01204 894335
Martin Kaine Electrical
CALL
New metal consumer unit with RCBOs and surge protection fitted in a home
Fuse board replacement

Consumer Unit Replacement in Colchester

The consumer unit is what disconnects a circuit when something goes wrong, so an old fuse box with no RCD protection leaves a gap that modern boards close. Martin Kaine Electrical replaces fuse boards across Colchester and North Essex with metal-cased units, RCD or RCBO protection and surge protection, after testing the circuits that will be connected to it.

Get a free quoteCall 01204 894335

Free Quote

Metal
enclosures as standard
BS 7671
tested and certified
30+
years in the trade

When a fuse board should be replaced

Boards with rewireable fuses, where a thin piece of wire melts to break the circuit, give no protection against electric shock from a fault to earth. Plastic consumer units fitted before the 2015 amendment to the wiring regulations are also replaced regularly, since domestic boards now need a non-combustible enclosure. Adding new circuits, such as an EV charger or a kitchen extension, is another common trigger.

  • Rewireable fuses or a mix of old fuses and newer breakers
  • No RCD protection, or a single RCD covering every circuit
  • Plastic enclosure in a hallway, under stairs or near an escape route
  • No spare ways for a planned EV charger, shower or extension circuit

RCDs, RCBOs and surge protection

An RCD detects current leaking to earth and disconnects quickly enough to reduce the risk of a fatal shock. RCBOs combine that with overload protection on each circuit, so one faulty appliance only trips its own circuit instead of half the house. Surge protection devices are now commonly required under BS 7671:2018 and help protect sensitive electronics from transient overvoltages.

  • Dual-RCD boards split circuits across two RCDs for a lower cost
  • Full RCBO boards keep each circuit independent when a fault trips
  • Surge protection fitted where the regulations call for it
  • Circuits clearly labelled so you know what each breaker controls

Testing before and after the swap

Before a new board goes in, the existing circuits are tested, because a modern RCD will trip on faults an old fuse box tolerated for years. Common finds include borrowed neutrals, damaged cable, poor insulation resistance and missing earths. Any faults are explained and priced before we go ahead, so the new board is not left tripping on day one.

  • Insulation resistance and earth continuity checked on every circuit
  • Main earthing and bonding to gas and water pipes checked and upgraded if needed
  • Faults found during testing explained before any extra work is agreed
  • Electrical Installation Certificate issued and Part P notification made
How the job runs

From first call to finished work

  1. 01

    Pre-installation testing

    Existing circuits are tested so any faults are found before the new RCD protection is relied upon.

  2. 02

    Board specification

    We agree the layout with you, including RCBO or dual-RCD protection, surge protection and spare ways.

  3. 03

    Power down and changeover

    The supply is isolated, the old board removed and the new metal unit fitted, usually within a single working day.

  4. 04

    Final tests and labelling

    Every circuit is tested on the new board, labelled clearly, and certified and notified under Part P.

Why customers choose Martin Kaine Electrical

  • Circuits tested before the old board comes off the wall, not after
  • DBS-checked electricians working inside your home
  • Paperwork completed and notified so the upgrade shows up when you sell
Questions

Common questions

What affects the price of replacing a consumer unit?

The number of circuits, whether you choose a dual-RCD board or full RCBOs, and whether surge protection is needed all change the price. Faults found during testing, or main earthing and bonding that needs upgrading, can add work. We quote after looking at the existing board and the installation behind it.

How long will I be without power when the board is changed?

The supply has to be off for most of the changeover. For a typical house that usually means a single working day, with power restored before we leave. We will let you know in advance so you can plan around fridges, freezers and working from home.

Why does my new consumer unit keep tripping?

Usually because the new RCD protection is picking up a fault that the old fuses never detected, such as a damp outdoor fitting, a failing appliance or a borrowed neutral between circuits. Testing before the swap reduces the chance of this. If it does happen, the fault needs tracing rather than the protection being removed.

Related pages

House rewiringEV charger installationKitchen electricsElectrician in BrightlingseaElectrician in HalsteadAll electrical servicesGet a free quote

Need an electrician in Colchester & North Essex?

Tell us what you need and we will come back with clear advice and a quote.

Call 01204 894335Request a quote