Consumer Unit Upgrade: When You Need One, EICRs & Other Electrical Work Explained

Modern metal consumer unit and fuseboard inside a clean domestic utility cupboard

Electrical systems require regular attention to remain safe, reliable and suitable for modern use. Older homes may still have rewireable fuses, limited circuit protection or a consumer unit that cannot support new electrical installations.

Plumbex UK Ltd is developing its electrical services for homeowners, landlords and property managers. Planned services include consumer unit upgrades, EICRs, emergency call outs, electric fault finding, new installations, rewiring and related electrical works.

Electrical work should be assessed and completed by an appropriately qualified electrician. This article explains the main services and when they may be required.

What Is a Consumer Unit?

A consumer unit is the main distribution and protection point for a property’s electrical circuits. It is also commonly called a:

  • Fuseboard
  • Fuse box
  • Consumer board
  • Distribution board

The unit normally contains a main switch and protective devices for individual circuits, such as sockets, lighting, cookers, showers and outbuildings.

Modern consumer units may include:

  • Circuit breakers
  • RCD protection
  • RCBO devices
  • Surge protection
  • Arc fault protection, where appropriate
  • Clearly labelled circuits
  • A metal or other suitable non-combustible enclosure

The Institution of Engineering and Technology guidance on consumer units provides further information about their purpose and safety features.

When Is a Consumer Unit Upgrade Needed?

An old fuseboard does not automatically require replacement simply because of its age. However, an upgrade may be recommended or required where the existing unit is damaged, unsuitable or unable to provide the protection needed for current electrical work.

Common reasons for a consumer unit upgrade include:

The board has visible damage

Signs of a problem may include:

  • Burning smells
  • Scorch marks
  • Melted plastic
  • Excessive heat
  • Loose components
  • Cracked covers
  • Exposed live parts
  • Repeated tripping

If smoke, burning or severe overheating is present, the area should not be touched. If safe to do so, isolate the supply and contact an emergency electrical service.

The unit has no modern RCD protection

An RCD is designed to disconnect the electrical supply when it detects an imbalance, such as current flowing through an unintended path. This can help reduce the risk of electric shock.

Older fuseboards may have no RCD protection or may provide limited protection across the installation. A modern replacement may provide RCD or RCBO protection, depending on the design and testing requirements.

The property still uses rewireable fuses

Rewireable fuses are an older form of protection. They may not provide the same level of convenience and protection as modern circuit breakers and RCBOs.

Replacement may be considered during an EICR, renovation, extension, rewiring project or new electrical installation.

The existing board cannot support new work

A consumer unit upgrade may be needed when adding:

  • New socket circuits
  • Electric showers
  • Ovens or cookers
  • Garden buildings
  • Extensions
  • Electric vehicle chargers
  • Additional heating systems
  • Larger electrical loads

The existing board must be suitable for the proposed work. New circuits should not simply be connected to an unsuitable or overloaded fuseboard.

An EICR identifies safety defects

An Electrical Installation Condition Report may identify issues with the consumer unit or the wider electrical installation. Defects are normally recorded using classifications such as:

  • C1: Danger present
  • C2: Potentially dangerous
  • C3: Improvement recommended

C1 and C2 issues require urgent attention. In some cases, the correct solution may involve a consumer unit exchange or wider remedial works.

Electrician using an electrical tester during a domestic inspection

What Is an EICR?

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It involves inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in a property.

An EICR may examine:

  • Consumer unit condition
  • Wiring
  • Earthing and bonding
  • Socket outlets
  • Light fittings
  • Circuit protection
  • Signs of overheating
  • Previous alterations
  • Damage or deterioration
  • Safety of accessible electrical equipment

An EICR is not the same as a certificate for new installation work. It is a condition report on an existing installation.

EICRs for homeowners

Homeowners may arrange an EICR when:

  • Moving into an older property
  • Buying or selling a house
  • Planning a renovation
  • Investigating repeated electrical faults
  • Preparing for a consumer unit upgrade
  • Checking electrical safety after previous DIY work

The IET states that domestic electrical installations should generally be inspected at intervals appropriate to their condition and use. The interval may be shorter where an installation is older, exposed to damp or has known defects.

EICRs for landlords

Landlords should arrange regular electrical inspection and testing in rented properties. Private rented properties in England are generally subject to electrical safety requirements, including periodic inspection at least every five years, or sooner where the report requires it.

Landlords should retain the report and complete required remedial work within the applicable timescale. An unsatisfactory EICR should not be ignored.

Plumbex UK Ltd can support landlords and property managers by helping identify the appropriate electrical inspection and remedial work required for a property.

