An old board, sometimes called a fuse box or a consumer unit, with ceramic rewireable fuses, no RCDs at all, or one that trips constantly whenever the kettle and the air conditioner happen to run together. If your board has no test button on it, it almost certainly predates protections that are now considered standard, and it’s worth having checked even if nothing has actually failed yet.
Why this comes up
A board that’s simply reached the end of its safe working life.
Renovating or adding circuits that the existing board doesn’t have capacity for.
A safety inspection or insurance requirement flagging the board as non-compliant.
Buying a property with an old board no one has ever upgraded.
A previous electrician flagging the board during unrelated work.
Wanting to future-proof the property for an EV charger, solar, or a battery system.
How we handle it
Test the existing installation first, since a new board on faulty wiring will simply keep tripping.
Agree the circuit schedule and any remedial work needed before starting.
Fit a new board with RCBO protection on each individual circuit.
Discuss any future additions, like solar or an EV charger, so the new board has capacity rather than needing upgrading again.
Full test, certification, and compliance paperwork handed over at completion.
What to expect
Usually a full day with the power off for most of it, so it’s worth planning around that. We’ll tell you beforehand if pre-existing faults are likely to surface once RCDs are actually in place and doing their job. For occupied homes we’ll agree a schedule that minimises disruption, and for vacant or renovation properties we can often work more freely through the day.
What it costs
Driven mainly by circuit count and whether any remedial work is needed on top of the board itself. The test comes first so the quote reflects your actual board, not a generic estimate. Where the existing wiring is in good condition the job is more straightforward than where remedial work is also needed, and we’ll always separate those two costs clearly in the quote.
Common questions
Why did my new board start tripping?
It did not create a fault, it revealed one. Old boards had no RCD, so small earth leakage went unnoticed for years until now.
Do I legally need RCDs?
New and altered circuits must have them, and a board without them will fail a safety inspection.
How long will the power be off?
Most of the day for a full board replacement. We’ll agree a time that works and keep disruption to a minimum.
Can I stay in the house during the upgrade?
Yes, though you’ll be without power for stretches during the day. Worth planning around that if you work from home.
Will my insurance ask about this?
Some insurers do ask about consumer unit age and RCDs, particularly on older properties, so it’s worth having current documentation either way.
Can I add solar or a battery later if the board is upgraded now?
Yes, that’s exactly the kind of future-proofing worth discussing at quote stage so the new board has the capacity ready.
Will upgrading the board affect my home insurance?
It generally helps rather than hurts, since an up-to-date board with proper RCDs is what most insurers want to see on an older property.