Your consumer unit (commonly known as a fuse board) is one of the most important safety systems in your home. It controls how electricity flows through your circuits and protects your property from faults, overloads and potential fire risks.
But many Southampton homes still rely on outdated fuse boards that were installed decades ago—long before today’s electrical standards, appliances and higher energy demands.
If you’ve noticed issues with tripping circuits, old rewireable fuses or a fuse board that simply looks dated, now is a good time to consider upgrading. In this post, we explain the benefits of replacing your consumer unit and what homeowners in Southampton should look out for.
Why Older Consumer Units Can Be Unsafe
Southampton has a huge mix of housing, including 1930s semis, post-war homes, terraced properties and modern flats. Many older properties still have consumer units that:
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- Use rewireable fuses instead of modern breakers
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- Do not include RCD/RCBO protection
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- Are made from plastic, not metal
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- Offer limited fault detection
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- Cannot handle today’s electrical loads
These older units were never designed for modern homes with EV chargers, powerful appliances, electric showers, home offices, gaming setups and multiple devices running at once.
Without modern protection, faults can go unnoticed until they become dangerous.
How a New Consumer Unit Improves Safety
Upgrading to a is one of the most effective ways to make your home safer. Modern units include RCD and RCBO devices that disconnect power instantly if they detect an issue, significantly reducing the risk of:
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- Electrical fires
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- Electric shock
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- Overloaded circuits
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- Faulty wiring going unnoticed
In many cases, a new consumer unit will highlight hidden problems that older boards were simply not capable of detecting.
Signs You May Need a New Consumer Unit
Southampton homeowners often contact us when they notice:
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- Frequent tripping when using appliances
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- Buzzing or crackling noises from the fuse board
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- A fuse board with old ceramic or rewireable fuses
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- Discoloured or overheating components
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- Lack of RCD switches
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- Issues flagged during an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
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- Adding an EV charger, extension or new circuits
If your property is older, or you’ve recently moved in and are unsure about the condition of your electrical system, a simple inspection can tell you whether a replacement is needed.
What Happens During a Consumer Unit Replacement?
Our process is clear, safe and fully certified:
1. Safety Inspection
We check your existing wiring and circuits to ensure everything can safely connect to a new unit.
2. Removal of Old Fuse Board
We carefully disconnect and remove the old consumer unit.
3. Installation of a New Metal Consumer Unit
All new units include modern RCD/RCBO protection, improving safety across every circuit.
4. Full Testing & Certification
After testing the entire system, we provide an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)—required for insurance, compliance and home sales.
We also tidy up fully before leaving, keeping disruption to a minimum.
Why Southampton Homeowners Choose Us
We work across all parts of Southampton—including Shirley, Bitterne, Woolston, Portswood, Totton, Netley, Millbrook and West End—providing:
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- Qualified, experienced electricians
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- Honest advice with no pressure
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- Clear pricing with no hidden extras
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- Safe, compliant installations
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- Fast turnaround and clean workmanship
Whether it’s part of a wider home upgrade or a standalone job, we carry out consumer unit installations to a very high standard.
Thinking About Upgrading Your Consumer Unit?
A new consumer unit is an investment in the safety and reliability of your home.
If you’re unsure whether your current fuse board needs replacing, we offer quick checks and honest guidance.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote for consumer unit installation anywhere in Southampton.