Fuse Board Upgrade Plymouth – 18th Edition Consumer Unit Installation

Looking for a trusted electrician in Plymouth? I’m Dave Prout, a local electrician with over 15 years’ experience in domestic electrical work across the city. This week, I carried out a fuse board upgrade in Plymouth, replacing an outdated MCB-only consumer unit with a brand-new 18th Edition metal consumer unit fitted with RCBO protection and a Surge Protection Device (SPD). If you’d like me to upgrade your board or carry out electrical testing, call me on 07874 079458 or send a WhatsApp message on +44 7418 633868.

Why the Old Fuse Board Needed Upgrading

The existing installation I found was an older MK unit with MCB-only protection. While these consumer units were acceptable when installed, they no longer meet today’s safety standards. Here are some of the key drawbacks of an older MCB-only fuse board:

Lack of RCD/RCBO protection – Modern regulations (BS 7671, 18th Edition) require circuits to be protected against earth leakage faults. Without RCD or RCBO protection, there is a higher risk of electric shock.
No Surge Protection Device (SPD) – Electrical surges caused by lightning strikes or grid fluctuations can damage sensitive electronics like TVs, laptops, and smart devices. Old boards simply did not include SPD technology.
Plastic enclosure – Older boards often use plastic cases which can present a fire risk. Today, all new consumer units must be made from non-combustible materials such as steel.
Mixed wiring colours – Many older installations have both red/black and brown/blue cabling, which can cause confusion if not clearly identified.
Limited circuit labelling – Over time, older boards tend to lose clear labels, making fault-finding harder and less safe.

The Benefits of a Modern 18th Edition Fuse Board

The new FuseBox 18th Edition consumer unit I installed offers significant improvements in safety, reliability, and compliance. Here’s why upgrading makes such a difference:

Full RCBO protection – Each circuit now has its own independent Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection. This means that if one circuit develops a fault, it trips without affecting the rest of the installation. No more “whole house” power cuts.
Integrated Surge Protection Device – This protects your valuable electronics from voltage spikes and surges, giving peace of mind in today’s tech-heavy homes.
Metal-clad, fire-resistant enclosure – Fully compliant with the 18th Edition regulations, the new steel case is safer in the event of overheating or fire.
Future-proof compliance – With the new board, the installation now meets BS 7671 standards, making it safer and more likely to pass electrical inspections or landlord certification checks.
Neat, professional finish – The new unit has tidy, well-labelled circuits, making maintenance and future work easier.

My Process – From Old to New

Here’s a quick overview of how I carried out the upgrade in Plymouth this week:

Initial testing and inspection – Before touching the old board, I carried out full tests on the circuits to ensure safety and identify any underlying issues.
Safe isolation – I disconnected the supply and made the area safe for work, following BS 7671 safe isolation procedures.
Removal of the old MK consumer unit – The MCB-only board was carefully disconnected, noting the existing circuits and ensuring no damage to wiring.
Installation of new FuseBox consumer unit – A brand-new metal-clad 18th Edition unit was fitted with RCBOs for each circuit and an SPD at the origin.
Re-termination and labelling – All circuits were terminated into their new protective devices, tested, and neatly labelled for clarity.
Testing and certification – Final test results confirmed the installation met BS 7671 standards. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) was issued to the client.

Why Choose a Fuse Board Upgrade?

If your home still has an older fuse board or an MCB-only consumer unit, upgrading is one of the best investments you can make for electrical safety. A fuse board upgrade in Plymouth ensures:

Improved protection for people and property
Compliance with the latest Part P and BS 7671 regulations
Better resilience against nuisance tripping
Future-proofing your home for additional circuits and modern appliances
A professional, neat finish from a trusted local electrician

Fuse Board Upgrade Plymouth – Get in Touch

I carry out consumer unit replacements across Plymouth, specialising in safe, compliant, and VAT-free installations for homeowners. Whether you’re a landlord needing certification, or a homeowner looking to improve your property’s safety, I can help.

Contact me today to arrange a quotation or site visit:

Final Thoughts

This week’s upgrade was a perfect example of why replacing an old board is so important. The new RCBO and SPD protected FuseBox unit provides a massive improvement in safety and reliability compared to the outdated MK consumer unit. If you’re in Plymouth and need an electrician you can trust, I’d be delighted to help.