Fuseboard Upgrade in Harlow

Fuseboard or Consumer Unit?

When you start looking into upgrading the fuseboard at your Harlow home, you will come across the term consumer unit – often used interchangeably with fuseboard. Consumer unit is the proper name for the modern version of a fuseboard. The difference between the two is quite simple. An old style fuseboard has actual fuses that burn out should there be an electrical issue. A modern consumer unit has a row of switches known as Mini Circuit Breakers (MCBs) that toggle off when they detect a fault. A modern consumer unit is a safer, easier to operate piece of equipment and reacts far quicker to dangerous situations. You will often find the term fuseboard applied to what is actually a consumer unit simply because it is the term most people recognise. 

Parts of a fuseboard

The fuseboard in your Harlow home is made up of a several different components, each of which carries out a specific task. Let’s take a closer look at the main parts of a fuseboard:

Main Switch

The main switch on your fuseboard is what controls the flow of electricity into your Harlow home. It will be easily identifiable and clearly labelled. It is important that you know where to find this switch, as this is what you would use to cut the power in the event of an emergency.

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) protect your homes electrical circuits from the damage that can be caused by power surges. These surges can be caused by overloaded sockets (often due to extension cords), or loose wiring. They are known as overcurrent events and can lead to an electrical fire if they go undetected. The MCBs are a small row of switches on your fuse board which toggle on and off. They should be labelled with the individual circuit they protect, such as upstairs lights. If an overcurrent event is detected, the MCB will trip and cut the power to that circuit, letting you know there is an issue. Once the problem has been rectified, you simply reset the switch and restore power.

Residual Current Device (RCD)

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is an essential, lifesaving feature of your fuseboard. Whilst an MCB is primarily concerned with protecting your circuits, an RCD protects you from the dangers of electric shock. The RCD on your fuseboard switches off the power virtually instantaneously when it detects an anomaly in the current. This occurs when a live wire is exposed. The most common example of this is when a wire is accidently cut or damaged during DIY. The RCD will detect the change is current and cut the power, saving you from a serious shock. If your current fuseboard does not have an RCD, one should be installed as soon as possible.

Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO)

A Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection or RCBO for short combines the functions of an MCB and RCD in one device. They provide the same high levels of protection as an individual RCD or MCB.

Surge Protection Device (SPD)

A Surge Protection Device (SPD) is the part of your fuse board that protects your electrical equipment from damage that can be caused by a power surge. A lightning strike is the most likely culprit for a power surge and can be more common than you imagine. Our homes have become filled with more and more electronics, and these electronic items are vulnerable to damage during a surge. The potential bill for the repair and replacement of these damaged goods can be incredibly high. Many insurers will not cover you for the damage if there is no surge protection in place on your fuseboard. SPDs are now required for all new installations.

Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD)

An Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) is designed to protect you and your Harlow home from the dangers of electrical fire caused by arcing within a circuit. This is known as an arcing fault and is when electrical current jumps or arcs across a gap creating high levels of heat in the process. The arcing creates an abnormal wave pattern which the AFDD is designed to detect. AFDDs can tell the difference between dangerous, abnormal arc wave patterns caused by breaks in a circuit from those that can occur every day - usually when you unplug an electrical device. AFDDs are similar in appearance to both MCBs and RCDs. AFDDs are now legally required in properties such as care homes and HMOs. They are highly recommended as a safety upgrade in all other properties.  

Signs your fuseboard needs upgrading

For most Harlow homeowners, the first signs that their fuseboard needs upgrading are the appearance of some niggling electrical faults. These faults can come and go, and to the untrained eye, can seem to occur for no obvious reason.  

Some of the electrical issues you may begin to notice when your fuseboard needs upgrading include:

• Flickering lights
• Unexplained tripping at the fuse board
• Sockets working intermittently
• Burning smells
• Buzzing coming from the fuse board.

All of these faults can appear to be just minor inconveniences; however, they are often signs that there are larger and more dangerous problems. Call in your local electrician if you begin to experience any issues with your electrics. They will be able to ensure that you and your family are safe and will advise you of your next steps.

