What domestic households should know when considering replacing a consumer unit?

Upgrade Your Consumer Unit in Leicester & Leicestershire with 786 Electricals

At 786 Electricals, we understand that upgrading your consumer unit (often still called a fuse box) is a significant decision for any homeowner or landlord in Leicester and Leicestershire. This isn't just about replacing an old box; it's about investing in the safety, efficiency, and future-readiness of your property. We believe in providing clear, expert guidance and transparent pricing, ensuring that every penny you spend with us translates into invaluable peace of mind and superior electrical protection.

Why Your Consumer Unit is More Critical Than You Think: Enhancing Safety and Utility

Your consumer unit is the very heart of your property's electrical system. It's the central hub that safely distributes electricity throughout your home and, crucially, acts as the primary safeguard against electrical faults. Over time, consumer units, like any vital component, can become outdated, posing potential risks and limiting the functionality of your electrical setup.

For homeowners and landlords in Leicester and throughout Leicestershire, upgrading your consumer unit isn't merely a compliance exercise; it's a proactive step towards a safer, more efficient, and more capable electrical installation.

Key Reasons for a Consumer Unit Replacement or Upgrade in Leicester

We frequently assist clients in Leicester with consumer unit replacements for a variety of critical reasons:

• Modernisation During Refurbishment: When undertaking property refurbishments, new circuits are often required. Connecting these to an outdated consumer unit that doesn't meet the latest electrical regulations (BS 7671) is not only non-compliant but also unsafe. A new consumer unit ensures your updated home is electrically sound from the ground up.
• Addressing EICR Recommendations: Following an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – a thorough inspection of your electrical system – it's common for a recommendation to replace the consumer unit. This is often due to concerns about its condition, functionality, or its inability to provide modern levels of protection against electric shock and fire.
• Proactive Safety and Utility Upgrade: Many of our clients in Leicester are increasingly aware of the life-saving capabilities and enhanced utility offered by modern consumer units. They understand that investing in a new unit is an investment in the safety of their family and property, as well as the ability to safely power more of today's essential appliances.

What Makes a Modern Consumer Unit Superior?

Since January 1st, 2016, it has become mandatory for all consumer units installed or replaced in domestic premises to be fire-rated steel. This critical change significantly enhances fire safety within your home, providing an additional layer of protection against the spread of fire originating from the electrical system.

While the specific configuration of consumer units can vary, all modern domestic units will universally feature:

• A Main Switch: The master control for cutting off all power to your property.
• Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs): These automatically switch off individual circuits in the event of an overload or short circuit, protecting your wiring and appliances.
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) / Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers with Integral Overcurrent Protection (RCBOs): This is where modern consumer units truly excel in terms of safety. Unlike older fuse boxes, modern units are specifically designed to detect earth faults. This means they can quickly detect a dangerous imbalance in the electrical current (e.g., if you accidentally cut through a cable or an appliance develops a fault) and rapidly switch off the power, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock and electrical fires. RCBOs offer individual RCD protection for each circuit, minimising inconvenience if one circuit trips.

Essentially, a modern consumer unit is an intelligent guardian, capable of detecting existing circuit faults and instantaneously cutting power if a dangerous situation arises, offering a level of protection far beyond what older fuse boxes could provide.

Your Options for Consumer Unit Replacement in Leicester

At 786 Electricals, we offer a tailored approach to your consumer unit upgrade, prioritising safety and compliance.

Option 1: The Recommended Approach - Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) Before Replacement

We highly recommend conducting an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before replacing your consumer unit. It's not uncommon for an existing electrical installation, particularly an older one, to have underlying faults or issues that an old fuse box couldn't detect. An EICR will:

• Provide a comprehensive overview of the current condition of your entire electrical installation.
• Identify any existing wiring faults, outdated cabling, or potentially dangerous situations that need addressing.
• Allow our experienced electricians to rectify any issues before connecting them to your new, highly sensitive consumer unit, ensuring the safest and most efficient outcome.

