Consumer Unit or Fuse Board?

What's the difference between a consumer unit and fuse board?

Essentially, both a consumer unit and fuse board play the same role in distributing electricity throughout your property based in Cottingham, whilst crucially adding protection from short circuits or overloads which could have disastrous consequences.  

There are slight differences between the two systems. A fuse board is often used to describe older electrical systems which use fuses to protect the circuits within your property. This type of fuse board is no longer installed in the UK and is considered very outdated and unsafe.

Modern day fuse boards are referred to as consumer units, often found in many newer buildings and tend to be the replacement option when upgrading older fuse boards.  

Why install a consumer unit?

There is a greater level of protection offered when opting for a consumer unit. They include devices such as MCBs (mini circuit breakers) and RCDs (residual current devices) which are far more sensitive to fluctuations in current and an overload in power. Immediately kicking in by flipping a switch, creating a break in the circuit. You simply flick the switch back to reset the circuits, conveniently there is no rewiring involved.

Whilst the number of household electrical appliances increases, consumer units are better designed to withstand the capacity and reduce the risk of overloading circuits.

Initial installation costs can be quite expensive and you may need to factor in inspections if the consumer unit is in a rental dwelling in Cottingham.

Why upgrade from a fuse board

Fuse boards do offer a basic level of protection against overloads and in most cases the system is simple to understand. As mentioned above, fuse boards are no longer installed due to the lack of safety features such as electric shock protection. The older style fuse boards were phased out in the 1980’s and certainly wouldn't comply with the safety regulation recommended in BS 7671, the national standard for electrical installation in the UK.

Consumer unit or fuse board?

As a reputable trader in Cottingham, we really do offer our clients our expert advice and recommendations.  

The main priority for us as certified electricians is the level of safety and protection you can achieve through installing a consumer unit. Our friendly team is available to discuss the options to see which is ideal for your home in Cottingham.

A.S. Electrical in Cottingham

As Part P and NAPIT compliant electricians, we are regularly assessed to make sure we meet all safety standards for electrical work. Our experience in the field ensures we comply with all current building regulations which include criteria for new consumer units or fuse boards in Cottingham.