Consumer Unit Upgrades in Beeston, Nottingham and Surrounding Areas

Consumer unit upgrades in Nottingham - RCBO and surge protection fitted as standard.

What Is a Consumer Unit and Why Does It Matter?

A consumer unit, sometimes called a fuse board or distribution board, is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit and houses the protective devices that keep you safe.

Modern consumer units are fitted with RCBOs that monitor every circuit individually and disconnect in milliseconds if a fault is detected. Older fuse boards may not provide this level of protection.

Signs you may need an upgrade:

An older fuse board with fuse wire
No RCD protection on your circuits
Circuits or RCDs tripping regularly
You're installing an EV charger, heat pump, or solar PV system
Your current board is full or has no spare capacity
Signs of overheating, damage, or a burning smell around the board

What’s Included in a Consumer Unit Upgrade

Every consumer unit we install is specified to the same standard — no shortcuts, no budget alternatives.

RCBO-protected consumer unit — every circuit individually protected
Surge Protection Device (SPD) — required under current regulations
Full circuit testing on completion
Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued
Building Regulations notification (Part P) submitted on your behalf

Spare ways can be factored into the specification to accommodate future installations such as EV chargers, solar PV, or heat pumps.

Bonding and Additional Works

Not every installation is straightforward. Depending on the condition and layout of your existing system, the following may be required.

Main Protective Bonding

As part of every consumer unit upgrade, we check the main protective bonding to gas and water services.

Main protective bonding is a critical safety requirement that helps ensure fault currents can safely disconnect under fault conditions.

If you’re unsure what bonding is or why it matters, you can read our guide on earthing and bonding. (body — “guide on earthing and bonding” links to Document “7. Understanding Main Protective Bonding”)

Additional Works

A contractor’s isolator switch is often required between the electricity meter and consumer unit to allow the installation to be safely isolated during works.

These are typically arranged through your energy supplier before the installation date. If you’re unsure what this is, you can read our guide on contractor’s isolator switches.

New meter tails may be required where the existing tails are undersized, damaged, or unsuitable for the upgraded installation.

What Is an RCD and Why Does It Matter?

An RCD (Residual Current Device) is designed to help protect against electric shock.

It monitors the electrical supply and disconnects power extremely quickly if a fault is detected.

Modern consumer units use RCBOs, which combine RCD protection and overload protection on each individual circuit. If you’d like to understand how RCD protection works in more detail, read our RCD Explained Guide.

Testing Your RCDs

RCDs should be tested every 3 months using the TEST button on the consumer unit.

Press the TEST button, the power should disconnect immediately
Reset by switching the device back on

If the device does not trip correctly, this may indicate a fault and should be investigated.

You can also read our RCD Self-Help Guide.

What Does a Consumer Unit Upgrade Cost?

Straightforward consumer unit upgrades start from £850 + VAT.

This is based on a like-for-like replacement in the same position on a standard domestic installation using a modern RCBO consumer unit with surge protection as standard.

All consumer unit upgrades are reviewed before installation to confirm the condition and suitability of the existing electrical installation.

Depending on the property and existing electrical system, additional works may sometimes be required, including:

Main protective bonding upgrades
New meter tails
Contractor’s isolator switch installation
Consumer unit relocation or alteration works
Additional circuit identification or remedial works

Any additional works are explained clearly and agreed in advance before installation begins.

Find out what to look for in an electrician →

Why Choose Us for Your Consumer Unit Upgrade?

A consumer unit upgrade is a safety-critical improvement - getting it right matters.

RCBO protection as standard - no split-load boards
The existing installation assessed to ensure it’s suitable for upgrade
Main earthing and bonding checked, with any upgrades agreed in advance
Clear, straightforward advice on any additional works - no pressure
Full testing, certification, and Building Regulations notification
Designed with future use in mind - EV chargers, solar, and upgrades

If you’re comparing quotes or deciding who to appoint, our “What to Look for in an Electrician” guide explains some of the key things worth checking before making a decision.

