The consumer unit is control centre of the electrical installation. It is a rectangular shaped metal or plastic box that sits quietly in our homes and very rarely acts in any way that would make us suspect a problem.
Older consumer units or fuse boxes don’t detect a wide range of electrical issues that the newer technology in modern consumer units can detect.
As your local ELECTRICIAN IN GOLDEN VALLEY, we have written this article to help you make an informed decision when it comes to your electrical safety.
Why do I need a new consumer unit?
There has never been a problem before……
Electrical issues can lay undetected in the floor, the walls and at loose connections wherever wires are joined together. Old technology in fuse boxes and older consumer units will miss electrical hazards such as:
- Broken Ring Circuits
- Dangerous High Resistances
- Loose Wiring
- Arcing Faults
- Power Surges
- Electric Shocks taking place
Newer consumer units improve electrical safety in your home and business and protect the wiring against premature failure through the use of more sensitive devices.
Should I have an Electrical Inspection beforehand?
We would strongly recommend that a Periodic Electrical Inspection is carried out before any consumer unit change takes place. This process will produce a report detailing any issues with the electrical wiring that need to be repaired before the new unit can be installed.
The report is called an Electrical Installation Condition Report and is a document of 5 to 8 pages in length. The report outlines and dangerous electrical situations, potential dangers, and non-compliances with the wiring regulations.
What happens after the Inspection and Report?
In some cases, there will be no issues that need to be rectified following the electrical inspection and the consumer unit installation can commence straight away.
In other cases, there may be some remedial works that are necessary in order to bring the electrical installation up to a safe standard to install the new consumer unit.
In the worst cases, where the wiring is incredibly old for example, the report may advise that a rewire is carried out instead of remedial works. This becomes more likely where the existing wiring is rubber or lead sheathed for example.
Can a new unit be installed without an inspection?
When a brand-new consumer unit is installed with all the latest technology it is the most sensitive equipment that has ever been available to electrical systems. As such, it is designed to detect a range of electrical faults and danger that older fuse boxes were not.
The problem is, the new consumer unit MAY NOT EVEN TURN ON!
That’s right, with the most up to date technology, hidden electrical faults may appear and the trip switches may not stay up or may intermittently trip off, electrical circuits may have to remain disconnected if there are dangers and wiring may have to be replaced.
It’s always best that an inspection is carried out beforehand.
What does the new unit do?
The latest consumer units offer protection against:
Electric Shocks
Over voltages or Power surges
Damaged wires and connections that arc
Overloaded Circuits
Short Circuits
Earth Faults
If you are considering a new consumer unit then get in touch with us today.
As your local ELECTRICIAN IN GOLDEN VALLEY, we have an honest and friendly approach and will ensure that your projects go smoothly whether it’s a new consumer unit or full rewire.
