Fuse Board Upgrades in Swindon
Fuse board (consumer unit) replacement and upgrades to bring older Swindon properties up to current safety standards.
Fuse Boards for Swindon Homes
The fuse board — now more accurately called a consumer unit — is the panel that protects every circuit in your home, cutting power automatically if a fault or overload is detected. Older Swindon properties often still have fuse boards fitted with rewireable fuses or early circuit breakers that don't offer the same level of protection as a modern consumer unit.
A modern consumer unit includes RCD (residual current device) protection, which cuts power far faster in the event of a fault, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock and electrical fire.
Fuse board upgrades are one of the most common recommendations to come out of an EICR on older Swindon properties, particularly those with metal-clad consumer units or units installed before 2016 wiring regulation updates.
We survey the existing board and circuits before quoting, since the right replacement depends on the number of circuits, their condition, and the layout of the property.
When to Consider a Fuse Board Upgrade
Old Fuse Wire
A board using rewireable fuse wire rather than modern circuit breakers.
Frequent Trips
Circuits tripping regularly, which can indicate an ageing or overloaded board.
No RCD Protection
A board without RCD protection on socket circuits, a key modern safety feature.
Metal Consumer Unit
Older metal-clad units that pre-date current wiring regulation requirements.
EICR Recommendation
A fuse board flagged as unsatisfactory or in need of improvement on an EICR.
Property Extensions
Extra circuits needed for an extension or renovation, beyond the existing board's capacity.
Fuse Boards — Common Questions
They refer to the same part of the installation — "fuse board" is the older, more common name, while "consumer unit" is the current technical term used in wiring regulations.
Most consumer unit replacements are completed within a day, with a short power interruption while the new unit is connected and tested.
Not necessarily — a new fuse board protects circuits better, but it won't fix a fault in the wiring itself. If there's an existing fault, it's worth having this diagnosed separately, since it may need to be resolved before or alongside the fuse board upgrade.
Yes, an Electrical Installation Certificate is provided confirming the new consumer unit has been installed and tested to current wiring regulations.