9. May 2026
Consumer Unit Replacement in Banbury
Consumer Unit Replacement in Banbury With RCBO & Surge Protection Upgrade
A consumer unit upgrade was recently carried out at a property in the Neithrop area of Banbury, replacing an older split-load consumer unit with a modern metal FuseBox board fitted with individual RCBO protection and surge protection.
The new consumer unit now provides improved circuit protection, easier fault finding and compliance with current electrical safety standards.
The Existing Consumer Unit
The original consumer unit was an older split-load design which had been in service for many years. A previous inspection label inside the board showed the installation had last been inspected in 2002, with the next inspection recommended for 2007. Electrical installations should be inspected and tested regularly, ideally around every 5 years for most owner occupied homes.
As with many older electrical installations, the property had been altered and updated over time, resulting in a mixture of older and newer wiring colours within the consumer unit.
Older split-load boards like this were commonly installed for many years and are not automatically unsafe. However, modern consumer units can provide improved protection, easier fault finding and better separation of circuits compared to older designs.
Consumer units are commonly upgraded where:
• Wiring issues identified during an EICR require attention or improvement works
• New circuits are being installed requiring modern Type A RCBO protection
• Kitchen or bathroom upgrades require additional RCBO circuit protection
• Rewires or extension work require additional capacity or modern protection
• Faults are becoming more difficult to trace in older or obsolete boards
• RCDs or MCBs in older boards are no longer available or becoming unreliable
• The existing board no longer meets modern expectations for electrical safety
Regular electrical inspections (EICRs) are recommended to help identify wear, deterioration and potential safety issues before they become more serious problems.
Consumer Unit Changeover and Testing
Once the electrical installation had been safely isolated, the existing consumer unit was disconnected and removed ready for the new board installation.
During consumer unit upgrades, each circuit needs to be carefully identified, disconnected and tested before being reconnected into the new board. In older properties, it is common to find a mixture of older and newer wiring colours due to alterations and additions carried out over many years.
Consumer unit replacements require careful planning and testing throughout the process to ensure circuits are correctly identified and safely reconnected.
As part of the upgrade process:
• The electrical installation was safely isolated before work began
• Existing circuits were disconnected and individually identified
• The old consumer unit was removed and the new board installed.
• Circuits were tested before reconnection into the new consumer unit
• Full testing was carried out after installation was completed
Working carefully during consumer unit changes is important to help ensure circuits remain correctly identified and protected once the new board is energised.
New Consumer Unit With RCBO and Surge Protection
The new FuseBox consumer unit was fitted with individual RCBO protection for each circuit along with a Surge Protection Device (SPD) and a modern metal enclosure.
Unlike older split-load boards, where a single RCD often protects multiple circuits, individual RCBOs help reduce inconvenience by limiting faults to a single circuit rather than affecting multiple areas of the property. If a fault occurs, only the RCBO protecting the affected circuit should trip, helping narrow down fault detection, making fault finding easier and minimising power outages to the rest of the property.
Modern consumer units also provide improved organisation and clearer circuit identification compared to many older boards, making future maintenance and testing more straightforward.
Features of the this new consumer unit installed included:
• Individual RCBO protection for each circuit
• Surge protection device (SPD) fitted
• Modern metal consumer unit enclosure
• Improved circuit separation and fault finding
• Clearer circuit identification and labelling
• Improved overall protection compared to the older board
• A dedicated 20A RCBO installed ready for a future garden shed supply
The additional 20A RCBO was installed during the upgrade so the electrical supply for a planned garden shed can be connected more easily once the building work is completed.
Why Consumer Unit Upgrades Are Often Recommended
Older consumer units are not automatically unsafe and many continue to operate reliably for years. However, electrical standards, protection methods and consumer unit designs have improved significantly over time.
Modern consumer units can provide improved protection against electric shock, overloads and certain fault conditions, while also making future testing and fault finding easier.
Many older consumer units were manufactured with plastic enclosures which, in the event of a serious fault, could potentially melt and ignite combustible materials stored nearby. Upgrading to a modern board can help improve circuit separation and reduce inconvenience if a fault occurs.
Regular electrical inspections can help identify wear, deterioration and potential safety issues before they develop into more serious problems. In many cases, consumer unit upgrades are carried out alongside EICRs, rewires, extensions or other major electrical work.
Consumer unit replacements should only be carried out by a competent qualified electrician and work should be completed by a Part P registered electrical company able to test, certify and notify the installation with the local building control.
Consumer Unit Upgrades in Banbury and Surrounding Areas
RW Currion Electrical carries out consumer unit upgrades, EICRs and electrical testing across Banbury, Adderbury, Bloxham and surrounding Oxfordshire villages.
Whether you are replacing an older fuse board, upgrading protection for additional electrical work or arranging an inspection on a property that has not been tested for many years, all work is carried out safely, neatly and in line with current regulations.
Helpful Resources
• Consumer Unit Upgrades
• EICR and Landlord Certificates
• Fault Finding and Repairs
• Electrician in Banbury
Need advice on an older fuse board or not sure whether your consumer unit should be upgraded? Get in touch — I’m always happy to talk it through.
Arrange your consumer unit upgrade today for improved protection, easier fault finding and a modern electrical installation.
📞 Get Your Free Quote Today! 01295 533378 or 07740 100378