Why we're replacing this Fusebox
Why is this consumer unit being replaced?
✓ Fire Safety – New fuseboxes are metal and fire-rated, offering better protection in case of a fire. ✓ RCD Protection – Older units may lack RCD protection, or the current RCDs may not meet modern standards. RCDs are vital for preventing electric shock. ✓ Individual RCBOs – Each circuit can have its own RCD protection, so a fault won’t shut off power to other circuits in your property. ✓ Surge Protection – Modern boards can include surge protection to guard sensitive devices from voltage spikes. ✓ Arc Fault Protection – We can offer arc fault protection as part of your upgrade. It’s mandatory in HMOs and high-rise buildings, but can also be a good idea in any home for extra peace of mind. ✓ Room to Expand – Replacing a fully populated board creates space for new circuits, like an EV charger, kitchen upgrade, or garden lighting.
New RCBO Consumer Unit
Buckingham
Getting to know your Fusebox
Your consumer unit (often called a fusebox) is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It keeps everything running safely - and shuts things off fast when there's a problem. They are significantly more sophisticated today compared to the old rewireable fuseboxes of the 60s and 70s so here's a handy guide to each component part:
Main Switch:
The main switch is exactly what it sounds like - the big red switch that controls the entire consumer unit. It lets you turn off all the power in your home in one go.
In the event of a serious fault, fire, flood, or when an electrician is working on the system, this is the switch that you can use to safely shut everything down. It’s also useful if you’re going away for an extended time and want to cut power to the whole property.
It won't trip out on it's own however, that's the job of the rest of the devices listed here.
SPD (Surge Protection Device):
The SPD protects your home from sudden surges in voltage, which can happen during lightning strikes or when there's problems on the power grid.
Without an SPD, these voltage spikes could damage sensitive electronics - like TVs, computers, boilers, or anything plugged in. The SPD safely diverts the excess energy away, helping to avoid expensive damage or replacements.
We install SPDs as standard on all of our boards.
RCD (Residual Current Device):
RCDs are safety switches that constantly monitor the flow of electricity through each circuit. If they sense that electricity is flowing somewhere it shouldn’t be - for example, through water, a damaged wire, or even a person - they cut the power in under a second.
This fast reaction helps prevent life threatening electric shocks and greatly reduces the risk of fire. RCDs are especially important for protecting outdoor circuits, kitchen sockets, and bathrooms - areas where the risk of electric shock is higher.
MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breaker):
MCBs are like smart, resettable fuses. Each one is connected to a different circuit in your home, such as the downstairs sockets, upstairs lights, cooker, or shower.
If a circuit becomes overloaded (too much power being used) or short-circuited (caused by a fault or damaged wiring), the MCB will automatically trip — switching off just that specific circuit to prevent overheating, fire, or damage.
Unlike older fuseboxes that used wire fuses (which had to be replaced when they blew), MCBs can simply be reset after the fault is resolved, making them much more convenient and safer.
RCBOs (combined RCD & MCB):
RCBOs are clever devices that combine the jobs of an RCD and an MCB into a single unit. That means they protect you from electric shocks (earth leakage) and protect your wiring from overloads and short circuits - all in one go. You can tell an RCBO apart from the MCB by the little test button.
Each RCBO is connected to a single circuit (like your kitchen sockets or upstairs lighting), so if something goes wrong, only that circuit trips, not the whole house. This helps keep your power on in other areas and makes it easier to pinpoint problems.
As such, we tend to install RCBOs as standard these days.
AFDDs (Arc fault detection):
AFDDs are the latest safety technology in modern fuseboxes. They detect arc faults - small, hidden electrical sparks that can happen when a cable is damaged, loose, or degraded.
These tiny arcs often go unnoticed but can lead to serious fires, especially in older wiring or properties with wear and tear.
AFDDs constantly monitor for these conditions and will shut off power before a fire has a chance to start. They’re especially useful in bedrooms, consumer units near combustible materials, or circuits feeding vulnerable areas. And they are now mandatory in some types of property.
What to Expect on the Day
✓ We'll unload our dust sheets, tools and materials and talk you through the plan for the day. ✓ After a little prep work, we'll turn off the power to begin dismantling the old board safely. ✓ The power will be off for several hours - but don’t worry, fridges and freezers will stay cold. ✓ We'll carry out dead tests on your circuits to ensure they're safe and to check for any existing faults. ✓ Once the new fusebox is installed, we'll identify and label each circuit clearly and accurately. ✓ We'll switch the power back on, hoover and tidy the area so everything is left spotless. ✓ We'll perform final live tests to confirm everything is working as it should. ✓ Finally, we’ll show you the new board and explain how everything works.
Timelapse Install
Getting to Know Your New Fusebox
New Fusebox: Key Features
In this video, we’ll walk you through the key features of a modern consumer unit (fusebox) - from RCBOs and surge protection to proper circuit labelling and fire-rated enclosures. We’ll explain what each part does in plain English, why it matters for your safety, and how a new fusebox can bring your home up to current standards. Whether you're a homeowner or just curious, this is a great way to understand what’s been installed in your property.
Frequently asked questions
Wolverton
Request a Quote
It's really easy to get in contact with us for a quote, just fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you ASAP.
Remember to give us as much detail as possible, typically for a fusebox replacement we need to see pictures of the current fusebox, the meter cupboard and any earth bonding on the gas and water (a green and yellow cable clamped to the pipes).