Electricians Chelmsford

Consumer Unit Installation

The Consumer Unit commonly known as the Fuseboard protects you and your family from shock and electrocution and protects electrical appliances and fittings from overload and damage.

Your sockets, lighting and electrical appliances are all connected to the consumer unit.

Homes and commercial premises should be fitted with a modern 17th edition consumer unit made from non-combustible metal or plastic that implements RCD (residual current device) fuses. In 2015 BS7671:2008 came into force so now all unit enclosures are made from metal.

Old Fuse Boxes

There are many buildings in Chelmsford that have old fuseboxes mounted on a wooden base.

Old pre-1970 fuse boxes use traditional wire fuses although these are not illegal they are not as safe as modern RCD fuses.

Old fuses contain fuse wire which would melt when overloaded severing the electrical link in the process.

When an old fuse ‘blown’ new fuse wire would have to be manually attached, Rcd’s have replaced old fuses they are safer, respond faster to overload and reset at the flick of a switch.

So if you have an old fuse box it’s highly recommended you replace it. 

Modern Consumer Units

Our Electricians regularly upgrade old fuse boxes to new 17th edition consumer units containing a mains switch and the latest circuit breakers.

Consumer units feature a mains switch so you can quickly turn the power to your home on and off.

Whenever electrical work’s undertaken, the Electrician will always cut the power via the mains switch to make the work environment safe.

RCD, MCB & MCBO Fuses

Depending on your home/business electrical requirements a consumer unit will contain a various amount of RCD, MCB, or MCBO fuses or a mixture.

RCD’s

An RCD (residual current device) will switch off electricity automatically if there’s a fault (overheating or excessive electrical current) preventing electrical fire or electrocution.

RCD’s can be used to protect individual or groups of circuits. Fixed RCD’s are used in consumer units they’re also available built into sockets or as portable devices that plugin to the wall.

RCD’s are fitted into consumer units to save lives and will cut out instantly if someone’s electrocuted MCB (miniature circuit breaker) respond to overload currents protecting electrical circuits from overheating and fire they do not, however, prevent electric shock (that’s the RCD’s job).

MCB’s

MCB’s will trip in the event of overloading and can usually be used again after tripping.

RCBO’s

An RCBO (a residual current device with overcurrent) acts as an RCD and MCB with protection from electrocution and overloaded currents in one.

RCBO consumer units are considered the safest and most efficient but are more expensive than RCD/MCB consumer units which usually contain 2 RCD’s and the required amount of MCB’s for the situation.

Wiring & Rewiring

The Ring Circuit (commonly referred to as the ring main) is A ring of cables (hence the name ring main) connected to your consumer unit.

The wires are twin and earth that run around your home and connected to the sockets in the walls.

In short, the Ring Main powers your outlets. The Ring allows current to run in both directions minimising the demands on cables and ensuring enough electricity gets to every powerpoint in your home.

Many homes in Chelmsford have old wiring.

Is It Time For A Rewire?

Electrical wiring does last a long time up to 70 years in fact, but wiring in older homes can deteriorate quicker depending on the condition of the property.

Homeowners of any homes built before 1970 should definitely have their wiring checked. Amendment 2 of the 17th Edition BS7671 wiring regulations came into force in 2006.

Now any homes built, renovated or rewired must use the same wiring used on the continent. Pre 1970 red was live, black was neutral, and the earth was green.

Between 1970 and 2004 the red and black remained but the ground became yellow and green. Post-2004 wiring changed to brown-live (to account for the colour blind) blue-neutral and earth-yellow and green.

Our Electrical services include rewiring so if you live in an old home and would like one of our Electricians to check your wiring let us know.

Any households that haven’t been fully or partly rewired in the past 30 years will probably need rewiring.

Sockets

The Live, Neutral & Earth wires that make up the ring main is covered in protective PVC which protects the cable from damp, water and damage and protects the homeowner from shock.

The wire runs through the walls to multiple sockets in the house that are connected to back boxes.

The backbox sits in the wall or (sometimes are attached to the wall) the face plate’s (the part you plug appliances into) screwed to the backbox, keeping dangerous electrical current out of harm’s way.

All faceplates must be screwed in properly with two screws. Loose faceplates, faceplates with one screw or faceplates with wires exposed are a danger and must be seen fixed.

The Live, Neutral & Earth wires are connected to the terminal on the back of the faceplate forming a connection which powers your plugged-in appliances.

Electricity passes through the live coil from the consumer unit flicking the switch on the faceplate turns the conductor on and off stopping the electricity flowing.

Next, the electricity runs along the neutral wire back to the consumer unit completing the ‘ring’. The Earth wire’s there to take the electricity to earth (ground) in case of a fault/emergency preventing electrocution.

