Looking for a Consumer unit upgrade Electrician?

1) Fuse Board (Consumer Unit) Upgrades by Lighthouse Engineering in Dollis Hill & Cricklewood

2) Why Upgrade Your Fuse Board / Consumer Unit?

Your fuse board (also called a consumer unit) is the electrical “hub” of your property — it distributes power and protects individual circuits. If it’s outdated or not up to modern safety standards, it becomes a potential hazard.

Modern consumer units offer many advantages over old-style fuse boxes. Upgrading ensures your home or business is safer, compliant, and able to meet today’s electrical demands.

Here are some key reasons to upgrade:

• Enhanced safety: Modern units include RCDs (Residual Current Devices) or RCBOs that detect faults and cut off power far more quickly than traditional fuses, reducing risks of electric shock or fire.
• Regulatory compliance: Older boards often don’t meet current wiring regulations (e.g. BS 7671, 18th Edition). Upgrading brings your system up to par and avoids compliance issues.
• Better capacity & resilience: With more circuits and higher load capacity, modern units can handle today’s electrical demands (EV chargers, smart appliances, extensions).
• Less maintenance & more convenience: Circuit breakers and RCDs can be reset, don’t require replacing fuses, and allow for better labeling and compartmentalization of circuits.
• Future-proofing: As you upgrade lighting, appliances, EV chargers, or smart devices, a modern consumer unit gives you headroom.

Lighthouse Engineering can assess your existing system, recommend the best solution, and carry out the upgrade with minimum disruption.

3) Types of Fuse Boards / Consumer Units & Their Benefits

Here are the main types / configurations you might consider when upgrading, along with their advantages:

Each property has unique demands. At Lighthouse Engineering, we’ll walk you through which setup makes most sense for your home or business.

4) Our Process: How Lighthouse Engineering Upgrades Fuse Boards

Here’s how we typically work, from survey to handover:

• Site survey & inspection: We inspect your existing board, wiring, load demands, and future plans (e.g. EV charger, extension).
• Electrical testing & fault checks: We perform checks to identify any hidden faults or weaknesses before swapping the unit.
• Design & unit selection: Based on your needs, we propose a consumer unit type (RCBO, split RCD, SPD, etc.), with an itemised quotation.
• Power shutdown planning: We schedule a time to isolate power safely to carry out the replacement with minimal disruption.
• Removal & installation: We remove the old board, install the new unit, connect all circuits, earths, and perform all necessary wiring upgrades.
• Testing & commissioning: Each circuit is thoroughly tested (insulation resistance, continuity, polarity, earth fault loop, RCD testing).
• Certification & registration: We issue an Electrical Installation Certificate, register the work under Part P or local building control (if needed), and leave all paperwork with you.
• Handover & advice: We explain the new board, how to reset, label circuits clearly, and answer any questions.

We aim for a clean, tidy installation with minimal mess and downtime.

5) Why Choose Lighthouse Engineering?

• Fully qualified & insured electricians
• Transparent quotations — no hidden extras
• Compliance with current regulations
• Reliable, neat workmanship
• Excellent aftercare & support
• Trusted reputation in our local area

We believe in honesty, clarity, and delivering lasting safety.

6) FAQ (Common Questions)

Q. How do I know if my fuse board needs upgrading?

Some signs include:

• An old fuse box with rewireable fuses
• Lack of any RCD protection
• Frequent tripping or blowing of fuses
• Struggling electrics when new appliances are added
• Results in an EICR report recommending replacement

Q. Can I just replace the board without inspecting everything?
While in some cases a direct swap is possible, best practices include testing the existing circuits first to identify issues that might prevent a safe swap later.

Q. How long does it take?
Typically a full upgrade can be done in one working day. If remedial wiring or alterations are needed, it may take longer.

Q. Will the power be off?
Yes — during the swap the supply will need to be isolated. We plan this outage carefully to minimize disruption.

Q. Will I get certification?
Yes. You will receive full test reports and the Electrical Installation Certificate. We will also handle any necessary building control / Part P registration.

Q. How much does a fuse board upgrade cost?
Costs depend on complexity, type of board, number of circuits, and any remedial work required.

Question? Pop us a message today!

Call us on 020 8452 0694