Fuse board and consumer unit upgrades in the Cotswolds
A fuse board upgrade replaces an old fuse box with a modern consumer unit. The new unit has RCD protection, which cuts the power fast if current leaks to earth. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P. This page explains the job and lists Cotswold firms that do it.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Ridler Electrical LtdLtd company 04518683 | Stroud GL5 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, Landlord EICR, +7 | 07973 745660Website | |
| JDC Electrical & Solar Installations LtdLtd company 17136152 | Stroud GL6 | Solar PV, Lighting, Outdoor power, Consumer units, +2 | 07870303201Website | |
| L E Electrical (Cirencester) LtdLtd company 15677988 | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, EICR, Landlord EICR, EV chargers, +8 | 07971 556527Website | |
| RPB Electrical LtdLtd company 12953884 | Stroud GL5 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, EV chargers, +4 | 07506735568Website | |
| Southam Bros ElectricalLtd company 07588284 | Carterton OX18 | Rewiring, Consumer units, Commercial, Lighting, +7 | 07920 043082Website | |
| CCG Electrical ServicesLtd company 12082537 | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 | EICR, Landlord EICR, Rewiring, Consumer units, +5 | 01451 542 088Website | |
| Connect UK Electrical Services | Witney OX28 | EV chargers, Solar PV, Battery storage, Rewiring, +5 | +44 (0) 7900 220 878Website | |
| Cotswold Lighting CompanyLtd company 07342338 | Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 | Rewiring, Consumer units, Lighting, Smart home, +5 | 01451 810 710Website | |
| Cotswold Sparks | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, Fault finding, EICR, Lighting, +4 | 01285 869065Website | |
| Gifford's Electrical LtdLtd company 12009703 | Witney OX29 | Smart home, Consumer units, Lighting, Rewiring, +2 | 01865 684001Website | |
| High Tech ElectricalLtd company 13763965 | Chipping Campden GL55 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, Smart home, +4 | 01386 570716Website | |
| Quartermain Electrical | Witney OX29 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, Outdoor power, +2 | 01993 880 357Website | |
| Rocome Electrical Contractors LtdLtd company 08323439 | Witney OX29 | Fault finding, Rewiring, Consumer units, EV chargers, +6 | 01993 704582Website | |
| Avis Electrical LtdLtd company 12577515 | Tetbury GL8 | Consumer units, Lighting, Outdoor power, EV chargers, +3 | 07825 543612Website | |
| Cotswold Lighting & Power LtdLtd company 12295073 | Burford OX18 | Lighting, Outdoor power, Consumer units, Rewiring, +4 | 07817 965735Website | |
| Cox Electrical ServicesLtd company 13701764 | Witney OX29 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, Landlord EICR, +6 | 01993 835431Website | |
| Crown Electrical Services | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, Landlord EICR, +4 | 01285 640675Website | |
| ElectricianStroud.co.uk | Stroud GL6 | Rewiring, Consumer units, Lighting, Outdoor power, +3 | 0775 160 5978Website | |
| Eleko LtdLtd company 05512329 | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, EICR, Fault finding, Consumer units, +2 | 07771 775171Website | |
| H.J. Herbert (Electrical Engineers) LtdLtd company 01174357 | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, Lighting, Outdoor power, Consumer units, +3 | 01285 652943Website | |
| R&R Electrical ServicesLtd company 15181011 | Witney OX29 | Consumer units, Emergency call-out, EICR, Landlord EICR, +3 | 07774 711841Website | |
| Beam Electrical | Cirencester | Rewiring, Fault finding, Lighting, Consumer units, +3 | Trading, no register found | 01285 831724Website |
| Kiblec LimitedLtd company 13776406 | Stroud GL5 | Rewiring, EICR, EV chargers, Solar PV, +5 | Trading, no register found | 01453 701010Website |
| New Current | Cirencester | Rewiring, Consumer units, Lighting, Smart home, +4 | Trading, no register found | 01285 895787Website |
| Prestige Heating & Electrical Services | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, EICR, Landlord EICR, Consumer units, +6 | Trading, no register found | 0800 228 9574Website |
| Young Bros Electrical | Cirencester GL7 | Rewiring, Consumer units, EICR, PAT testing, +5 | Trading, no register found | 01285 652016Website |
No firms match. Clear a filter to see more.
What a fuse board upgrade involves
The electrician tests the circuits first, because a new unit can reveal old faults. Then they isolate the supply, remove the old board and fit the new consumer unit.
The new unit has circuit breakers and RCD protection. Many electricians fit RCBOs, which protect each circuit on its own. Then one fault does not cut power to the whole house.
The electrician also checks the earthing and the main bonding to gas and water pipes. Most jobs take a day. The power is off for most of that day.
Local factors in the Cotswolds
Many Cotswold cottages have had parts of the wiring changed over many years. A new unit with RCD protection can trip on old faults that the old fuses did not detect. The electrician may need to find and fix these first.
Some rural homes have a TT earthing system with their own earth rod. These homes need RCD protection on every circuit, and the electrician must test the rod.
Many rural homes have overhead supplies. BS 7671 asks the designer to consider surge protection, so ask the electrician if a surge protection device suits your home.
Signs you need an upgrade
You likely need an upgrade if your board uses fuse wire or has no RCD. Other signs are below.
- An EICR gives a C2 or C1 code that relates to the consumer unit.
- The board has a wooden back, a plastic case under a staircase, or scorch marks.
- You plan a new circuit, such as for an EV charger or shower, and the board has no spare way.
- A trip switch operates often and nobody can find the cause.
The rules
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered electrician on a competent person scheme can self-certify it. You get an Electrical Installation Certificate, and a Building Regulations compliance certificate within 30 days.
BS 7671 sets the technical rules. In homes, a new consumer unit must have a non-combustible enclosure, usually steel. Most socket circuits need RCD protection. The designer must also consider surge protection, and arc fault detection devices in some buildings.
If you are a landlord, a new unit often clears the C2 codes on a landlord EICR. Keep the certificate with your records.
What to ask a firm
Ask what the firm will test before and after the change. These questions help you compare quotes.
- Will you test the circuits before you start, and what happens if you find faults?
- Will you fit RCBOs, or a dual RCD board? Why?
- Do you include surge protection, and do you think my home needs it?
- Will you check and upgrade the main bonding?
- Are you registered to self-certify the work under Part P?
Questions
Is a fuse box with fuse wire illegal?
No. Old boards are not illegal. But they give less protection than a modern unit with RCDs. An EICR shows if your installation is still safe.
Can a handyman change my consumer unit?
Only a competent person should do it. The work is notifiable under Part P. Without a registered electrician, you must tell building control before work starts.
Why does my new consumer unit keep tripping?
A new RCD can find earth leakage that the old board did not detect. Ask the electrician to test the circuits and find the cause.