer units include RCDs (Residual Current Devices) and RCBOs, which are life-saving devices that instantly cut the power if something goes wrong — like a loose wire, overload, or electrical fault.

Older boards, especially ones with re-wirable fuses (those tiny bits of wire you twist in yourself), don’t offer this level of protection — and they often don’t meet current UK safety standards.

🚩 Signs your fuse board might need upgrading

Here’s when you should seriously consider swapping out your old board for a new one:

• 🧨 You still have a fuse box with rewireable fuses – These are ancient and nowhere near today’s safety standards.
• 💡 You’re experiencing regular trips or blown fuses – A sign your board can’t keep up with modern energy use.
• 🔌 Your circuits don’t have RCD protection – This is now a standard requirement for most installations.
• 🏠 You’re planning a renovation, extension, or adding new appliances – Your current board may not support extra load.
• 🔥 Burn marks, buzzing, or overheating around the fuse board – Red flag! This could mean a dangerous fault.
• 📜 You’ve had an EICR and it flagged C1 or C2 faults – These are considered dangerous or potentially dangerous, and will almost always require a board upgrade.

💷 So, how much does it cost?

In most domestic homes, the cost of a consumer unit upgrade ranges from £400 to £1000 The price depends on a few factors:

• The size of your home (number of circuits)
• The type and brand of consumer unit installed (RCBO boards can cost a bit more but offer better protection)
• Whether any additional work is needed (e.g., earth bonding, moving the unit, etc.)

But remember: this is a long-term investment in your safety and peace of mind. A modern board with RCDs can literally prevent electrical fires, protect your family, and ensure your home complies with UK electrical regulations.

🎯 Final thoughts – is it time to upgrade?

If your home still has a dated fuse box, it’s probably time to show it some love. Upgrading to a new consumer unit isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about bringing your home up to 21st-century safety standards and futureproofing your electrics.

Whether you live in a Victorian terrace in Edinburgh, a cottage in East Lothian, or a seaside semi in Dunbar, we can help you upgrade your consumer unit safely, quickly, and professionally.