Consumer Unit Installation Wickford

Welcome To TM Hughes Electrical Services Ltd. We are NICEIC Registered Electricians offering Consumer Unit installation services in Wickford and the surrounding areas.

Please get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation survey and quote from one of our Electricians.

We’ll install a new Consumer unit that meets the latest wiring regulations. We also offer a full range of other electrical services.

Are You Due A New Consumer Unit?

Many homes in Wickford have dated consumer units. Some homes even have old-school-style fuse boards.

Installing a new consumer unit may be necessary for the following situations.

You Have An Old Style Fuse Box 

Before the advent of modern consumer units and modern ultrasafe RCD, fuses old-style fuse boxes were used. 

Old fuse boxes contained wire fuses. When a fault occurs, the wire melts to cut the electricity. Afterwards, the wire needed replacing manually.

Old fuse boxes are generally mounted on wood. The fuses can also flame when they melt, a potential fire hazard.

Unlike traditional wire fuses, modern RCD fuses in new consumer units cut electrical currents faster. When a fault occurs, a switch on the fuse trips. Electricity is reinstated at the flick of a switch. An RCD also has a simple test feature, so you have peace of mind they function correctly.

A new Consumer Unit should be installed if you have an old-style fusebox.

Your Consumer Unit Is Made Of Plastic

The safety of metal consumer units is far superior to plastic ones.

The UK made metal construction mandatory for new consumer unit installations in 2015. 

Consumer units made from metal are less likely to overheat and more fire-resistant than those made from plastic.

Consumer units made of plastic are not illegal and are still in many homes, used without issue or incident. 

You can upgrade your consumer unit to metal for better safety and compliance with the latest wiring regulations.

Your Electrical System Is Being Extended

If you add new electrical circuits to your home or connect new appliances, you may need to install a new Consumer Unit. Your home’s electrical system will be subjected to increased load due to adding more circuits and appliances. As a result, additional RCD fuses will be required.

Some Consumer Units can be upgraded with additional fuses. If not, a new one must be fitted.

Home Extension & Renovation

Adding an extension to your home will require additional circuits. A consumer unit upgrade or addition is likely necessary to accommodate the extra electrical load.

Frequently Occurring Electrical Faults

Suppose you are regularly experiencing faults with your electrical system, such as shocks, flickering lights, and tripping fuses. In that case, you should schedule an appointment with a qualified Electrician to test the system and establish and fix the problem.

Most faults are rectified on detection. However, sometimes the faults are down to a defunct Consumer Unit, so an upgrade is required.

Understanding Consumer Units 

The consumer unit is the most important of all the electrical components in your home. Their functions are numerous which include

• Distribution of electricity: Consumer Units distribute electricity from the main power supply to various appliances and circuits in your home.
• Safeguarding against electrocution: Consumer units are equipped with fuses that cut power automatically in case of a fault, eliminating the risk of electric shocks and fires.
• Electrical overload protection: Consumer units protect appliances from electric overload, which can damage appliances and cause fires. When a circuit or appliance draws too much power, a fuse in the Consumer Unit will trip and cut power. 
• Compliance with electrical regulations: Consumer Units must meet specific electrical regulations and standards to ensure the safety of those living in the property and validate home insurance.

Metal Construction

The modern Consumer Unit is made of non-combustible metal to prevent overload and electrical fires. The casing will contain the fire to an extent if one should occur (a very rare occurrence with modern consumer units that are fitted and set up correctly by a qualified electrician)

Numerous Safety Devices

For electrical maintenance/installation or electrical emergencies, the Consumer Unit features a main switch that cuts off all electricity.

You should ensure everyone in your household knows where the consumer unit is and where the main switch is located in case of an electrical emergency in the home.

Get a free, no-obligation Consumer Unit survey and quote.

Please get in touch with us using the phone number or phone number below to book a free, no-obligation quote undertaken by one of our NICEIC registered Electricians.