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Fuse board replacement in St Albans.
New consumer units fitted by our own NICEIC-approved electricians: RCD and RCBO protection, surge protection where needed, tested, certified and notified under Part P.
SEG replaces fuse boards (consumer units) in homes, flats, rented properties and small businesses across St Albans and Hertfordshire. The work is done by our own NICEIC-approved electricians, tested before and after, and certified, with the Building Regulations notification handled for you.
Fuse board replacement in St Albans: signs it is time
- Old rewireable fuses, or a mix of fuses and old circuit breakers
- No RCD protection, often recorded as a defect on an EICR
- A plastic consumer unit, or a board mounted on a wooden backboard
- Scorch marks, a burning smell, buzzing or a board that feels warm
- Trips you cannot trace, or no spare ways for new circuits
- You are adding an EV charger, solar panels, a kitchen or an extension
What a new consumer unit includes
We size and specify the board for the property and how you use it, not a one-size package:
- A metal (non-combustible) enclosure, as BS 7671 requires in homes
- RCD or RCBO protection, so a fault on one circuit is cut off quickly and, with RCBOs, without taking out the rest of the house
- Surge protection where it is needed, which it is in most homes under the current wiring regulations
- Arc fault detection (AFDDs) where required, for example on socket circuits in HMOs and care homes, and where you choose them elsewhere
- Spare ways for future circuits, such as an EV charger or a garden office
- Clear labelling of every circuit
We also check the earthing and bonding to the gas and water pipes. If they are not up to standard, we tell you and put it right as part of the job or quote it first.
On the day
- Before we start, we test the existing circuits so any faults are found and explained.
- The power goes off while the new board is fitted. We tell you roughly how long, so you can plan around the fridge, freezer and working from home.
- We fit, connect and label the new consumer unit.
- Every circuit is tested and the results recorded.
- You get the paperwork: an Electrical Installation Certificate, plus the Building Regulations compliance certificate once the work is notified.
We photograph the finished board for your records, and ours.
For landlords and letting agents
A failed EICR is often down to the fuse board: no RCD protection, an unsuitable enclosure or damage. We can replace the board, retest and issue the updated paperwork, so you can show the remedial work has been done within the deadline on the report.
Fuse board questions we’re asked
What is the difference between a fuse board and a consumer unit?
Nothing. They are the same thing. Consumer unit is the trade name; most people call it the fuse board or fuse box. It is the box, usually near the meter, that splits your supply into circuits and protects each one.
How do I know if my fuse board needs replacing?
Common signs are old rewireable fuses (the ones with fuse wire), no RCD protection, a plastic unit on a wooden backboard, scorch marks or a burning smell, a board that trips often, or an EICR that has recorded no RCD protection as a defect. Adding an EV charger, solar panels or an extension is also a common reason to upgrade.
How long does a consumer unit replacement take?
Usually most of a day in a typical home, and the power is off for much of that time. We test every circuit before and after, so a larger property or one with faults can take longer. We agree the timing with you beforehand.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As an NICEIC-approved contractor we issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and notify the work, and you receive the Building Regulations compliance certificate.
Why do RCDs sometimes trip after a new board is fitted?
A new board with RCD protection can show up faults that an old fuse board hid, such as damaged cables, damp in an outside light or a faulty appliance. We test before we start and tell you what we find, so there are no surprises. Faults found are explained and quoted separately.
Does a new consumer unit need to be metal?
In homes, yes. Since 2016 BS 7671 has required consumer units in domestic premises to have a non-combustible enclosure, normally steel. Most older plastic units do not meet that.
Do you replace fuse boards in rented properties?
Yes. We work for landlords and letting agents across St Albans and Herts, often as the follow-on from an EICR. We can liaise with tenants for access and send the certificates straight to you.
Last updated 10 October 2026.
Need it done by a date?
Tell us the deadline. We’ll tell you honestly whether we can hit it — and we usually can.