When should you upgrade your consumer unit?

So, when should you upgrade your consumer unit? And why might it need upgrading. Here at DNA Father and Son’s Electrical in Corby, we decided to put together this blog to help answer your questions.

Why should I upgrade my consumer unit?🤔

There are several reasons why you may need to upgrade your consumer unit. These can include:

• Age - Like any other part of your home as consumer unit will wear out with time and use. A consumer unit is designed to last for around 20 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 - For some properties in Corby, their consumer unit may need to be upgraded to meet current regulations including the recently introduced requirement for RCD protection. This may be to allow additional electrical work to be carried out 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 home you may need to upgrade your consumer unit. But why is that? Consumer units 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 consumer unit may not have enough capacity to cope with the increased demands. A new consumer unit will be able to safely handle your household’s growing energy demands and will be equipped with all required safety devices too, including RCD protection. 

What happens during a consumer unit upgrade?⚡

Upgrading your consumer unit is a relatively simple process and will take around a day to complete, depending on the size of your property and the complexity of your circuitry. Before your electrician begins, they will want to inspect your current consumer unit and electrical system. This will ensure there are no nasty or expensive surprises once the upgrade has started. Your electrician will then want to chat to you about your household’s power needs and find out if you have any plans to add to your electrical installation in the future. This will help them to recommend the right consumer unit for your specific needs and ensure that there is enough capacity for any upcoming additions. 

The next step is the installation itself. During the consumer unit installation your electrician will need to turn off your power supply to allow them to work safely. They will disconnect and remove your old consumer unit and install the new one. They will test the system to ensure everything is working safely before they leave. You will be issued with a certificate of installation which confirms the consumer unit complies with current regulations. This can only be done by a registered electrician and is essential in order to meet building regulations.

Who can upgrade my consumer unit?👨‍🔧

A consumer unit upgrade can only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. This is to ensure both your safety and to comply with regulations. A consumer unit upgrade is a complicated task and should never be left to someone who is inexperienced. A poorly installed consumer unit 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.

If your consumer unit is due for an upgrade, or if you have more questions about upgrading a consumer unit, contact DNA Father and Son’s Electrical. Based in Corby we are your experienced, local electrician. Our friendly electricians are fully qualified and NAPIT registered so you can be certain you are in safe hands. Call us today.

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