We recently carried out a fuseboard upgrade in Hoddesdon for a customer who was in the process of buying a new home. They had looked at the existing fusebox and were concerned about its age and condition.
The property still had an old rewireable fuseboard mounted on a wooden backboard. I have been working as an electrician for around 20 years, and I have seen plenty of these still in service. The age of a fuseboard alone does not tell us the condition of the wiring behind it, so before recommending that we simply replace it, we carried out an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR.
That decision turned out to be important. During the testing we found an open neutral conductor on the upstairs ring final circuit. We traced the fault, found the problem and repaired the neutral connection before installing the new consumer unit.
It is a good example of why we approach fuseboard upgrades in this order. The new consumer unit is only one part of the electrical installation. We need to know what we are connecting it to.
The old rewireable fuseboard was only part of the story
The existing board in this Hoddesdon property was the sort we regularly come across in older homes. It used rewireable fuses and had been installed on a wooden backboard.
Customers often see an old fusebox like this and immediately assume that the whole electrical installation needs replacing.
That is not necessarily the case.
The important question is what condition the installation is actually in. That includes the cables, circuits, connections, earthing arrangements and protective measures throughout the property.
This is why, when someone contacts us about an older installation, I would rather test it properly than make assumptions based purely on what the fuseboard looks like.
In this particular house, that testing highlighted a genuine fault.
We found an open neutral on the upstairs ring
During the EICR we identified an open neutral conductor on the upstairs ring final circuit.
A ring final circuit relies on the conductors forming the circuit correctly. An open conductor means that part of the circuit is no longer connected as intended.
This sort of fault is a good example of something that you cannot identify simply by standing in front of the fuseboard.
We traced the circuit, located the problem and repaired the neutral connection before proceeding with the consumer unit replacement.
If we had concentrated solely on fitting a newer-looking fuseboard, the existing problem would still have needed dealing with.
That is one of the main pieces of advice I give customers who are considering a fuseboard upgrade in Hoddesdon. Find out what condition the existing installation is in first.
Why we recommend an EICR before a fuseboard upgrade
At JJB Electrical Ltd, we recommend carrying out an EICR on an older or unknown installation before upgrading the consumer unit.
An EICR gives us the opportunity to inspect and test the fixed electrical installation properly.
It can identify existing faults or defects which may need attention before we connect the circuits to a new consumer unit.
This becomes particularly relevant when someone has recently bought a property.
You may have no idea what alterations previous owners have made over the years. Additional sockets may have been added, circuits altered or electrical work carried out at different times by different people.
The consumer unit can only tell us so much.
Testing gives us much more useful information.
In the Hoddesdon property, the customer's concern started with an old fusebox. The EICR showed us that there was also an issue on the upstairs ring circuit that needed repairing.
By the time we fitted the new board, we had already found and corrected that fault.
Signs that it may be time to have your fuseboard checked
An older fuseboard does not automatically mean you need an immediate replacement, but there are several reasons I would suggest having the installation inspected.
You still have rewireable fuses
Many older properties still have fuseboards containing rewireable fuses.
They are very different from a modern consumer unit using individual RCBO protection.
If you still have this type of board, it is worth having an electrician inspect the installation and explain your options rather than assuming everything needs changing.
Your consumer unit has limited additional protection
Modern consumer units can provide individual RCBO protection to circuits.
An RCBO combines protection against overcurrent with residual current protection on an individual circuit.
One advantage of individual RCBOs is that a problem on one circuit is less likely to cause unnecessary loss of power to other circuits in the property.
When we upgraded the Hoddesdon fuseboard, we installed individual RCBO protection rather than grouping several circuits together under one device.
You are buying an older property
This is exactly what prompted the job in Hoddesdon.
A homebuyer could see that the fuseboard was old, but they did not know what condition the rest of the electrical installation was in.
An EICR gave them a much clearer picture.
If you are buying an older property, especially one that you plan to renovate, knowing what you have electrically can help you make sensible decisions about the work.
Sometimes testing identifies specific repairs.
In other properties, the amount or condition of the existing wiring may mean that a house rewire needs to be considered.
We assess what is actually there rather than making that decision based purely on the age of the fusebox.
You are planning additional electrical loads
It is also sensible to review the existing electrical installation if you are planning significant additional electrical work.
For example, customers regularly contact us about EV chargers and other electrical upgrades.
Before adding new equipment, we need to understand the existing installation and make sure the proposed work is designed correctly.
A fuseboard upgrade can sometimes form part of that wider work, depending on the existing installation.
What we installed at the Hoddesdon property
Once we had completed the testing and repaired the open neutral fault, we could move on to replacing the old fuseboard.
We removed the rewireable board and installed a modern consumer unit.
The new installation included:
- Individual RCBO protection for the circuits
- Surge protection
- Modern circuit identification and labelling
- Testing following the consumer unit upgrade
The finished board gave the customer a much more modern arrangement, but the testing behind the installation was equally important.
What is an RCBO?
RCBO stands for Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection.
In practical terms, it provides overcurrent and residual current protection for an individual circuit.
If we have separate RCBOs protecting individual circuits, a fault affecting one circuit is less likely to cause several unrelated circuits to lose power at the same time.
It also makes the arrangement clearer when testing or investigating a problem.
What does surge protection do?
A surge protection device, normally called an SPD, provides additional protection against transient overvoltages.
Modern homes contain a huge amount of electronic equipment, from televisions and computers to boilers, appliances, smart controls and other electronics.
