Fuse Box Upgrade

Your fuse box controls the flow of electricity in your home, cutting it off in the event of a fault to protect you from fire and electrical damage. A fuse box upgrade is overdue if your home has an older style fuse box featuring manual fuses and wire. A more modern consumer unit is the upgrade to the outdated fuse box. A consumer unit is safer, easier to use and complies with building regulations. If you need a fuse box upgrade in the Warrington area, Stressless Electrics have the expertise you need.

Fuse Box or Consumer Unit?

When looking at information regarding fuse box upgrades you will come across the term consumer unit. Confusingly, they are often used interchangeably. Are you unsure which you currently have in your home? Here is a summary of the differences and similarities between the two.

Fuse Box: A fuse box is a term most people recognise. Most homeowners know where to find it and what to do in the event of a fuse blowing or tripping. A fuse box will feature fuses that melt in the event of a fault to cut the power. To regain power the fuse wire within must be replaced. It can be a fiddly task – especially in the dark! As a fuse box relies upon the wire burning out before the power is cut, the risk of electrical fire is much higher than with a consumer unit.

Consumer Unit: A consumer unit is the new, upgraded and far safer version of a fuse box. It has individual switches known as circuit breakers for each area in your home. A consumer unit can instantly cut the power when it detects a fault. To restore the power, it is simply a matter of flipping the relevant switch back to the on position. This also makes it much easier to identify the source of the fault as you can see immediately in which area the fault lies.  

Why do I need a Fuse Box Upgrade?

Generally, a fuse box upgrade is performed because of the age of the fuse box and concerns about its safety. An up-to-date fuse box will keep you and your property safe. It will also meet all current regulations; this is especially important for landlords to consider.  

You may also need to upgrade your fuse box or existing consumer unit if you require a larger capacity board. If you are adding to your home with a new extension, installing an EV charger or upgrading your kitchen tech, you may find you have outgrown your existing consumer unit.  

When upgrading your fuse box or consumer unit, your electrician will ask questions about any future plans you may have. They will use this information to recommend the right consumer unit for you and ensure it is more than adequate for your usage.  

Do I need an Electrician to upgrade my Fuse Box?

The short answer to this is Yes! Only a qualified and competent electrician can perform a fuse box upgrade due to the dangers present. During the installation they will be working to keep you and your property safe. They will perform safety checks on your existing cabling and earth bonding and will, if necessary, upgrade these. Your electrician will test the installation to ensure it is compliant with Part P regulations and submit notification to your local council building control office. They will also provide you with a NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate.

If you are based in Warrington or the surrounding area, Stressless Electrics are your local, reliable fuse box upgrade electrician. We are fully qualified, NICEIC registered and have a wealth of experience in fuse box upgrades. Call us today to arrange your fuse box upgrade.