Consumer Unit & Fuse Board
Upgrades in Surrey

Same-Day Completion

NAPIT Registered

Building Regs Certified

Fixed Price — No Extras

RCD & Surge Protection

Your consumer unit — commonly called a fuse board or fuse box — is the heart of your home's electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit and provides critical protection against electrical faults, fire, and electric shock.

If your consumer unit is more than 15–20 years old, still uses rewirable fuses, or lacks RCD protection, it's not providing the level of safety that modern units deliver. An upgrade is one of the most impactful electrical improvements you can make.

At LJK Electrical, we carry out consumer unit upgrades across Surrey — typically completed within a single day. Every installation includes full testing of all circuits and comes with a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

We work with homeowners upgrading for safety, landlords meeting EICR requirements, and property buyers who've been advised that the existing consumer unit needs replacing.

Why an Old Fuse Board Puts You at Risk

Older fuse boards with rewirable fuses (the type with a piece of wire inside a ceramic holder) provide minimal protection. They don't trip fast enough to prevent electric shock, and the wrong rating of fuse wire can allow a dangerous overload to go undetected.

Without RCD (Residual Current Device) protection, your electrical system cannot detect earth leakage faults — the type of fault most likely to cause electric shock or fire. A modern RCD disconnects in under 40 milliseconds. An old rewirable fuse may never disconnect at all.

Consumer units that fail EICR inspections are classified as C2 (potentially dangerous) or even C1 (danger present). For landlords, this means the property cannot legally be let until the issue is resolved. For homeowners, it means your family is at risk.

Older consumer units also lack capacity for modern electrical demands — EV chargers, induction hobs, electric showers, and high-power appliances often require additional circuits that an old board simply cannot accommodate.

We inspect your existing board, assess your circuits, and specify the correct replacement unit. You receive a fixed quote on the spot.

The mains supply is safely isolated. We coordinate with your DNO if a cut-out seal needs to be broken and replaced.

The old board is removed and the new consumer unit is installed with neatly routed and labelled cables. MCBs, RCBOs, and SPDs are fitted to specification.

Every circuit is individually tested: continuity, insulation resistance, earth loop impedance, RCD trip times, and polarity.

You receive a full Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. We walk you through the new board and explain every switch.

Unit Types — We install metal consumer units (now required by the 18th Edition for domestic installations) from Hager, Schneider, and MK. Metal enclosures provide fire containment that plastic units cannot, and they meet the latest Amendment 2 requirements.

RCD vs RCBO Configuration — A standard dual-RCD board splits circuits across two RCD-protected banks. This is cost-effective but means a fault on one circuit can trip other circuits on the same bank. For maximum convenience, we offer full RCBO boards where every circuit has individual protection — a fault on one circuit affects nothing else.

Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) — The 18th Edition Amendment recommends SPDs in domestic installations. These devices protect sensitive electronics (computers, TVs, smart home systems) from voltage spikes caused by lightning or switching surges. We fit Type 2 SPDs as standard.

Main Switch and Isolation — Every new consumer unit includes a 100A main switch (or 80A where the supply dictates). We verify the incoming supply capacity and recommend an upgrade to your DNO if needed.

Circuit Labelling and Documentation — Every circuit is clearly labelled with its function (e.g., 'Kitchen Ring', 'Upstairs Lights', 'Immersion Heater'). You also receive a detailed schedule of circuits as part of your certification.

DNO Seal — In some installations, accessing the meter tails requires breaking the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) seal. We arrange re-sealing as part of the job at no extra charge.

Earthing and Bonding — We check and upgrade main earth bonding and supplementary bonding as part of every consumer unit upgrade. This ensures all metallic services (gas, water, oil) are correctly bonded to the earthing system.

How do I know if I need a consumer unit upgrade?

If your fuse board uses rewirable fuses, has no RCD protection, is over 15–20 years old, or has been flagged on an EICR inspection, it's time for an upgrade.

How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?

Most upgrades are completed in a single day — typically 4–6 hours depending on the number of circuits and the condition of existing wiring.

How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost in Surrey?

Pricing depends on the type of unit (dual-RCD or full RCBO) and the number of circuits. We provide a fixed quote after inspection — no hidden costs.

Will I lose power during the upgrade?

Yes, the power supply is disconnected during installation. We work efficiently to minimise downtime — typically 4–6 hours.

Is a consumer unit upgrade a legal requirement?

It's not always legally required, but if your existing board fails an EICR or you're having other notifiable electrical work done, the consumer unit must meet current standards. Landlords must ensure adequate protection for tenants.

What's the difference between MCBs and RCBOs?

MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) protect against overcurrent. RCBOs combine overcurrent protection with earth leakage detection, giving each circuit individual protection. RCBO boards offer the best convenience and safety.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. Every consumer unit upgrade comes with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

Can you add extra circuits during the upgrade?

Absolutely. If you need additional circuits — for an EV charger, cooker, or extension — we can include them in the same job.