While this may seem like an additional step, it provides invaluable insights and ensures that your entire electrical system, not just the consumer unit, is brought up to the highest safety standards. This preventative measure often saves our clients in Leicester from future complications and ensures complete peace of mind.

Option 2: Direct Consumer Unit Replacement (with considerations)

In situations where immediate power restoration or urgent safety concerns are paramount, a consumer unit can be replaced without a prior EICR. However, it's crucial to understand the implications:

• Potential Isolated Circuits: If underlying faults exist, individual circuits may need to be left isolated (disconnected) until those faults are identified and rectified.
• Certification Requirements: An Electrical Installation Certificate can only be issued once the entire electrical installation complies with the current wiring regulations (BS 7671). This means any pre-existing faults would need to be addressed post-installation to achieve full certification.

We will always discuss these options transparently with you, advising on the best course of action for your specific property and circumstances in Leicester.

Essential Checks During Your Consumer Unit Replacement

When 786 Electricals undertakes a consumer unit replacement in your Leicestershire property, we meticulously perform crucial checks to ensure the integrity and safety of your entire electrical system:

• Earth Bonding Verification: We verify and ensure the correct and adequate earth bonding to your gas and water services. This is a critical safety measure that protects against electric shock.
• Distributor's Service Visual Check: The incoming electrical supply from the distributor's service head must be visually inspected for soundness and integrity.
• Ideal EICR Commissioning: As mentioned, ideally an EICR is commissioned to provide a comprehensive summary of the electrical installation's condition, highlighting any immediately dangerous, potentially dangerous, or "requires further investigation" observations. This ensures all potential risks are identified and addressed.

The Paperwork: Your Assurance of Quality and Compliance

When you choose 786 Electricals for your consumer unit replacement in Leicester, you will receive comprehensive documentation, classifying the work as "new work" under electrical regulations:

• Electrical Installation Certificate: This is a legally required document confirming that the new consumer unit installation complies with the latest BS 7671 wiring regulations.
• Building Control Compliance Certificate: As a Part P registered company, we will notify your local Building Control, and you will receive a certificate confirming compliance with building regulations.
• Detailed Invoice: A clear and transparent invoice for all works carried out.
• Manufacturer's Specification Sheet: Documentation detailing the specifications of your new consumer unit.
• An Additional 6-Year Labour Guarantee from 786 Electricals Ltd: This is our commitment to the quality and durability of our workmanship, extending your peace of mind far beyond the standard guarantees.

Fair Pricing for Unrivalled Value in Leicester

We understand that price is a consideration. At 786 Electricals, we pride ourselves on offering fair and transparent pricing for our consumer unit replacement and upgrade services across Leicester and Leicestershire. What you pay for is not just a new box; you're investing in:

• Exceptional Safety Standards: Modern, fire-rated steel consumer units with advanced RCD/RCBO protection drastically reduce the risk of electric shock and fire. This enhanced safety is priceless.
• Increased Electrical Capacity and Utility: A modern unit allows your home to safely handle the demands of contemporary living, powering more appliances and supporting smart home technologies without tripping issues.
• Compliance and Certification: We ensure your property meets all current electrical and building regulations, protecting your insurance and future property sales.
• Years of Expert Experience: Our advice is not just valuable; it's forged from years of hands-on experience and continuous professional development. We are not just electricians; we are seasoned electrical safety specialists.
• Long-Term Peace of Mind: Our comprehensive checks, meticulous installation, and an additional 6-year labour guarantee mean you can trust in the longevity and reliability of our work.

For those who understand the true value of safety, expertise, and long-term reliability, our services offer an unparalleled return on investment. We don't just replace consumer units; we upgrade your home's entire electrical future.



If you require any assistance or wish to discuss a consumer unit replacement or upgrade for your property in Leicester or Leicestershire, please do not hesitate to contact us. The best way to reach our expert team is by calling or emailing us directly. We are here to provide authoritative advice and deliver top-tier electrical solutions.