Emergency Electrical Call Outs

Electrical emergencies can occur without warning. Common examples include:

  • Complete loss of power
  • Burning smells from a fuseboard
  • Sparks from a socket
  • Smoke from electrical equipment
  • Repeated tripping
  • Partial power loss
  • Damaged cables
  • Water near electrical equipment
  • A suspected electric fault after building work

Safety should be the first priority. Do not remove covers, handle exposed wiring or repeatedly reset a tripping device.

Where safe, unplug affected appliances and isolate the circuit or main supply. If there is fire, smoke or immediate danger, leave the property and contact the emergency services.

An electrician can inspect the immediate problem, isolate dangerous circuits and identify whether further testing or repair is required.

Electrical Fault Finding

Electrical fault finding is the process of locating the cause of a problem rather than replacing components without testing.

Possible causes of an electric fault include:

  • Faulty appliances
  • Damaged cables
  • Loose connections
  • Water ingress
  • Poor previous alterations
  • Overloaded circuits
  • Insulation breakdown
  • Faulty sockets or switches
  • Problems within the consumer unit

A circuit that repeatedly trips may be reacting correctly to a fault. Repeatedly resetting the breaker can create additional risk or damage the protective device.

During fault finding, an electrician may inspect the consumer unit, test individual circuits and disconnect affected equipment. Further testing may be required where the fault is intermittent or hidden within walls, floors or ceilings.

Electrician inspecting a domestic electrical installation during an EICR

New Electrical Installations

New electrical installations may be required during construction, renovation or property improvements.

Examples include:

  • New lighting points
  • Additional sockets
  • Kitchen electrical installations
  • Bathroom electrical work
  • Outdoor supplies
  • Garage and outbuilding circuits
  • Extractor fans
  • Electric heating
  • Appliance supplies
  • Extension wiring
  • New consumer unit circuits

New work must be correctly designed, installed, tested and documented. The installation should be suitable for the intended load and coordinated with other building services.

Where work affects a consumer unit, new circuits or the main electrical installation, the appropriate electrical certification and notification requirements should be considered before work begins.

Rewiring Services

Rewiring may be full or partial.

A full rewire generally involves replacing most or all of the fixed wiring in a property. A partial rewire may address specific circuits, rooms or areas affected by damage, renovation or previous unsafe work.

Rewiring may be considered where:

  • Wiring is very old
  • Cables are damaged or deteriorating
  • There are signs of overheating
  • Circuits are regularly overloaded
  • Previous alterations are unsafe
  • The property is undergoing major refurbishment
  • An EICR identifies serious defects
  • New circuits cannot be safely added

Rewiring is normally planned in stages. The work may involve access behind walls, floors, ceilings and fixtures, so coordination with building and refurbishment works is important.

Tidy cables and new electrical back boxes during a domestic rewiring project

Other Electrical Works

Electrical services may also include:

  • Socket and switch replacement
  • Lighting repairs
  • Indoor and outdoor lighting
  • Cooker and appliance connections
  • Extractor fan installations
  • Testing after alterations
  • Remedial work following an EICR
  • Electrical work for extensions and refurbishments
  • Circuit upgrades
  • Smoke and heat alarm installations
  • Investigation of intermittent faults

The exact service available will depend on the property, the required work and the applicable safety requirements.

Choosing a Safe Electrical Contractor

Electrical work should not be based only on speed or appearance. A suitable contractor should:

  • Assess the installation before starting
  • Explain the work required
  • Use appropriate testing equipment
  • Follow current wiring requirements
  • Provide relevant certification
  • Identify unsafe conditions
  • Avoid unnecessary replacement work
  • Keep circuits and labels organised
  • Complete testing after installation

Whether you search for an “electritian” or an electrician, the same principle applies: fixed electrical work should be assessed and carried out by a competent professional.

Plumbex UK Ltd is preparing electrical services for homeowners, landlords and property managers. Services will include consumer unit upgrades and exchanges, EICRs, emergency call outs, fault finding, new installations, rewiring and other electrical works.

Contact Plumbex UK Ltd for electrical service information and future updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an old fuseboard always need to be replaced?

No. Age alone does not automatically mean that a consumer unit must be exchanged. Its condition, protective devices, wiring and suitability for the property should be assessed by an electrician.

Is an EICR the same as a consumer unit upgrade?

No. An EICR inspects and tests an existing electrical installation. A consumer unit upgrade is installation or remedial work. An EICR may identify the need for an upgrade.

Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

The cause may be a faulty appliance, damaged wiring, moisture, overloading or another electric fault. Unplug affected appliances if safe and seek professional fault finding if the problem continues.

Can new circuits be added to an existing fuseboard?

Possibly, but the existing board must be suitable for the work and provide the required protection. An electrician should assess the installation before adding new circuits.

Is rewiring necessary in every older property?

No. The condition of the wiring and the results of inspection and testing should determine whether rewiring is required. Some properties may need a partial rewire rather than a full rewire.