Can you change consumer unit without rewire?

Yes, if the old installation has been tested and it's up to the current regulations, there is no problem.

Can you put a new consumer unit with old wiring?

You should have an EICR electrical installation condition report done to highlight any faults in the wiring prior to having a new consumer unit fitted . Then these faults can be rectified and then the consumer unit can be installed to current regulations.

Can you install a consumer unit yourself?

Unless you are a qualified electrician, then you should not try to replace your own consumer unit. It is a legal requirement that this type of electrical work is carried out by a certified professional. Beyond that, if done incorrectly, you could injure yourself or put both your family and home at risk.

Should I change my old consumer unit?

There is no need to replace EXISTING consumer units unless defective or otherwise unsuitable for continued use. You do not need a metal consumers unit unless you are replacing the entire old one for some reason e.g full rewire. You can still make alterations to the existing wiring and leave the old board alone.

How much does it cost to change consumer unit?

Depending on your needs, the cost of an upgrade will vary. A standard 40 amp unit to a 63 amp consumer unit will run about £300 to £350, and if you need more power from your fuse box, you'll add about £50 for each additional 10 amps. While a larger 100 amp unit can run up to £470 to £510.

18TH Edition RCBO Fuse Box Board Upgrade, Changing consumer unit, Exotic life of an Electrician

Do I need a certificate for a new consumer unit?

The current legislation for changing a consumer unit/Fuse board is BS7671:2019 18th Edition and this requires that a competent person carry out the replacement and supply you with a Full Electrical Completion Certificate with all the required test results of your system.

Should plastic consumer units be replaced in 2020?

Old style plastic consumer units no longer meet new regulations, however they don't need to be replaced. So long as their safety features are up to date (such as old MCBs updated to RCBOs) and they are fully enclosed in a non-combustible casing, they can remain in the property.

Are old fuse boxes illegal UK?

No, old fuse boxes are not illegal. However, if you do have an old fuse box in your property please consider health and safety. It might not be compliant with current regulations and won't have the latest RCD protection which could save your life.

How long does it take to change a consumer unit?

Replacing a consumer unit or fuseboard in most domestic settings will take between 4 to 8 hours.

Can I fit my own consumer unit UK?

No it must be done by a registered electrician like NAPIT or NIE EIC, as you will need a certificate for the job, shop around as prices can be up to £500 to get it done, you may need a earthing upgrade to your gas and water as well.

Who can change consumer unit?

7 Answers from MyBuilder Electricians

When undertaking a consumer unit change, the electrical contractor is required to ensure the existing wiring is safe for the change. This is because you are changing the characteristics of the existing circuits.

Can you sell a house with an old fuse box UK?

However, even if your property is newer and the wiring has been improved over the years, rewiring it may still pay off. If you notice one or more of the following signs, consider rewiring before trying to sell your house online. You still use an old fuse box. Your wiring includes dated rubber or lead-insulated cables.

Does a 50 year old house need rewiring?

If a property is more than 30 years old and has the original wiring, it is likely to need updating, at least in part, to meet modern standards, including replacing the fuse box with a modern consumer unit. A sign a rewire is necessary, is dated rubber, fabric or lead-insulated cabling.

Does a 1970s house need rewiring?

The majority of 1970s houses do not need rewiring. They will probably just need a consumer unit and earthing upgrade. You may find that the earthing on the lighting circuit is missing and this may lead you to perhaps just wanting to get the lighting rewired.

Does a 1960s house need rewiring?

a house built in 1965 will probably need rewiring as the lighting circuit will probably not be earthed(no requirement for earthing then) and if TT ( over head supply cables) it would be using the gas and water pipes for a main earth instead of an earth rod.

Is it illegal to fit a consumer unit?

If you already have one in a domestic property yes they are legal (And don't worry you don't need to upgrade to a metal one). Since the beginning of 2016 consumer units fitted in a domestic property must be constructed from non-combustible material or housed in a cabinet constructed of non-combustible material.

How do you know if electrics need rewiring?

Are fused consumer units legal?

The consumer unit (colloquially known as the fusebox) must meet the legal requirements from the time it was installed, even if that was some years ago. Therefore if you do have such a fuse box present, then there's not necessarily a specific legal requirement to replace it with a modern electrical consumer unit.

Do landlords need metal consumer unit?

Metal Consumer units have been a requirement in 'NEW INSTALLATIONS' since Amendment 3 to the 17th edition of the wiring regulations. This is not that new, it actually became a requirement for new consumer unit installations as of 1st Jan 2016.

Can I still fit a plastic consumer unit?

Compliance. For the remainder of the year either plastic or metal consumer units can be installed in a domestic premise, although there is nothing precluding earlier compliance with the amended regulations. From 1 January onwards plastic consumer units can still be fitted but only in non-domestic installations.

Can you still use 17th edition consumer units?

These can still legitimately be used in non-domestic situations (e.g. small offices etc) and possibly detached domestic outbuildings. Likewise AC type RCDs might still be OK for some situations - you pays your money and you takes your choice.

Can you sell a house without an electrical certificate?

You do not need to provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in order to sell a property, although it will give your buyer peace of mind that the property they are buying is electrically safe.

Can I still use 17th edition certificates?

However all other 17th edition certificates in all formats will be removed from sale in January. For all registered businesses, designing any new installations after 1st January 2019, your projects will need to be certified using 18th Edition Certificates.