Why does my Fuseboard need upgrading?

There are several reasons why you may need to upgrade the fuseboard at your Harlow home. These can include:

• Age – Like any other part of your home, time and use will eventually cause your fuseboard to degrade. On average a fuseboard is expected to last for around 20-30 years. Once it begins to age you may notice signs that it is breaking down such as tripping circuits, buzzing sounds and flickering lights. If you notice any of these signs, call in an electrician as soon as possible.
• To Meet Current Regulations – Sometimes you may need to upgrade your fuseboard to meet current regulations. This may be to allow additional electrical work to be carried out in your home or if you are a landlord of a rental property. 
• Adding Capacity – As we just mentioned, if you are planning any electrical work in your Harlow home you may need to upgrade your fuseboard. Fuseboards are designed to carry specific loads of current. When you add new technology to your home - such as an EV charger, or build an extension, your current fuseboard may not have enough capacity to cope with the new demands. Upgrading your fuseboard means it will be able to safely handle your household’s growing energy demands. A newly upgraded fuseboard will be equipped with all required safety devices too, including RCD protection.

How often should a fuseboard be upgraded?

As we mentioned above, age is the most common reason for carrying out a fuseboard upgrade in Harlow. So how long should a fuseboard last? On average we expect a fuseboard to be in good serviceable condition for around 20 years. There are a few factors that can influence this. The quality of the initial installation, any alterations that have been made to the fuseboard, and how well maintained the electrics in your home are. If any of these are substandard then you may find that your fuseboard needs to be upgraded sooner. The best way to check the health of your fuseboard, and indeed your entire electrical system, is to ask your electrician to carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It is recommended that an EICR is carried out every 10 years for privately owned homes. This will identify any issues with your fuseboard and help keep your home and family safe.

Who can upgrade a fuseboard in Harlow?

A fuseboard upgrade is a big, complicated job and not one that should be attempted by an amateur. Upgrading a fuseboard involves disconnecting and then reconnecting the main electrical supply into your home and safely distributing it through the various circuits. It should only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. This is to ensure both your safety and to comply with regulations. A poorly installed fuseboard will not only fail to protect you from electrical dangers, but it could also be the cause of them. Always choose an experienced, registered electrician to upgrade your fuseboard.

What happens during a fuseboard upgrade?

Upgrading your fuseboard is a large task and will take around a day for your electrician to complete. This will depend on the size of your Harlow home and the complexity of your circuitry. Before your electrician begins, they will look at your current fuseboard and electrical system. This will ensure there are no nasty or expensive surprises once the upgrade has begun. Your electrician will speak to you about your household’s power needs and find out if you have any future plans, such as adding an EV charger. This will help them to recommend the right fuseboard for your specific needs and ensure that there is enough capacity for any upcoming additions. 

After they have made certain everything is in order, the electrician will get to work upgrading your fuseboard. During the fuseboard installation your electrician will need to turn off the electricity to allow them to work safely, so you will need to be prepared to have a few hours where the Wi-Fi won’t work! They will disconnect and remove your old fuseboard and then install the new one, connecting the circuits within your home to the new board. Each circuit will be assigned to an MCB, and these will be clearly labelled. This makes it far easier to identify the source of a fault if you have any problems in the future. They will the test the system to ensure everything is working safely before they leave. Your fuseboard upgrade electrician will issue you with a certificate of installation which confirms the fuseboard upgrade complies with all current regulations. Only a registered electrician can issue such a certificate and it is essential in order to meet building regulations.

Fuseboard upgrade electrician in Harlow

JJB Electrical are your experienced, local fuseboard upgrade electrician in Harlow. Our friendly and professional electricians have carried out many fuseboard upgrades for homeowners and landlords in Harlow. We have the skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out a successful fuseboard upgrade the not only keeps your home and family electrically safe but future proofs it too. 

If you would like to arrange to have the fuseboard at your Harlow home upgraded, or if you have any questions about the process, contact JJB Electrical today.