Bringing several old consumer units into one modern installation.
A recent job at a special needs care home in Amington in Tamworth showed exactly why replacing a consumer unit sometimes involves much more than simply swapping one box for another.
Over the years, the electrical installation at the home had been extended several times. New circuits and additional consumer units had been added as the building developed. By the time I attended, there were boards of different ages and standards spread around a large hall cupboard.
Some were close to the ceiling and needed a ladder to reach them. Others were squeezed near the meter and main fuse at floor level. Several circuits had no RCD protection, and cables were hanging loose without suitable support or protection.
This is the sort of installation where I recommend an EICR or Electrical Condition Report before a consumer unit upgrade. When several people have altered an installation over many years, testing gives us a much clearer picture of what is actually there and whether existing faults need dealing with first.
Moving everything into the new consumer unit
We removed the existing consumer units and extended cables where required using appropriate cable sizes. We also installed containment so the cables could run safely and securely to the position of the new consumer unit.
The replacement board includes a main switch and surge protection device. Each circuit has its own RCBO, which provides residual current protection and overload protection for that individual circuit.
One advantage of separate RCBO protection is that a fault on one circuit does not unnecessarily disconnect several other circuits, which could happen with older arrangements where several circuits shared one RCD.
Where practical, I also allow three or four spare ways in a replacement consumer unit so additional circuits can be added later without immediately needing another board.
We have completed consumer unit upgrades on small and large electrical installations throughout Tamworth and the surrounding areas, and older installations regularly need more preparation than homeowners expect.
Original installation:
New installation:
Do I need an EICR before replacing my fuseboard?
I recommend an EICR prior to replacement. Testing before the upgrade can identify insulation resistance problems, damaged wiring, incorrect alterations or other defects that could become apparent when circuits are connected to modern protective devices.
If remedial work is required, you should know what needs repairing and what it will cost before additional work starts.
Consumer unit upgrades in Tamworth
I hold a C&G NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installations, am NAPIT registered, and Tamworth Electricians has received more than 90 5 star customer reviews.
If you have an ageing fuseboard, several old consumer units or electrical problems that need sorting out, call me and I can advise on the most appropriate next step. Sometimes that is a new consumer unit. Sometimes testing first saves you from making the wrong decision.
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