Consumer Unit Upgrade in 1234 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX, US – Modern Fuse Box Replacement & Electrical Safety

Common signs include an old fuse box with rewireable fuses, no RCD protection, a plastic enclosure, frequent tripping, overheating, or messy, unlabeled wiring. If your property has not been inspected in many years, or if you are adding new high-demand circuits, a consumer unit upgrade is strongly recommended.

There is no single law stating you must upgrade your consumer unit, but electrical installations must meet current safety standards. For landlords, an unsatisfactory EICR or non-compliant fuse box can result in enforcement action, failed inspections, or invalidated insurance. Upgrading ensures compliance with BS 7671 and supports meeting legal obligations.

Most domestic consumer unit replacements take around 4–8 hours depending on the number of circuits, access, and any remedial works required. Complex commercial or three-phase boards can take longer. Power will be turned off during the replacement, and restored once all testing is complete.

Yes. Power must be isolated for safety while the old unit is removed, wiring is checked, and the new board is installed. We plan the work to minimise disruption and keep you informed throughout the process.

It is strongly advised. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) checks the condition of your wiring and ensures it is safe to connect to a new board. If serious faults are present, they should be rectified at the same time as the upgrade.

Modern boards provide RCD and/or RCBO protection for electric shock, surge protection against voltage spikes, arc fault detection, improved fault isolation, metal enclosures for fire resistance, and better labelling. This significantly reduces the risk of electric shock and electrical fires.

An MCB protects against overload and short circuits on a single circuit. An RCD protects against earth leakage and electric shock but typically covers multiple circuits. An RCBO combines both functions for an individual circuit, providing the highest level of protection and isolation.

SPDs are now strongly recommended, and often required, especially where properties contain sensitive electronics, EV chargers, PV systems, or home offices. Surge protection helps prevent damage from lightning strikes, grid disturbances, or switching surges.

An AFDD (Arc Fault Detection Device) detects dangerous arcing within wiring or appliances that can cause fires. AFDDs are recommended for socket circuits in high-risk areas such as bedrooms, lounges, HMOs, or timber-framed buildings. They offer an additional layer of safety above standard RCDs and MCBs.

In many cases, yes. EV chargers require dedicated circuits, RCD protection, and surge protection. If the existing board has no spare capacity or lacks modern safety devices, upgrading or adding a sub-board is often required before the charger can be installed safely.

Yes. A modern, correctly installed consumer unit with RCD/RCBO protection and proper labelling is a key factor in achieving a 'satisfactory' outcome on an EICR, assuming the underlying wiring is in good condition.

Landlords must ensure the installation is safe and compliant. If an EICR highlights C1 or C2 issues relating to the fuse box (such as no RCDs, damaged enclosures, or poor connections), a consumer unit upgrade may be required as the remedial action.

Yes. Many properties have wiring that is still serviceable and safe. We test the circuits first; if they pass, they can be connected to the new unit without a full rewire. Any defective circuits can be repaired or isolated as needed.

You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), test schedules for each circuit, and Building Control notification under Part P (where applicable). This paperwork is essential for insurance, future EICRs, and property sales.

Typical domestic upgrades start from around the guide prices shown on this page, and vary based on board type (RCD vs RCBO vs SPD/AFDD), circuit count, and any remedial work required. All quotes from Austin Detailing are fixed and include testing and certification.

Consumer units must be installed in accessible, ventilated locations, away from excessive damp, heat, or flammable materials. We ensure placement complies with regulations and, where possible, improves ease of access compared to older installations.

Frequent tripping can indicate overloaded circuits, faulty appliances, or wiring issues. We can investigate via an EICR or fault-finding visit. If the board is outdated or unsafe, a consumer unit upgrade may be part of the solution.

Current regulations require domestic consumer units to be made of non-combustible materials (typically steel) to limit fire spread. Plastic units installed before the change are not automatically illegal, but may be flagged during inspections and recommended for replacement.

Yes. It is common to combine a board upgrade with EV charger installation, rewiring of certain circuits, adding new sockets, or upgrading kitchen and bathroom circuits. Doing the work together can reduce overall cost and disruption.

No. Consumer unit upgrades are not suitable for DIY and must only be carried out by a qualified, registered electrician. Incorrect installation can lead to serious electric shock, fire risk, and invalidated insurance.