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At Bluerock Electrical we have 20 years of experience and we have changed a lot of Consumer Units!
We understand that no one wants their supply switched off for more than absolutely necessary and so we will organise around you as far as possible.
There are different solutions depending on your needs and your budget and we pride ourselves on giving you the best possible advice even if that sometimes means you don't need to do anything!
Consumer Unit or Fusebox?
Back in the day what we now refer to as Consumer Units were called Fuse Boxes simply because they contained fuses. Fuses have largely been replaced with MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers).
Is there anything wrong with fuses?
Not necessarily! It's a common misconception that fuses do not meet regulations and must be replaced but that is not always the case. MCBs are easier to use though as they can be reset rather than replaced when they blow. We will always give you the best advice at Bluerock so you'll come away with the best solution for your safety and your pocket.
What is the process for a consumer unit change?
1. Either by sending us photographs or by us visiting we will provide a written estimate. If this is accepted the next stage is to agree a date for the work.
2. On the day before the actual job starts we will test the installation.
Why is this?
When any electrical work is carried out the circuit in question must be tested, otherwise we might work on a dangerous circuit, and leave it equally dangerous when finished. So we have to test the existing work and then our work too. When this procedure is applied to a consumer unit change it becomes clear we have to test all the circuits we are going to work on before we start. This also means we might find faults that need repair before we energise the new consumer unit, but the sooner we know about this the better.
3. We change the Consumer Unit.
4. We test the new consumer unit and advise on any of the repairs as mentioned above. Sometimes we will be able to include these on the day, and other times they will need to be scheduled for another date.
5. We issue a certificate for the work we have done. This will include a full description of the job plus all the test results and advisories. For certain larger jobs it is necessary to register the work with the local council in the Building Control Department. Once this is done the insurance backed warranty for the work will be in place for your peace of mind, even if we were to cease trading.
Why might you need a new consumer unit?
The reason might be as simple as you need a new circuit but there isn't enough space in the Consumer Unit.
Also, when a new circuit is fitted it needs to meet the most up-to-date regs. This means a) a Type A RCD and b) a SPD
What's an RCD?
RCD stands for Residual Current Device. In a nutshell, they protect you from electric shock, whereas MCBs and Fuses principally protect against fire.
The older RCD type is AC but we now use type A as a minimal requirement. This is because type AC can stop working properly when it encounters DC current from, for example, a car charger.
What's an SPD?
SPD stands for Surge Protection Device, and all new circuits need them unless you provide a written declaration stating you do not want it to be fitted.
What do they do? Surges in electricity can happen due to network issues, or due to atmospheric conditions such as lightning. Mostly these are rare and wouldn't cause damage. However, with today's sophisticated and delicate electronics in so many of our appliances the damage caused by such a surge could be significant and very expensive! Think of a new Tesla for example...
If we don't fit one then we would be liable for the damage or loss of data, so that's why if you don't want one you have to say so in writing, but then you will be liable for any costs.
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