Socket Installation & Replacement

Our Electricians supply and fit all types of sockets. For those who are redecorating or fancy a change, old faceplates can be removed and replaced with new ones. Sockets can be single or double.

A range of materials is available including plastic, metal, stainless steel and wood.

The Latest Sockets

New sockets can include USB ports and built-in RCD’s. Other kinds of sockets we fit include FCU’s (fused connection units) which contain a fuse in the socket allowing appliances to be hard wired.

Appliance switches, cooker switches, multimedia switches, shaver sockets and lots more.

Outdoor Sockets

Outdoor Sockets are a handy addition to most homes. Outdoor power allows electrical appliances such as lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners and power tools to be plugged in without having to run long, annoying and potentially hazardous extension leads from the sockets indoors.

Outdoor sockets have plastic covers protecting them from rain and dust the covers also prevent plugs being pulled out.

Outdoor sockets are available with built-in RCD’s which is a good idea if you use lawnmowers or hedge trimmers, you’ll be safe if you accidentally cut through the cable.

Lighting

We offer a full lighting installation, replacement and repair service which includes all types of lighting and switches. Ceiling lights, downlights, wall lights, bathroom and kitchen lights.

Lighting Circuits

Radial circuits are used to power lighting in most Chelmsford properties. Radial Circuits run in a line (instead of a ring) and do not go back to the consumer unit.

Radial circuits power boilers, cookers and showers also. The first light/appliance in the circuit’s connected to the consumer unit then joined to the next light, then the next and so forth.

Electricity ends at the last light in the circuit.

The humble ceiling rose is the most common type of light fitting our Electricians install, a cable with a light fitting which allows attachment of a lampshade and installation of the bulb of your choice.

Bulbs

There are various lightbulbs available, and they often cause some confusion.

Bulb types include Halogen, Incandescent, Energy Saving and LED with the fitting types bayonet, Edison screw, capsule and twist-lock; then there’s the wattage and lumens to consider no wonder people get confused!

But don’t worry we’ll make sure the best bulbs for your home are fitted with the lighting installation.

Lights

Indoor lighting includes ceiling lights, recessed lights, pendants, chandeliers, wall lighting, spotlights, track lights, and cable lights.

Your lighting can be fitted with standard wall switches or dimmers so you can control the brightness of each room.

Switches

Dimmer switches include the traditional switch, touch and remote control so you can change the light levels from the comfort of the sofa.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting includes Wall Lights, Coastal Lights, Ground Lights, Decking Lights, LED Garden Lights, Solar Lighting perfect solutions for lighting your garden.

Security Lighting

Security lighting’s also available infrared motion sensors turn the lights on when disturbed.

Commercial Electricians

Chelmsford Businesses are always evolving as such a new electrical installation, partial or full re-wire may be required to move your company forward.

Not every business owner knows exactly what he/she needs to solve their electrical issues.

We will design an electrical installation based on your business requirements and budget with a fixed quote that won’t include any unpleasant hidden extras.

Our electricians are fully qualified with experience in working on commercial electrical installations which include both single and three-phase systems, Cat 5, Cat 5E & Cat 6 wiring.

We can also install all types of commercial lighting, office, shop, warehouse, and industrial.

Other commercial services include Electrical Maintenance/PAT Testing and Security Systems.

Emergency Electricians

TM Hughes Electricians are available 24/7 for Electrical Emergencies in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas.

Electrical emergencies range from inconvenient to dangerous and should always be left to professional electricians (like us) never attempt to do any electrical work on your own it’s dangerous and illegal.

Power Cuts

The first thing to do in the event of a power cut is to call your energy supplier who will confirm whether your lack of power is down to a power outage if the cause isn’t an outage it could be a problem with your electrical system.

Electrical Issues

A buzzing or humming consumer unit is potentially dangerous and should be looked at immediately, and the constant tripping of fuses indicates a problem somewhere in the system.

Whatever issues you have we can get an Electrician to you swiftly who will fix the problem and ensure everything is safe; our emergency services include fair rates and no call out charges.

Domestic & Commercial Electrical Services Include

• Appliance Installation
• Consumer Unit Replacement
• Cooker Circuits
• Earthing & Bonding
• EICR Certificates
• Electrical Installation
• Electrical Heating
• Electrical Maintenance
• Electrical Repairs
• Emergencies
• Fault Finding
• Full & Part Rewiring
• Heating Controls
• Immersion Heaters
• Inspection & Testing
• Indoor Lighting
• Landlord Certificates
• Outdoor Lighting
• Outdoor Power
• PAT Testing
• Rewiring
• Security Lighting
• Security Systems
• Sockets Switches
• Showers
• Smoke & Heat Alarms
• Switches
• Telephone Points
• Testing & Fault Finding
• Tripping Circuits
• Underfloor Heating

If you would like a free quote or would like to book an Electrician, please contact us using the Phone Number or Contact Form below