Here at Allied Electrical Services in Bristol we carry out consumer unit replacements on a regular basis. Over our 25 years in business, we have been asked many questions about consumer units, how they work and when they should be replaced. Our expert electricians have put together the most frequently asked questions - and their answers, in this blog post .
What does a consumer unit do?
Your consumer unit is a vital part of your Bristol home and is the control centre for your electrical installation. It may also be referred to as a fuseboard, fusebox or distribution board. You will find a consumer unit installed (in one of its many forms) in every electrified building in the UK. Your consumer unit controls the distribution of power to the various circuits in your home. It also protects you and your Bristol home from the dangers of electrical shock and fire in the event of a fault. When a consumer unit is too old, or if it has been damaged, you will need a consumer unit replacement to keep everything running safely and efficiently.
What’s the difference between a fusebox and a consumer unit?
A fusebox or fuseboard is the older name used for the for what is now known as a consumer unit. A fusebox is known by that name because it contained physical fuses. A consumer unit instead contains MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) which perform the same essential function as the old fuses. MCBs are much quicker to react in the event of a fault. Restoring the power is a simple matter of flipping the switch unlike old style fuses that needed to be removed and rewired. A fusebox is now considered to be out of date and provides less effective protection. If your Bristol home has an old style fusebox then it is highly recommended that you arrange for a consumer unit replacement.
What are the main parts of a consumer unit?
If you look at an up-to-date consumer unit you will see a long row of small switches, each with a different purpose.
• The largest, most noticeable switch is your Main Switch. This controls the electricity supply for you whole home. Switching it off cuts off all the power.
• The second thing you will see is your RCDs (Residual Current Device). These switches protect against electric shocks and electrical fires when damage occurs to your wiring. They detect leaking current and react in milliseconds to cut the power before an electric shock can occur. You may have one or two RCDs in your consumer unit.
• The remaining small switches, and indeed the majority of those you can see, will be MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breaker). Their job is to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overcurrent events. They prevent electrical wires from overheating by cutting off the electricity as soon as a fault is detected. There will be one MCB for each electrical circuit in your Bristol home such as upstairs lights, downstairs sockets.
When does a consumer unit need to be replaced?
If you are unsure how to tell if you need a consumer unit replacement at you Bristol home, there are a few things you can check yourself before you call in your local electrician. Firstly, do you know how old your consumer unit is? If it is more than 20 years old, it is likely to need some expert attention as it is nearing the end of its lifespan. Secondly, how are your electrics behaving – are you having any issues such as flickering lights or buzzing sockets? If you are experiencing issues, that is a good indicator that you need to call in your electrician. Thirdly, are you planning on adding any electrical devices to your home - such as an EV charger? If so, you may need to replace your consumer unit with one with greater capacity to handle the increased power demands.
If for any reason you are unsure of the condition of your consumer unit you should call in your local electrician to carry out an electrical inspection. They will advise you if you need to consider an consumer unit replacement and can talk you through your options.
Can I replace my consumer unit myself?
A consumer unit replacement at your Bristol home should only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. This is a legal requirement as a consumer unit replacement is a notifiable activity under Part P of the Building Regulations. Aside from the legal ramifications, attempting to undertake such a large and difficult task yourself could leave you and your family in danger should you not complete the job correctly. It is far safer to call in your local, qualified electrician who will complete the job safely, swiftly and in accordance with the law.
Consumer Unit Replacement in Bristol
If you are searching for an electrician to carry out a consumer unit replacement at your Bristol home, look no further than Allied Electrical Services. We your local, highly experienced electrician in Bristol. Our electricians are all fully qualified, NICEIC registered professionals who take great pride in the top-quality service they provide. If you would like to learn more about consumer unit replacement, contact our friendly team today.
