Domestic electrical services
Consumer Unit Replacement in Woking
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- NICEIC Approved
Your home's electrical supply
What a consumer unit does.
The consumer unit distributes electricity to circuits serving lighting, sockets and other equipment. Its protective devices are selected to help disconnect the supply when certain faults occur. Older installations are often referred to as fuse boards.
A replacement consumer unit needs to be considered alongside the circuits it serves. Our domestic electrical services include inspection and assessment to discuss the appropriate work for your home.
Our consumer unit installation article explains the role of the equipment and the installation process.
Reasons for assessment
A concern calls for investigation first.
A fault or an older board does not automatically mean a complete replacement. These are reasons to discuss the condition and suitability of your installation.
- Repeated tripping or loss of power
- These symptoms need investigation. The cause could be an appliance, wiring or a protective device; they do not establish that the whole consumer unit needs replacing.
- Damage or concerns in an inspection report
- Visible damage or an electrical inspection identifying a problem warrants professional assessment. Share the findings when discussing the work.
- Changes to your home
- Additional circuits or equipment may prompt a review of the existing board and protection. The condition and suitability of the installation should inform any proposed upgrade.
Modern protection
Understanding RCDs and RCBOs.
RCDs provide residual-current protection, designed to disconnect the supply when an imbalance indicates current taking an unintended path. RCBOs combine residual-current and overcurrent protection for individual circuits. The appropriate arrangement depends on the installation.
An RCD that trips needs its cause investigated. Replacing a fuse or protective device, where appropriate and compatible, is a different decision from replacing an entire board. You can read more about board types in our fuse boards article.
Inspection before an upgrade
The existing circuits, connections and earthing arrangements influence whether and how a replacement can proceed. A new board does not repair faults elsewhere in the installation. Any issues found and necessary additional work should be discussed before the scope is agreed.
For an independent overview of protective devices and replacement considerations, see the IET's consumer unit guidance.
The replacement process
Assessment, installation and documented checks.
Assess before recommending
We discuss your concerns, existing reports and planned changes, then assess the installation. This includes considering existing circuits and the earthing and bonding arrangements relevant to the work.
Agree the scope
Discuss the proposed consumer unit, protective devices and any additional work identified. Plan access and the interruption to the electrical supply before the appointment.
Replace and test
The agreed replacement is fitted and the affected installation is inspected and tested. Findings that need further work should be explained rather than assumed to be resolved by a new board.
Provide the documentation
The completed replacement should be documented in an Electrical Installation Certificate with the relevant inspection and test records. The Building Regulations notification route should also be agreed.
Budget and scope
What affects consumer unit replacement cost?
- Board and protective devices
- The number of circuits, appropriate protective devices and capacity required affect the equipment and work involved.
- Existing installation
- Inspection may identify circuit faults or earthing and bonding work that needs attention. The proposed scope should explain these separately.
- Position, access and testing
- Keeping a similar location or changing the arrangement can involve different work. Access, inspection, testing and documentation also contribute to the quote.
Certification and notification
Consumer unit replacement certification should record the completed work and relevant inspection and test results in an Electrical Installation Certificate. Keep this with your home's electrical records.
In England, replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Building Regulations. The notification arrangements should be agreed before work begins. Approved Document P explains the requirements; notification and electrical installation certification are separate matters.
We serve residential customers in Woking and within five miles. Contact GU Services with your postcode and concerns, or explore our other home services.
Considering a consumer unit upgrade?
Include your postcode, the concerns with your existing board and any inspection findings in your message. You can also call the team to discuss the proposed work.
07761 472337Before you enquire
Consumer unit questions
Does every older fuse board need replacing?
No. Age and appearance alone do not establish that replacement is necessary. An electrician should assess the condition of the installation, existing protection and any proposed changes before recommending work.
Does a blown fuse or an RCD fault mean I need a new consumer unit?
Not automatically. A fault in an appliance, circuit or protective device needs investigation. Whether a device can be replaced or a wider upgrade is appropriate depends on the findings and equipment compatibility.
What is the difference between an RCD and an RCBO?
An RCD provides residual-current protection. An RCBO combines that protection with protection against overloads and short circuits for a circuit. The appropriate devices need to be selected for the installation.
What certification accompanies consumer unit replacement?
A completed replacement should have an Electrical Installation Certificate recording the work and relevant inspection and test results. Building Regulations notification is a separate requirement in England; discuss how it will be handled before work starts.
What affects consumer unit replacement cost?
The board, protective devices, number of circuits, access and any faults or additional work identified during assessment all affect the cost. Ask for a quote that explains the installation, testing and documentation included.
Where do you provide residential fuse board replacement?
GU Services covers homes in Woking and within a five-mile radius. Share your postcode, concerns and any existing inspection findings when enquiring so we can discuss coverage and the work.
Mon - Sun: 24 Hours
Ready to get started or need immediate help?
Whether you need a quick quote for your next project or have an urgent issue that requires immediate attention, the GU Services team is here to help.