Here's why a fuseboard upgrade for your Bath home might be a wise idea....
Most people (including electricians in Bath) tend to upgrade their phone every few years and 30 year old landline phones are becoming extinct!
The same is true for our cars, a 30 year old car now is a classic and it's typically car enthusiasts that own them and regularly maintain them.
Yet many Bath homes still depend on fuseboards installed decades ago and have NEVER been maintained!
An older fuseboard does not become unsafe because of its age alone. Its condition, protective devices and the wiring connected to it determine whether an upgrade makes sense. An EICR will give you a clear idea.
Signs Your Fuseboard May Need Replacing
Your fuseboard may need attention if it has:
- Rewireable fuses
- A wooden backing
- No RCD protection
- RCD protection that doesn't trip when the test button is pressed.
- Damaged covers or exposed parts
- Signs of heat or burning
- Poor circuit labels
- No spare capacity for new electrical work
A full electrical inspection should be carried out before a fuseboard is upgraded to ensure there are no faults that will cause the new RCDs to trip.
What Does a New Fuseboard Provide?
A new fuseboard will give you RCD protection in the form of an RCBO. This is basically an individual safety switch for each circuit. It does the same thing as a normal RCD and your fuses/circuit breakers.
Should a fault occur and your fuseboard trips, you won't lose power to the entire house.
Surge protection
A surge protection device helps protect boilers, televisions, computers, kitchen appliances and smart-home equipment from short voltage spikes. Recently we had a mega storm and there were loads of lightning strikes in Bath which could cause those voltage spikes. An SPD protects against that.
Modern homes contain far more sensitive electronics than they did when many older fuseboards entered service so it's worth protecting your devices.
What Happens During a Fuseboard Upgrade?
A proper fuseboard replacement involves more than fitting a new box.
The electrician should:
- Inspect and test the existing circuits as recommended by Electrical Safety First.
- This includes a check of the main earthing and bonding.
- Replace the old fuseboard and then re-test the circuits and new RCDs/RCBOs.
- Issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and Notify local building control of the fuseboard replacement.
Testing can uncover existing defects. Damaged cables, poor connections or previous alterations may need repair before an electrician in Bath can complete the upgrade.
How Long Does Fuseboard Replacement Take?
The answer is 'it depends'.
The actual fuseboard upgrade may take just a few hours depending on how many circuits there are. The initial inspection will also be a few hours and paperwork will likely be another couple of hours on top.
More circuits or fuseboards in a hard to work space will take longer.
Your electricity will remain off until your electrician is in a position to re-energise the circuit. A good electrician in Bath will check you don't need power on for things like medical equipment, alarms, work from home requirements etc.
I have an inverter and sockets in my van so I can run small electrical items like a router and computer for a few hours where required.
Choosing an electrician in Bath for your Fuseboard Replacement
Ask for a written quotation that confirms:
- Pre-upgrade EICR
- The type of fuseboard being installed (RCBO or Dual RCD)
- Surge protection
- Electrical certification and building control notification
- The process for handling existing faults
Price alone gives you little basis for comparison. The quality of the testing, specification and installation has a direct effect on the finished job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every old fuseboard need replacing?
No. An electrician should assess its condition, protection and connected wiring before recommending an upgrade.
Will a new fuseboard fix faulty wiring?
No. A new consumer unit can detect certain faults, but the electrician must repair damaged wiring and defective accessories separately.
Do I need a new fuseboard before renovating my kitchen?
You may need an upgrade if the existing board lacks suitable protection, capacity or space for new circuits. The electrician wiring your kitchen renovation will be able to advise based on your specific situation.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. The electrician should provide an Electrical Installation Certificate after completing and testing the work and will give you a building control notification too.
Book a Fuseboard Assessment in Bath
Watt & Co. Electrical provides fuseboard upgrades for homeowners across Bath and West Wiltshire. Each installation includes testing, certification and clear advice about defects found within the existing electrical system.
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