Consumer Unit & Fuse Box Upgrades in Blackpool & the Surrounding Areas

❌ Old Fuse Box Risks

• Fire hazard: Plastic casings can melt if there's a fault. Electrical Safety First reports 4,000+ electrical fires annually
• No RCD protection: Without an RCD, there's 30% higher electrocution risk. RCDs save about 20 lives yearly in the UK
• Rewirable fuses: Homeowners sometimes use incorrect wire gauge (like 13A fuse wire in a 5A circuit)
• Difficulty troubleshooting: If there's no clear fault indicators it can lead to longer power outages
• Non compliant with modern loads: Can't safely handle really high demand appliances like EV chargers

✅ Modern Unit Benefits

• Metal enclosures: This means they're fireproof and meet current building regs.
• RCD protection: Cuts power in 0.04 seconds during faults (this is 30 times faster than old systems)
• RCBO technology: Individual circuit protection that prevents whole house blackouts
• Clear labelling: Easy to identify and reset circuits during emergencies
• Future-proof design: Accommodates smart home technology and renewable energy systems

1. Frequent Tripping

If breakers trip more than once per month, your electrical system is either overloaded or faulty. A lot of homeowners try temporary fixes like replacing fuses with higher ratings - these can dangerously bypass the safety mechanisms! Modern consumer units provide precise protection matched to each circuit's capacity.

2. Burning Smells

Any plastic or metallic odours from your fuse box indicate over heated components. The distinctive "electrical fire" smell comes from melting insulation and often happens before visible smoke. In our emergency callouts, we regularly find terminal temperatures exceeding 90°C in old units. That's nearly double the safe limit.

3. Visible Damage

Cracks, discolouration or scorch marks can mean replacement is needed straight away. Brown "heat stains" around fuse holders show where components have overheated again and again. In bad cases, we've seen fuse boxes where the plastic has actually warped enough to expose live parts! This is an extreme electric shock hazard.

4. Rewirable Fuses

Ceramic fuses with replaceable wire (common in pre-1990s installations) have not met UK wiring regs since 2004. The danger comes from homeowners using incorrect wire gauge - we often find 30A wire in 5A circuits during inspections, creating serious fire risks.

5. No RCD Protection

Missing test buttons means no life saving electric shock protection (this has been required since 2008). RCDs reduce deadly electric shock risk by 80% according to Electrical Safety First. They are now mandatory for all socket circuits and are especially important for outdoor circuits and bathrooms.

6. Home Improvements

Adding extensions, EV chargers or solar panels needs modern circuit protection. We regularly find older fuse boxes overloaded by new, modern demands - like 7kW EV chargers drawing 30A continuously. Modern units have special ways for high-load circuits with the correct protection.

A Free Safety Inspection

Our NICEIC-certified electricians will do a thorough 12-point inspection, which includes checking: circuit loading, earthing, bonding, and existing fault risks. You will get a detailed quote with 3 upgrade options customised to your home's needs and your budget.

Minimal Disruption

Most upgrades take about 3 to 4 hours. We use temporary supplies to maintain power to essential circuits (fridges, medical equipment etc.). Our team will arrive with all tools and materials and leave your home clean and tidy.

Quality Installation

We install only MK, Hager or Eaton units - These are British made with 10 year warrantys. All work complies with BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (18th Edition). Circuits are clearly labelled and tested under load.

Certification

You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for insurance and compliance. We always register our work with NICEIC for your peace of mind, and provide a 5-year workmanship guarantee as well as manufacturer warranties.

Is upgrading my fuse box a legal requirement?

No, its not mandatory for all homes, however, many regulations and practical considerations apply:

• Rental propertys: The Electrical Safety Standards (2020) require upgrades to current standards
• Home sales: Most solicitors now request Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)
• Insurance: 85% of policies now need compliant electrical systems
• Building control: Major renovations usually require upgrades

Even without legal requirements, modern consumer units provide vital protection that old systems simply cannot match.

Will my power be off all day during the upgrade?

We plan upgrades to minimise outages:

• Average downtime: 30-60 minutes total (in 10-15 minute intervals)
• Critical circuits: We maintain power to fridges/freezers and medical equipment
• Work hours: Typically 9am-3pm for a standard upgrade
• Evening slots: Available for working professionals (+£50)

For businesses, we offer out-of-hours upgrades to avoid trading times.

What make of consumer unit do you reccommend?

After installing hundreds of units across Blackpool, we recommend these UK-made brands:

We avoid cheap imports that often stop working within 2-3 years. All our installations use MCBs and RCDs from the same manufacturer for compatibility.

Can I claim this on home insurance?

Many insurers cover upgrades when:

• Recommended in an EICR: 80% of "unsatisfactory" reports lead to covered upgrades
• After electrical incidents: Near-misses or small fires often trigger coverage
• Preventative measures: Some policies cover upgrades in flood risk areas
• Home improvements: Often covered under renovation clauses

We provide insurance friendly documentation inc. before and after pics, test certificates, and manufacturer warranties.

How long will my new consumer unit last?

With proper maintenance:

• Physical unit: 20-25 years (metal enclosures don't degrade like plastic)
• Protective devices: 10-15 years (MCBs/RCDs have mechanical lifespans)
• Compliance: Current 18th Edition standards should remain valid until ~2028

We recommend testing RCDs every 3 months and having a full EICR every 10 years (5 for rental properties).

Coverage Areas:

• Blackpool (FY1-FY4)
• Poulton-le-Fylde (FY6)
• Lytham (FY8)

• Fleetwood (FY7)
• Thornton (FY5)
• Cleveleys (FY5)

• St Annes (FY8)
• Kirkham (PR4)
• Surrounding areas