Consumer Unit Installation | 18th Edition Amendment 2 | C-Lec Electrical
Consumer Units • Specialists

Consumer Unit
Installation and Upgrades

Replace tired old fuse boxes and split-load consumer units with full RCBO 18th Edition boards. Per-circuit fault isolation, surge protection (SPD) where required, AFDD on bedroom circuits and full BS 7671 compliance. Most upgrades fitted in a single day with NAPIT building control sign-off.

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From: £545 Standard Upgrade
Compliance: BS 7671 18th Edition
Approval: NAPIT & Part P Approved
At a glance

The consumer unit (fuse box) is the heart of your electrical system. Older boards (pre-2008 with rewireable fuses, pre-2018 with no surge protection) do not meet current 18th Edition Amendment 2 standards. Modern boards use individual RCBOs per circuit which means a fault on one circuit doesn't trip the whole half of the property. We replace consumer units in a single day with full PIR testing on existing wiring, surge protection devices fitted as standard from 2022 onwards and AFDD where regulations require it on bedroom circuits.

Why this matters

Old consumer units fail every EICR for good reason

If your property has a wooden-backed fuse board with rewireable fuses, you are on equipment last suitable for the 1970s. Even split-load RCD boards fitted between 2008 and 2017 have a problem: one fault trips half the consumer unit, killing lights and sockets across multiple rooms simultaneously. The 18th Edition (in force since 2018, amended in 2022) requires individual RCBO protection on every circuit and SPD surge protection on the main switch.

We replace boards properly: full pre-test of every existing circuit before swap, modern Amendment 2 compliant board with RCBO per circuit, surge protection device included as standard, AFDD arc-fault protection on bedroom and HMO socket circuits, full earth bonding verified and complete BS 7671 testing on every circuit before sign-off.

  • Individual RCBO per circuit, faults isolate to one room not half the house
  • Surge protection (SPD) included as standard on every install
  • AFDD on bedroom circuits where regulations require
  • Full BS 7671 testing on every existing circuit before connecting
  • NAPIT building control notification within 30 days
RCBO Per-Circuit Protection on Every Modern Board
NAPITRegistered
Part PApproved
SPDSurge Protection Standard
AFDDArc-Fault Compatible
BS 7671 18th Ed Amendment 2 Compliant
Consumer unit basics

The numbers behind
a modern board

A few specs decide whether your consumer unit meets current regulations and protects your property properly.

30mARCD

Trip Current

Mandatory 30mA RCD protection on every circuit. Earth fault current at 30 milliamps cuts power within 40 milliseconds, saving lives.

RCBOper

Per-Circuit Standard

Modern boards use one RCBO per circuit. Fault on one circuit isolates to that one circuit only. Old split-load boards lose half the house.

SPD+

Surge Protection

Surge Protection Device required on most modern installs to protect electronics from lightning strikes and grid surges. Included as standard.

1day

Typical Install

Most domestic consumer unit upgrades complete in a single day. Power off for 4 to 6 hours total during the swap.

What we install

Every type of
consumer unit upgrade

Standard Domestic Upgrade

Replace existing board with modern 18th Edition Amendment 2 compliant unit. Full RCBO per circuit, surge protection (SPD) and metal enclosure to current regs.

From £545 typical

Larger Property & Dual

Twin or larger consumer units for bigger homes (4 bed plus), homes with EV chargers and Solar PV plus HMOs needing dedicated landlord and tenant supplies.

From £895 typical

Surge Protection (SPD)

Type 2 surge protection devices fitted in the main switch position. Protects sensitive electronics from lightning surges, grid switching surges and EV charger backflow.

Standard inclusion

Arc Fault (AFDD)

Arc Fault Detection Devices required on bedroom circuits, HMO sockets and care homes. Detects dangerous arcs before they become fires. Now common best practice everywhere.

From £145 per circuit

Commercial 3-Phase

Three-phase distribution boards for commercial premises, workshops, light industrial units and properties with high-load equipment. Sized to building demand calculations.