An SPD helps reduce the risk of damage from transient overvoltages reaching equipment connected to the electrical installation.
Will an old fuseboard mean I need a full rewire?
This is one of the most common concerns customers have.
The answer depends on the condition of the existing installation.
An old fuseboard and old wiring are often found together, but you cannot accurately judge the condition of every circuit purely by looking at the consumer unit.
Testing is what gives us the information we need.
We look at the existing installation and identify faults, deterioration or other issues that need addressing.
Sometimes the sensible solution is to repair specific defects and replace the consumer unit.
If the wider installation has significant problems, a house rewire may need to be discussed.
Our Hoddesdon customer is a useful example. We found a specific fault on the upstairs ring circuit, traced it and repaired it. We did not jump straight from seeing an old fuseboard to telling the customer that the whole house needed rewiring.
What happens if we find faults before the upgrade?
We explain what we have found and what needs correcting.
The exact solution depends on the fault.
In the example covered in this article, we found an open neutral conductor. We traced the problem and repaired the connection before proceeding with the fuseboard replacement.
Other installations will have different issues, which is why testing matters.
I would rather identify a problem before changing the board than discover halfway through the upgrade that an existing circuit has a fault that needs investigation.
It also gives the customer a clearer understanding of the condition of the electrical installation they own.
How long does a fuseboard upgrade take?
The time required depends on the property, the number of circuits and what we find during the testing.
Replacing a consumer unit involves more than physically mounting a new box on the wall. The circuits need to be identified, connected correctly and tested.
Existing faults can also affect how long the job takes.
This is another reason why an EICR beforehand can be useful on older installations. It gives us information about the installation before the consumer unit replacement begins.
When you ask us for a quote, we can talk through what is involved for your particular property rather than giving you a generic answer that may not reflect the actual work required.
How much does a fuseboard upgrade in Hoddesdon cost?
Our fuseboard upgrades start from £750 plus VAT.
The final price depends on the installation, including the number of circuits and whether any additional remedial work is required.
An older fuseboard can sometimes be the visible part of a wider electrical installation that has been altered several times over the years.
That is why we prefer to understand the installation properly and then explain what work is required.
If faults are identified during testing, we will explain what we have found rather than simply carrying on without discussing them.
What do you get after a consumer unit upgrade?
Once the work has been completed, the installation is tested and the relevant electrical certification is provided for the work.
A consumer unit replacement is also work that falls within Part P requirements in England. JJB Electrical Ltd is Part P registered, as well as being NAPIT registered.
The paperwork matters because it provides a record of the work that has been carried out and the testing associated with it.
Keep the certification with the property records.
What our Hoddesdon job shows
The most useful part of this job happened before we fitted the new consumer unit.
The homeowner initially contacted us because the old rewireable fuseboard looked dated and they wanted to know what they were buying.
By carrying out the EICR first, we discovered the open neutral on the upstairs ring circuit, traced it and repaired it.
We then upgraded the fuseboard with individual RCBOs, surge protection and clear circuit identification before testing the completed installation.
The customer finished with more than a new box on the wall. They had a much better understanding of the electrical installation in their new home and an existing circuit fault had been dealt with along the way.
After 20 years working as an electrician, jobs like this are why I still prefer testing over guessing.
Choosing someone to carry out the work
If you are comparing quotes for a fuseboard upgrade in Hoddesdon, I would ask what happens before the old board comes off.
Ask whether the existing installation is going to be tested and what happens if faults are found.
At JJB Electrical Ltd, we have around 20 years of electrical experience and are NAPIT registered, Part P registered, Which? Trusted Trader endorsed, TrustMark registered and MCS certified.
We also have more than 200 customer reviews.
One of the simple things we work hard at is turning up when we say we will. Electrical work can already be disruptive enough without customers wondering whether their electrician is going to arrive.
If you are still at the research stage, there is no pressure to make a decision straight away. We are happy to discuss what type of fuseboard you currently have and whether testing should be the first step.
FAQ SECTION
How much does a fusebox upgrade cost?
Our fuseboard upgrades start from £750. The final cost depends on the number of circuits, the existing installation and whether we identify any faults or additional work that needs to be completed.
How long does a fusebox upgrade take?
It depends on the size and condition of the installation. We need enough time to identify the circuits, install the new consumer unit and carry out the required testing, and existing faults can add time to the job.
Do I need to replace my old fusebox?
Age alone does not automatically mean a fusebox needs replacing. We prefer to inspect and test the electrical installation so we can explain what condition it is in and whether an upgrade would be appropriate.
Will I need a full rewire?
An old fuseboard does not automatically mean you need a house rewire. Testing may show that individual faults can be repaired, although more extensive problems with an older installation can sometimes mean that rewiring needs to be considered.
Do you test the wiring before replacing the fusebox?
Yes. On older or unknown installations we recommend carrying out an EICR before upgrading the consumer unit. On the Hoddesdon job covered here, that testing allowed us to find an open neutral conductor on the upstairs ring circuit before we installed the new board.
Do I get a certificate after a consumer unit upgrade?
Yes. We provide the relevant electrical certification following the work and testing. Consumer unit replacement also falls within Part P requirements, and JJB Electrical Ltd is Part P registered.
If you have an older fusebox and you are unsure whether it needs replacing, we are happy to take a look and talk you through the options. We can also arrange an EICR first if we need to establish the condition of the existing installation.
For a fuseboard upgrade in Hoddesdon, call JJB Electrical Ltd for a quote on 01992 276087. There is no obligation, and we will explain what we recommend and why.
