Understanding Consumer Units & Why Yours Might Need an Upgrade

At Keswick Electrical Services Ltd, we like to think of ourselves as the friendly face of electrics – professional, reliable, and always happy to help shed light on the important (but often overlooked) parts of your home or business. Today, we’re talking about a little box that plays a huge role in keeping you safe: the consumer unit.

So, What Is a Consumer Unit?

You might know it as a fuse box or circuit breaker panel – that mysterious grey box tucked away under the stairs or in a cupboard. But it’s more than just a collection of switches and fuses. A consumer unit is the heart of your electrical system. It controls and distributes electricity around your property, while protecting you, your family, and your home from electrical faults.

When everything’s working fine, you barely notice it. But when something goes wrong – like a faulty appliance or a sudden surge – your consumer unit steps in, cutting off the electricity to prevent fires, electric shocks, or damaged wiring. It’s your silent guardian, working 24/7.

Old Fuse Boxes

Back in the day, consumer units were pretty basic. If you’ve ever changed an old-style fuse with a bit of wire and a prayer, you’ll remember how fiddly – and potentially dangerous – things used to be.

Over the years, consumer units have come a long way. Modern units are fitted with circuit breakers, Residual Current Devices (RCDs), and even Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). These components detect issues in milliseconds and shut things down to protect both you and your electrical system.

Today’s consumer units are faster, safer, and smarter – designed to comply with the latest UK Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and give you peace of mind.

Does Your Consumer Unit Need an Upgrade?

Not sure if your consumer unit is up to scratch? Here are a few signs it might be time to call in the pros:

• Your unit still uses rewireable fuses
• There’s no RCD protection
• It looks old, rusty or smells of burning (yikes!)
• You’ve had frequent tripping or unexplained power cuts
• You’re planning a home renovation, extension or EV charger installation

If any of these ring a bell, it’s definitely worth getting it checked.

What Are the Dangers of an Outdated Consumer Unit?

Old or faulty consumer units aren’t just inconvenient – they can be downright dangerous. Without proper protection, electrical faults can lead to:

• Electrical fires
• Electric shocks
• Unreliable power supply
• Non-compliance with current regulations (which can affect home insurance or selling your property)

Your safety is far too important to leave to chance.

How Keswick Electrical Services Can Help

At Keswick Electrical Services Ltd, we’re specialists in upgrading and installing consumer units to the highest standards. Whether you’re replacing an ancient fuse box or simply want the reassurance of modern protection, our fully qualified electricians offer a tidy, stress-free, and fully certified service. We’ll:

• Inspect your current system
• Recommend the best upgrade options
• Install a brand-new, regulation-compliant consumer unit
• Provide all the paperwork and certification you need

We take pride in offering a friendly, local service with national-level expertise – all with a smile (and maybe a brew if you're offering!).

Ready to Power Up Safely?

Don’t wait until something goes wrong to find out your consumer unit isn’t up to scratch. Let’s keep your home safe, sound, and powered with confidence. Give us a call today or drop us a message to book your consumer unit inspection or upgrade.

Keswick Electrical Services Ltd – keeping homes safe, one fuse box at a time!