An outdated consumer unit (fuse box) is one of the most common EICR findings in East London properties. Here's when you need an upgrade, what's involved, and what it costs.

One of the most common findings on an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) in East London properties is an outdated consumer unit — also known as a fuse box or fuse board. Older consumer units without modern RCD (Residual Current Device) protection are a C2 finding on an EICR, meaning they're potentially dangerous and require urgent remedial action.

What Is a Consumer Unit and Why Does It Matter?

The consumer unit is the heart of your property's electrical installation. It distributes electricity from the mains supply to individual circuits throughout the property, and provides protection against overloads, short circuits and earth faults. Modern consumer units contain MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) and RCDs or RCBOs — devices that trip automatically to protect against electrical faults.

Older consumer units — particularly those with rewirable fuses or early MCBs without RCD protection — don't provide the same level of protection as modern units. The 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) requires RCD protection on most circuits in domestic properties, meaning older units are increasingly likely to produce C2 observations on an EICR.

Signs Your Consumer Unit Needs Upgrading

• Your consumer unit has rewirable fuses rather than MCBs
• There is no RCD protection (no test button on the unit)
• The unit is more than 25 years old
• Your EICR has returned a C2 code relating to the consumer unit
• Breakers trip frequently or don't reset properly
• The unit is made of metal (older metal-clad units are no longer compliant)
• You're adding new circuits (EV charger, solar PV) that require a modern unit

What Does a Consumer Unit Upgrade Involve?

A consumer unit upgrade typically takes half a day to a full day depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits. The process involves isolating the mains supply, removing the old unit, installing the new consumer unit, reconnecting all circuits, testing every circuit, and issuing an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) on completion.

Under Part P of the Building Regulations, consumer unit replacements must be notified to Building Control. As a NICEIC-approved contractor, KLIC ELECTRICAL can self-certify this work — meaning you don't need to separately notify Building Control. We handle all the certification paperwork.

Consumer Unit Upgrade Costs in East London

• 1–2 bed flat: from £350–£450
• 3 bed house: from £450–£550
• 4+ bed house: from £550–£700
• Prices include all materials, labour, testing and certification
• Additional cost if rewiring of individual circuits is required

Consumer Unit Upgrades Across East London

KLIC ELECTRICAL carry out consumer unit upgrades throughout East London — from the Victorian terraces of Walthamstow and Leyton to the modern apartments of Stratford and Canary Wharf. If your EICR has flagged your consumer unit, or if you're planning to add new circuits for an EV charger or solar PV system, get in touch for a fixed-price quote.