Consumer Unit Upgrades in Littlehampton & West Sussex

There are a few clear signs that your electrical board is past its best. If your fuse box has a wooden back, a mixture of different circuit breakers, or if you still have to "rewire" a fuse with a piece of wire when it blows, it is definitely time for an upgrade. You might also notice lights flickering or a faint smell of plastic getting warm. These old units often lack the vital safety components found in modern systems. If you're unsure, our Littlehampton electricians can take a quick look and let you know if your current setup is still up to the job.

The main difference is how they protect you. An old-style box is designed to protect your cables from melting, but it doesn't do much to protect people. Modern consumer units come with RCD protection. These are life-saving switches that trip the power in a fraction of a second if they detect a leak of electricity, such as if someone touches a live wire. Moving to a new unit brings your home up to the latest BS 7671 safety standards, giving you much better protection against electric shocks and house fires.

Most of the time, we can swap out a fuse board in about four to six hours. We will need to turn your electricity off while we do the work, so we always plan this with you in advance so you can get the kettle boiled or finish any important work first. Once the new board is on the wall, we don't just walk away. We carry out thorough electrical testing on every circuit in your home to make sure everything is safe before we sign the job off.

When we talk about consumer unit upgrades, we often mention RCBOs. In the past, one safety switch might control half of the house. This meant that if a single lightbulb popped, your whole downstairs might go dark, including your fridge and your Wi-Fi. With RCBOs, each circuit has its own individual protection. If there is a fault in the kitchen, only the kitchen turns off. It makes your home much more convenient and easier to manage if a fault ever happens.

Yes, absolutely. Every domestic electrical service we provide at Sussex Brown Sparks is carried out to the 18th edition of the wiring regulations. This is the current legal standard for electrical work in the UK. When we finish your upgrade, we provide you with an electrical installation certificate. You’ll need this paperwork if you ever sell your home or if you’re a landlord looking to meet your legal obligations.

We pride ourselves on being transparent with our pricing. The cost can vary slightly depending on how many circuits you have and the condition of your existing wiring. We don't believe in hidden fees or surprise costs. We'll visit your property in Littlehampton or the surrounding West Sussex area, have a look at what's needed, and give you a clear, fixed quote. This way, you know exactly what you're paying for before we even pick up a screwdriver.