Quoted on load

Repair & Sub-Boards

Fault-finding on existing boards, replacing tripped or damaged RCBOs, adding sub-boards for garages, outbuildings, garden offices and EV charging dedicated supplies.

From £145 callout
Consumer unit packages

Three packages by
property size and spec

Three honest packages covering the most common domestic consumer unit upgrades. Bespoke pricing for commercial, 3-phase and HMO boards.

Essential

Standard 10-Way

£545 From, flat or 2 bed
  • 10-way metal consumer unit
  • RCBO per circuit (up to 8 circuits)
  • Surge protection (SPD) included
  • Full pre-installation testing
  • EIC certificate issued
  • NAPIT building control sign-off
  • 1 year warranty
Choose Essential
Most Popular Premium

14-Way Full Spec

£795 From, typical 3 bed
  • 14-way metal consumer unit
  • RCBO per circuit (up to 12 circuits)
  • Surge protection (Type 2 SPD)
  • AFDD on 1 bedroom circuit
  • Earth bonding verified
  • Spare way for future EV charger
  • 2 year warranty
Choose Premium
Pro

Pro Whole-House

£1295 From, larger property
  • 18-way or twin consumer unit
  • RCBO per circuit (up to 16 circuits)
  • Type 1+2 surge protection
  • AFDD on all bedroom circuits
  • EV charger ready way included
  • Solar PV ready connection
  • 3 year warranty
Choose Pro
How it works

From fault test to certified
install in five clear steps

1

Free Pre-Test

We test every existing circuit for insulation resistance, earth loop and continuity to make sure the wiring will accept a new RCBO board.

2

Honest Recommendation

If the wiring is sound, we recommend a board upgrade. If circuits would fail under RCBO protection, we tell you what needs fixing first.

3

Fixed Quote

Written fixed-price quote covering board, RCBOs, SPD, AFDD where applicable, install labour and certification. No surprise extras.

4

Install Day

Most jobs done in a single day. Power off for 4 to 6 hours during swap. Old board safely disconnected, new board fitted, every circuit tested.

5

Test & Certify

Full BS 7671 testing, EIC certificate issued, NAPIT building control sign-off within 30 days. RCBO labelling and circuit chart fitted to door.

Old fuse box still in?

Free Pre-Test,
Fixed Quote

Most consumer units are surveyed within 48 hours and replaced in a single day. We pre-test the existing wiring before quote so there are no surprises on the day of the install.

18th Ed Amend 2 compliant • SPD standard • NAPIT signed off
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Common issues

Consumer unit problems
we are called to fix

A snapshot of consumer unit issues we are most often called to fix. Most flag as immediate fails on EICR inspections.

!Wooden Back PanelPre-2008 fire risk, immediate replace
!Rewireable FusesSlow blow, no RCD protection
!No RCD ProtectionMandatory on most circuits
!Plastic EnclosureShould be metal post-2016
!Split-Load Lose Half HouseShould be RCBO per circuit
!No Surge ProtectionRequired on most modern installs
!No Earth BondingPipes not bonded to MET
!Frequent TripsFault somewhere on circuits
!No Circuit ChartDon't know which is which
!Mixed ManufacturersWrong MCB in another brand's board
!Loose TailsHeat damage at meter side
!Burnt SmellInternal fault, immediate isolate

If your consumer unit shows any of these. We can swap and certify in a day.

Why C-Lec

Pre-tested, properly
specced, fully certified

Test

Pre-Test Before Swap

Every existing circuit pre-tested before quote. No surprises on install day. If circuits will fail under RCBO, we know upfront and quote accordingly.

Spec

Amendment 2 Compliant

Every board fitted to 18th Edition Amendment 2 (in force since March 2022). RCBO per circuit, SPD surge protection, AFDD where required.

Brand

Quality Manufacturers

Hager, Schneider, MK Sentry, Wylex domestic. Hager Invicta and Schneider Acti9 commercial. We don't fit budget brands that fail under load.

