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

Upgrade Your Consumer Unit in Leicester & Leicestershire with 786 Electricals

Thinking about a consumer unit upgrade in Leicester or Leicestershire? You’ve come to the right place. At 786 Electricals, we specialize in modernizing your home’s electrical system to ensure it's safe, efficient, and ready for the future.

We understand that replacing a consumer unit—often called a fuse box—is a big decision. This isn’t just a simple box swap; it’s a critical investment in your family’s safety and your property’s value. We provide clear, expert guidance and transparent pricing, ensuring you get the best protection and peace of mind.

Why Your Consumer Unit Needs to Be Modernized

Your consumer unit is the heart of your home's electrical system. It's the central point that safely distributes electricity and, most importantly, protects against dangerous electrical faults. Old fuse boxes can't keep up with the demands of modern living and lack the essential safety features of today's units.

For homeowners and landlords across Leicestershire, upgrading your consumer unit is a crucial step toward a safer, more efficient, and more reliable electrical installation.

Key Reasons to Replace Your Consumer Unit

We regularly help clients in Leicester upgrade their consumer units for several important reasons:

• During a Property Refurbishment: If you're renovating, a new consumer unit is essential. Connecting new wiring to an outdated fuse box is unsafe and doesn't comply with the latest electrical regulations (BS 7671). A new unit ensures your newly refurbished home is electrically sound from the ground up.
• Following an EICR (Electrical Report): After an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), it's common to receive a recommendation to replace the consumer unit. This is often because the old unit is in poor condition or can't provide modern protection against electric shock and fire.
• For Proactive Safety: Many of our clients choose to upgrade proactively. They understand that a modern consumer unit provides life-saving protection for their family and property. It's a smart investment in safety, preventing issues before they occur.

What Makes a Modern Consumer Unit Safer?

Since January 2016, all new domestic consumer units must be fire-rated steel. This mandatory change significantly reduces the risk of electrical fires spreading from the unit.

Beyond the casing, modern units offer superior protection through advanced components:

• Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs): These replace old fuses, automatically switching off a circuit if there's an overload or short circuit. This protects your appliances and wiring.
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) & RCBOs: This is where modern units truly excel. They are designed to detect earth faults—a dangerous imbalance in the electrical current. If you accidentally cut through a cable or an appliance faults, an RCD or RCBO will instantly cut the power, drastically reducing the risk of electric shock and fire.



Essentially, a modern consumer unit is an intelligent guardian, capable of detecting and instantly reacting to dangerous faults that an old fuse box would miss.

Our Recommended Approach to Your Upgrade

At 786 Electricals, we believe in doing the job right. That's why we recommend a two-step process to ensure the highest level of safety and compliance.

Step 1: The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Before we replace your consumer unit, we highly recommend a full EICR. An older electrical system may have underlying faults or outdated wiring that an old fuse box couldn't detect. The EICR will:

• Provide a comprehensive overview of your entire electrical system.
• Identify any existing wiring faults or dangerous situations.
• Allow us to rectify any issues before we connect them to your new, highly sensitive consumer unit.

While this may seem like an extra step, it gives you invaluable peace of mind. It ensures your entire electrical system is brought up to the latest safety standards, preventing future issues and guaranteeing the safest possible outcome.

Step 2: The Consumer Unit Replacement

Once your electrical system is verified as safe, we proceed with the replacement. During the installation, we perform crucial checks to ensure the integrity of your entire system, including:

• Earth Bonding: We verify and ensure the correct earth bonding to your gas and water pipes—a critical safety measure against electric shock.
• Distributor's Service Visual Check: We visually inspect the incoming electrical supply for soundness and integrity.

We handle all the details, from the meticulous installation to the required paperwork.

Why Choose 786 Electricals for Your Consumer Unit Upgrade?

When you choose us, you're not just getting a new box. You're investing in a complete safety and compliance solution for your property in Leicestershire.

• Exceptional Safety Standards: We install fire-rated steel consumer units with advanced RCD/RCBO protection, drastically reducing the risk of electric shock and fire.
• Full Compliance: As a Part P registered company, we ensure your new installation meets all current electrical regulations (BS 7671) and building regulations. We provide all the necessary certificates, including the Electrical Installation Certificate and the Building Control Compliance Certificate.
• Transparent Pricing: We offer fair, clear pricing. You get unrivalled value for your investment in safety, expertise, and long-term reliability.
• Unrivalled Guarantee: We stand by our work. That’s why we provide an additional 6-Year Labour Guarantee on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. This is our commitment to the quality and durability of our workmanship.

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

Ready to Discuss Your Consumer Unit Upgrade?

If you have questions or need to schedule an assessment for your property in Leicester or Leicestershire, contact us today. 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.