Consumer Unit Upgrade

Do you think it's necessary to replace the fuse-box/consumer unit in your Cannock home?

Replacing the consumer unit or fuse board is a significant task that may not be as straightforward as it seems. If you have any questions about this matter, we aim to address them below.  

Prior to any consumer unit upgrade, we highly advise conducting an Electrical Inspection. This inspection will generate an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).  

We highly recommend conducting an Electrical Inspection prior to a consumer unit upgrade. This helps identify and address any potential safety issues or faults in your home's wiring system before installing the new consumer unit or fuse board.  

Modern consumer units have advanced technology that can detect problems which older units cannot. If there are any issues, the new consumer unit will refuse to turn on. It is essential to discover and fix these issues beforehand, as the affected circuits would need to remain disconnected until resolved.

At present, the applicable wiring regulations are BS7671 18th Edition Amendment 2. We ensure that all our work complies with the latest edition of these regulations, guaranteeing cutting-edge safety and technology in your home.

We exclusively use consumer units with RCBO devices, which are superior to dual RCD devices. With RCBOs, any future faults can be easily identified to the specific circuit, minimising inconvenience. In contrast, dual RCD boards, although cheaper, can potentially affect half of your home during a fault, such as a cooker circuit malfunction.

As a standard practice, we install Surge Protection to safeguard your home's wiring and appliances against over-voltages and electrical surges.

That's enough technical information for now! If you have further questions, feel free to contact Jordan Electrical Services - Your Local, Trusted, Skilled Electrician in Heath Hayes, Cannock. 

Frequently asked questions

A buzzing noise can have various causes, such as loose connections within the consumer unit, aging circuit breakers, or a noisy bell transformer for an old doorbell, among other things. If you notice any unusual electrical noises like buzzing, it is advisable to have it checked out. Contact us, and we will inspect your consumer unit to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Surge protection refers to devices known as SPDs (Surge Protection Devices). These devices are designed to prevent voltage spikes from the electrical supply, safeguarding your wiring, consumer unit, and appliances in your home.

While some older fuse wire consumer units can still offer a certain level of protection to the electrical installation and users, they are considered obsolete and outdated. In many cases, these older units no longer provide sufficient protection and should be replaced. An electrical inspection will determine whether your electrical installation is suitable for continued use.

Yes, a new consumer unit must be constructed with metal materials to comply with the latest edition of the wiring regulations, specifically BS7671 18th Edition Amendment 2.

An AFDD, or Arc Fault Detection Device, is a safety device that combines multiple protective elements in one device. It is designed to detect arcing in electrical circuits. These devices are relatively new to the domestic market and currently come at a higher cost. We can provide a quote for fitting AFDDs upon request.

Yes, we can relocate your consumer unit. However, moving a consumer unit can be costly, so you need to consider whether the expense is justified by the desired aesthetic result. In order to comply with wiring regulations, it may be necessary to replace the consumer unit when moving it. Additionally, the relocation process may leave behind a junction box where the original unit was located. We are happy to discuss options and provide guidance if you decide to move your consumer unit.

An RCD, or Residual Current Device, is a safety device that monitors electrical circuits for any missing electrical current. If it detects an imbalance, it assumes that someone may be experiencing an electric shock and promptly shuts off the electricity supply.

The process of changing an average 10-way fuse board, including safety testing and certification, typically takes around half a day to a full day. However, before replacing the board, an electrical inspection must be conducted, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be produced to identify any existing faults or unsafe situations.