Top Signs You Need a New Consumer Unit (Fuse Box) Installed in Your Enfield Home
Your consumer unit (often referred to as a fuse box) is the heart of your electrical system. It controls all the circuits in your home and protects you from faults, surges, and electrical fires. If your fuse box is outdated or faulty, it could put your safety at risk. At J H Electrical, we specialise in modern consumer unit installations in Enfield that meet the latest UK safety standards.
Here are the top signs it’s time to upgrade your fuse box.
1. You Still Have a Fuse Wire System
If your fuse box uses replaceable fuse wires rather than miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), it’s outdated. Modern consumer units use RCDs and RCBOs for much better protection.
2. No RCD Protection
RCDs (Residual Current Devices) shut off power in milliseconds if a fault is detected. If your board doesn’t have RCDs, you’re missing a critical layer of safety.
3. Scorch Marks or a Burning Smell
Any burning smell, buzzing noise, or scorch marks around your fuse box are urgent signs of electrical overheating – and should be inspected immediately.
4. Tripping Breakers or Flickering Lights
Frequent trips can indicate overload or an outdated consumer unit that can’t handle modern energy usage. An upgrade helps balance your circuits properly.
5. You’re Renovating or Adding Circuits
Planning a kitchen refurb, loft conversion, or electric vehicle charger installation? You’ll need a modern consumer unit that can handle the load safely and legally.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Fuse Box
- Improved fire and shock protection
- Compliance with current 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
- Increased capacity for future expansion
- Smoother operation and fewer nuisance trips
- Peace of mind with NICEIC certification
Get Your Consumer Unit Checked by a Local Enfield Electrician
Not sure if you need an upgrade? Our team at J H Electrical will assess your system and provide honest, affordable recommendations. We carry out full consumer unit installations with testing and certification included.
Book your inspection today and keep your home safe and compliant.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit?
Prices typically start from £450 depending on the size of the property and number of circuits.
How long does the upgrade take?
Most consumer unit replacements can be completed within 4–6 hours, including testing and certification.
Will you provide an electrical certificate?
Yes – all work includes a full Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and NICEIC notification.
Can I upgrade just part of my board?
No – consumer units are replaced in full to ensure safety and compliance with current standards.
Do I need to be home during the upgrade?
We’ll need access to the property, but you can stay on-site while we work. We’ll isolate the power during installation for safety.
