Your consumer unit (often referred to as a fuse box) is probably the most important safety device in your home. Its purpose is to protect you,  your loved ones and your property in the event of an electrical fault. In the last 20 years or so technology with consumer units has progressed significantly and as a result the wiring regulations (BS7671) has also changed periodically to reflect these changes. 

The old fuse type boards are no longer seen as an efficient and reliable means to protect you or your electrical installation due to their poor tolerance ratings, response levels and slow operation times. The newer consumer units are fully RCD protected which optimises the safety of your electrical installation, whilst minimising inconvenience in the event of a fault. New consumer units also offer fire protection and surge protection as standard for your peace of mind. 

What are RCDs ? 

RCD’s (residual current devices) are essential safety devices and all final circuits should always be protected by them, with few exceptions, especially in locations such as bathrooms, kitchens and external applications. They are particularly essential on socket circuits where you may come into direct contact with faulty electrical appliances, a shower circuit or wherever there is presence of water. It is also recommended that modern metallic light switches and fittings also have supplementary RCD protection. Should one of electrical appliances or metallic fittings become live an RCD will detect these dangerous  current inbalances and disconnect the circuits within milliseconds. 

What does fire rated mean?

All modern consumer units are made of a non combustible fire rated material which restricts the spread of fire.

What is an S.P.D ?

A surge protection device (S.P.D) is a safety device which is designed to protect you and your property under surge fault conditions. All main consumer units which I replace today come with S.P.D’s as standard. 

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