Cert

NAPIT Sign-Off

Full BS 7671 certification, EIC issued and NAPIT building control notification within 30 days. Compliance pack handed over before we leave.

Areas we cover

Local cover across
Bedfordshire, Bucks & beyond

We are based in Bedford and cover the wider region for domestic and commercial work. The majority of our jobs come from these towns:

MKBedford & Surrounding Villages MKMilton Keynes (All Postcodes) MKKempston & Wixams MKAmpthill & Flitwick NNNorthampton NNWellingborough & Rushden LULuton & Dunstable LULeighton Buzzard SGBiggleswade & Sandy PESt Neots & Huntingdon HPAylesbury & Tring CBCambridge Outskirts
Frequently asked

Consumer unit questions, answered fast

How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost?
A standard domestic consumer unit upgrade starts from £545 fully installed for a 10-way board with RCBO per circuit and surge protection (SPD). A typical 3 bed full-spec install with 14-way board, AFDD on bedrooms and EV-ready spare way costs around £795. Larger properties with twin boards or commercial 3-phase units quoted on the actual load demand. All include full BS 7671 testing and NAPIT certification.
Do I need to upgrade my consumer unit?
Probably yes if your board is more than 15 years old. Wooden-backed boards pre-2008 are an immediate fire risk. Plastic boards pre-2016 don't meet the 18th Edition metal enclosure requirement. Split-load boards pre-2018 don't have per-circuit RCBO protection. The 18th Edition Amendment 2 (March 2022) added surge protection (SPD) requirements as well. We pre-test the existing wiring and tell you whether an upgrade is essential or just sensible.
What is RCBO and why is it better than RCD?
RCD (residual current device) protects multiple circuits at once. If one circuit faults, all the circuits behind that RCD trip out together. RCBO (residual current breaker with overcurrent) is one device per circuit. A fault on the kitchen ring isolates only the kitchen, leaving the lights, sockets in other rooms and the boiler all running. Modern boards use RCBO per circuit as standard for this reason.
What is SPD surge protection?
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) protect against transient voltage surges from lightning, grid switching and large appliance startups (especially EV chargers). The 18th Edition Amendment 2 (March 2022) made SPDs required on most new and upgraded consumer units. They protect everything plugged into your home: TVs, computers, smart appliances, washing machines. Damage from a single surge can run into thousands so the £85 device pays for itself easily.
What is AFDD and where do I need it?
AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices) detect dangerous electrical arcs before they become fires. The 18th Edition recommends AFDD on bedroom circuits, HMO sockets, care homes and care premises. Many electricians fit them on all bedroom circuits as best practice. They cost an additional £145 per circuit but provide protection against the type of fault that causes most domestic electrical fires.
How long does the install take?
Most domestic consumer unit upgrades are completed in a single day. Power off for 4 to 6 hours during the actual swap. We coordinate with you on timing, ideally not over a working-from-home day. Larger properties or twin-board installs may take a day and a half. Commercial 3-phase boards typically two days.
Do you need to notify my electricity supplier?
No. Consumer unit replacement is on the customer side of the meter so no supplier notification needed. We do however require Part P building control notification through our NAPIT competent person scheme registration which we handle automatically within 30 days of completion. If the meter tails need replacing as well (often the case on older installs) we coordinate with your DNO at no cost to you.
Can you fit a consumer unit ready for an EV charger?
Yes and we recommend it where you might add an EV charger in the next few years. We fit a board with at least one spare way reserved for the future EV circuit, run the supply cable to the planned charger location during the upgrade and leave it terminated for fitting later. Adding an EV charger to a properly prepared consumer unit takes 30 minutes and costs around £150. Doing it after the consumer unit is already cramped costs much more.
Book your consumer unit upgrade

Consumer Units,
Upgraded in a Day

Free written quotes, NAPIT registered, every board specified to 18th Edition Amendment 2. Most domestic consumer unit upgrades surveyed within 48 hours and completed in a single day.

Call Today Get a Quote