Your fuse board (also called a consumer unit) is the heart of your home's electrical system. If you have an old-style fuse board with ceramic fuses, upgrading to a modern consumer unit with MCBs and RCD protection is one of the most important electrical upgrades you can make.
Typical Costs
Fuse board replacement costs in the UK typically range from £500 to £1,500, depending on several factors:
- Standard replacement: £500 – £800
- Consumer unit with RCD: £600 – £1,000
- High-specification unit with RCBO protection: £1,000 – £1,500
Old Ceramic Fuses vs Modern Consumer Units
Old fuse boards use ceramic fuses with wire filaments that melt when there's a fault. While they worked for decades, they have significant limitations:
- Slow reaction – Fuses take longer to trip than modern circuit breakers
- No RCD protection – Old boards don't protect against electric shocks
- Difficult to reset – Blown fuses need replacement
- Doesn't meet current regulations – Modern standards require RCD protection
Modern consumer units feature:
- MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) – Quickly trip when there's a fault
- RCDs (Residual Current Devices) – Protect against electric shocks
- Easy reset – Simply flip the switch back on
- Full regulation compliance – Meets current UK electrical standards
What's Involved in the Upgrade?
A typical fuse board replacement involves:
- Isolating the electrical supply
- Removing the old fuse board
- Installing the new consumer unit
- Wiring all circuits to the new board
- Testing all circuits and safety devices
- Updating earth bonding if required
- Issuing an Electrical Installation Certificate
How Long Does It Take?
Most domestic fuse board replacements take between 4 and 8 hours. A straightforward swap can be done in half a day, while more complex installations with additional circuits may take a full day.
Why Upgrade Your Fuse Board?
You should consider a fuse board upgrade if:
- You have an old-style fuse box with ceramic fuses
- Your current board lacks RCD protection
- You're having other electrical work done
- Your board frequently trips
- You want to add more circuits to your property
- You're selling your home and need to meet electrical regulations
Getting Quotes
Always use a NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician for fuse board work. They will self-certify the work under Part P, so you won't need building control notification. Get at least three quotes and ensure they include testing and certification.