Consumer Unit Upgrades — Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?

A straightforward like-for-like consumer unit replacement typically takes between 4 and 6 hours.

During this time, the power to the property will be off for most of the installation while the existing board is removed, the new consumer unit is installed, and all required testing is completed.

We’ll agree access and a suitable start time with you in advance.

Will the power be off all day?

Usually not.

For most standard upgrades, power is restored the same day once installation and testing have been completed.

The electrical supply must remain isolated while we carry out the replacement safely and complete certification testing.

Do I need to do anything before the installation?

In most cases, we simply ask for safe access around the existing consumer unit and meter position.

Where possible, sensitive electronics such as computers, routers, or alarm systems should be shut down before works begin.

If any preparation is required before the installation date, this will be discussed during the survey stage.

Will my circuits all work the same after the upgrade?

Yes – however modern RCBO protection is far more sensitive and responsive than many older consumer units.

In some cases, underlying issues within the existing wiring may only become apparent once the new protective devices are installed. This is the new equipment working correctly – identifying faults that older boards may not have detected.

If any issues arise during testing or after installation, we’ll explain the findings clearly and advise on the next steps.

Read our guide on RCD protection.

What happens if a new RCBO trips after installation?

An RCBO trip usually indicates that the new protective device has detected an issue on the circuit.

This may be caused by:

Existing wiring faults
Damaged accessories
Faulty appliances
Borrowed neutrals or older wiring arrangements

Modern RCBO protection responds far faster and more accurately than older fuse boards.

If this happens, we’ll investigate the cause and advise accordingly.

Read our RCBO/RCD tripping self-help guide.

Will a new consumer unit fix a circuit that keeps tripping?

Not always.

A consumer unit upgrade replaces the protective devices – it does not automatically repair faults within the existing wiring installation.

If circuits are already showing signs of faults, additional investigation or fault finding may still be required.

Where issues are identified during testing, we’ll explain everything clearly before carrying out any additional work.

Do I need an Electrical Safety Inspection (EICR) as well as a consumer unit upgrade?

In many cases, we recommend carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) alongside the consumer unit upgrade.

Our usual approach is to install the new consumer unit first, improving the overall safety of the installation immediately by introducing modern RCBO protection and surge protection as standard.

Once the upgrade has been completed, the EICR can then assess the condition of the existing wiring installation under the new protective devices.

This often provides a clearer and more practical outcome, as some observations commonly identified on older fuse boards may already have been addressed as part of the upgrade works.

Any remaining issues identified during testing or inspection are then clearly explained and categorised within the report.

Will you need to do a survey before the work?

Yes. We survey before every consumer unit upgrade to assess the existing installation, confirm the specification, and identify any additional works that may be required. The survey is no obligation.

What is the difference between a consumer unit upgrade and a rewire?

Yes. We survey before every consumer unit upgrade to assess the existing installation, confirm the specification, and identify any additional works that may be required. The survey is no obligation.

Qualified, Accredited, and Independently Endorsed

Matt holds City & Guilds Level 3 qualifications in electrical installation, inspection and testing, and EV charging – alongside NEBOSH and ILM Level 3 in Leadership and Management. Mashworth Services is NAPIT registered and Which? Trusted Traders endorsed.

LOCAL COVERAGE

Electrician Based in Beeston, Serving the Wider Region Of Nottingham

We are based in Beeston, NG9 and carry out electrical work across Nottingham and the surrounding areas, including West Bridgford, Wollaton, Chilwell, Long Eaton, Stapleford, Ilkeston, Arnold and more.

If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, get in touch – we’re happy to help.

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READY TO UPGRADE?

Upgrade Your Consumer Unit

Get in touch to arrange a no obligation survey in Beeston, Nottingham or the surrounding areas. We’ll assess your existing installation, confirm the specification, and provide a full written quote.

Call 07432 216629 | Email m.ashworth@mashworthservices.co.uk