- March 5, 2025
- Residential Services
A consumer unit is also known as a fuse box and is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It controls the flow of electricity to different circuits and helps protect you from electrical faults. Over time, consumer units can become outdated, unsafe, or insufficient for your household’s needs.
Signs that you need a new consumer unit
If you pay an electrician to undertake an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) test, the report will detail if you need upgrades to your consumer unit or a new one installed. However, without this test, there are signs that you should be aware of.
Old Components
The most obvious sign is an old fuseboard that doesn’t meet modern safety standards. A very old fuse box may have a wooden back or may be contained in a metal box. If your fuse box is this old, you should get it replaced with a new consumer unit as soon as possible.
Frequent Electrical Issues
Flickering lights, sockets not working, burning smells at switches and sockets, and frequent tripping of breakers are all signs that you should call an electrician. They will be able to identify and fix the issue. It may not be the consumer unit, but they will tell you if it needs any upgrades.
Additional Load
Nowadays, we use a lot of electricity at home. Our appliances may be more energy efficient but we have many more of them. If you have recently converted your loft or built an extension you are likely to need an upgrade to your consumer unit.
5 Benefits of an upgraded or new consumer unit
Taking care of your home’s electrical system does have its benefits. An upgraded or new consumer unit will provide your home with the following benefits:
- Improved Safety
One of the main reasons to upgrade your consumer unit is safety. Older fuse boxes often lack essential safety features that modern consumer units have. Newer units include Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs), which offer better protection against electric shocks and fires. If your current fuse box only has traditional wire fuses, it may not provide the level of safety required in modern homes.
- Compliance with Electrical Regulations
Electrical safety regulations are updated regularly to improve household protection. If your consumer unit is old, it may no longer comply with the latest British Standards (such as BS 7671). Upgrading your consumer unit ensures that your home meets current safety standards, which is especially important if you plan to sell your property or rent it out.
- Protection Against Electrical Faults
A modern consumer unit is designed to detect and respond quickly to electrical faults. It can prevent issues such as short circuits, overloads, and earth faults which can cause serious damage to your home’s electrical system. Older fuse boxes may not react as swiftly, increasing the risk of fire or electrical failure.
- Increased Capacity for Modern Appliances
With the increasing number of electrical devices in homes today, older consumer units may struggle to keep up with demand. If you are frequently experiencing tripped circuits or flickering lights, it could indicate that your system is overloaded. Upgrading your consumer unit allows for better distribution of electricity and ensures your household appliances function efficiently and safely.
- Essential for Home Renovations and Extensions
If you are planning to extend your home, install a new kitchen, or add features like an electric shower or EV charger, your existing consumer unit may not have the capacity to handle the additional load. A new consumer unit can accommodate extra circuits, making your electrical system more robust and adaptable to future needs.
Consumer Unit Advice in Edinburgh and the Lothians
If you aren’t sure about the condition of your consumer unit it is best to speak to a fully-qualified electrician. If you are located in Edinburgh or the Lothians, the electricians at Energize Electrical can provide advice on your home electrics. They offer a full range of electrical services that includes EICR tests, consumer unit replacements and upgrades, and electrical repairs and rewiring.