Your consumer unit, commonly called a fuse box, is the heart of your home electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit and contains the safety devices that protect you from electric shock and fire. If your unit is more than 15 years old, or if it is made of plastic, it is time to consider an upgrade.

Since January 2016, all new consumer units installed in domestic properties must be made of non-combustible metal. This regulation was introduced because plastic consumer units were found to be a fire risk when internal faults caused overheating. If your fuse box is still plastic, it does not meet current safety standards regardless of its age.

A modern consumer unit contains three key types of protection. Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) protect individual circuits from overload and short circuit. Residual Current Devices (RCDs) detect earth leakage that could cause fatal electric shock. And Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) guard your valuable electronics from lightning strikes and grid voltage spikes.

The cost of a consumer unit upgrade for a typical 3-bedroom Leeds home ranges from £400 to £700, including the new metal unit, labour, all testing, and certification. Factors that increase cost include longer cable runs, additional circuits that need splitting, and consumer units installed in awkward locations like under stairs or in tight cupboards.

Most upgrades are completed in a single day, with power off for approximately 4 to 6 hours. We work room by room, testing each circuit as we reconnect it to ensure everything is safe and functional. You will receive an Electrical Installation Minor Works Certificate confirming the work meets BS 7671 regulations.

For homeowners adding EV chargers, garden offices, or extensions, a consumer unit upgrade is often necessary to provide spare circuit ways and adequate protection. We assess your existing unit during any quote and will recommend an upgrade if your current box cannot safely accommodate new circuits.