Consumer unit upgrades in Fleet & Hampshire.
Old plastic fuseboard? Rewireable fuses? No RCD protection? JSC Electrical replaces tired consumer units with modern metal-clad boards — fitted neatly, fully tested, and signed off with a certificate.
Quick answers
When should a consumer unit be upgraded?
A consumer unit (fuseboard) should be upgraded if it has rewireable wire fuses, no RCD trip protection, an old plastic enclosure, or has failed an EICR on consumer-unit-related items.
It's also worth upgrading if the board lacks capacity for new circuits — for example, a planned kitchen, extension, EV charger, heat pump or solar installation. Modern metal-clad boards bring the installation up to current BS 7671 standards and add proper RCD or RCBO protection per circuit.
When should you upgrade?
If your fuseboard has rewireable fuses, a plastic enclosure, or no RCD trip protection, an upgrade is worth thinking about. Older boards don't offer the same level of personal protection from electric shock or fire as modern units.
Email a photo of your current board and we can usually tell you whether an upgrade is sensible — and roughly what it'll cost — before any visit.
If you're getting repeated tripping you can't pin down, the issue may be on one of the circuits rather than the board itself — fault finding can help identify the root cause before deciding if a full upgrade is the right answer.
Signs you may need a new consumer unit
- Rewireable wire fuses (no plastic miniature circuit breakers)
- Old plastic enclosure (post-2016 domestic boards should be metal)
- No RCD protection — nothing trips when there's a fault to earth
- Frequent nuisance tripping you can't pin down
- Failed an EICR on consumer-unit-related items
- Planning a kitchen, extension, EV charger or solar — board may need more capacity
What we fit
- Metal-clad consumer units to current BS 7671 standard
- RCBO boards (individual protection per circuit) on request — recommended where budget allows
- Type A RCDs as standard
- Surge protection (SPD) where appropriate
- Main switch isolator labelling and circuit chart filled out neatly
From first call to new board fitted
What happens after you get in touch about a consumer unit upgrade?
A photo or short visit, a written quote, then a booked date — usually one day on site.
You'll either email a photo of the existing board for an indicative price, or we'll arrange a short visit to check the supply, the existing board and any obvious circuit issues before quoting in writing. Once the quote is accepted, a date is booked with a realistic estimate of how long the power will be off (usually a few hours during the changeover). On the day, the old board is removed, the new metal-clad board fitted and labelled, every circuit tested, and you'll be issued an Installation Certificate for your records.
Survey
Quick check of your existing board and any obvious circuit issues.
Clear written quote
Clear written quote covering board, labour, certificate and disposal.
Install & test
Old board removed, new one fitted, every circuit tested.
Certificate
Installation certificate issued and circuit chart filled in.
Common questions
How long will the power be off for?
Typically a few hours during the changeover itself. The exact timing depends on circuit count and access — you'll have an estimate before the day.
Will my old appliances still work?
In nearly all cases, yes. Modern RCD protection sometimes flags pre-existing faults in older appliances or wiring — if that happens we'll show you exactly which circuit is causing it.
RCBO board vs dual-RCD — which is better?
RCBO gives individual protection per circuit, so one fault doesn't take out half the house. Dual-RCD is cheaper but groups circuits together. We'll talk you through both options at quoting stage.
Is a fuseboard upgrade notifiable?
Yes — consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P. The appropriate certificate is provided for your records on completion.
Can you fit surge protection (SPD)?
Yes — surge protection can be fitted to most new boards. We'll cost it as an option in the quote.
Hampshire & the Surrey border
Thinking about a new fuseboard?
Send photos by email for a quick indicative price before any visit.