Does My Fuse Box/Consumer Unit Need Upgrading?

Four Key Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Fuse Box

If there’s one subject we get asked about more than any other here at Pulse Electrical, fuse boxes are undoubtedly it. Typically, our customers want to know whether their fuse box needs upgrading and, more often than not, the answer is the same:

If your current box is decades old, shows signs of being a safety hazard, or is insufficient to meet the growing electrical demands of your home, then yes, that may be a good indication that it’s time to upgrade your fuse box.

Here, we offer a more detailed explanation of the four key signs that you and your home could benefit from upgrading to a modern consumer unit.

Is Your Fuse Box Over 25 Years Old?

Old fuse boxes tend to use cartridge-like or rewireable fuses that no longer meet current building regulations. They’re also much more likely to be housed in plastic or wooden cases that are ill-equipped for containing electrical fires. 

That’s to say nothing of the fact that old wiring will gradually wear down, causing further safety hazards which can easily be avoided with a simple upgrade.

Does Your Fuse Box Lacks RCD Protection?

Worn down wiring and unsuitable casing are far from the only reasons why your outdated fuse box may no longer be up to scratch.

Modern consumer units contain a device known as a Residual Current Device. This potentially life-saving technology automatically switches off your electricity at the first sign of a fault, thus offering much-needed protection from electric shocks and electrical fires.

However, it has only been since July 2008 that RCD protection has been required in all new or rewired homes. As such, if your home was built before then and hasn’t had any electrical work done, then there’s a good chance your current fuse box doesn’t have one, making a fuse box upgrade all the more important.