Fuse Box Upgrade

Does your fuse box need an upgrade? Your fuse box is an essential part of your Cwmbran property’s electrical system. 

 It is vital that your fuse box can adequately protect you and your home from electrical fire and shock. If you need a fuse box upgrade in the Cwmbran area, then PG Electrics are your local, experienced fuse box upgrade electrician. Our fully qualified and NICEIC registered electricians will be happy to talk you through your options. 

Do I Need a Fuse Box Upgrade? 

Most Cwmbran homeowners have their fuse box upgraded due to the age and condition of the existing fuse box. An older fuse box will feature fuse wires that melt to cut the power. To restore power, you need to replace the wire within the faulty fuse. This can be a fiddly and frustrating task, especially in the dark! The risk of electrical fire is much higher with this style of fuse box. This is because there is an inevitable delay between the fault being detected and the wire burning through. If your property has an older style fuse box, it will need to be upgraded to keep you and your home safe. It will be replaced with a new fuse box, also known as a consumer unit. This has a bank of small switches or mini circuit breakers. These immediately switch the power off when they detect a fault. It is a simple task to identify the problematic circuit and restore power with a toggle of the switch. A modern consumer unit is safer, easier to use and complies with all current regulations.  

Consumer Unit Upgrade 

For some Cwmbran homeowners, their fuse box needs upgrading not because it is elderly but because their power needs have changed. To upgrade your consumer unit or fuse box to one that better meets your family’s needs, your fuse box electrician will have a few questions. This will help them discover whether a fuse box upgrade is necessary and which type of consumer unit would be best. They may ask: 

• Are you planning on installing any new electrical equipment? 
• Is an extension planned? 
• Would you like to run power to a garden office or workshop? 
• Do you need an EV charger point? 
• Are you planning on upgrading to a more energy efficient heating system such as a heat pump or adding solar panels? 

If you are planning these upgrades, they tell your electrician that you will require increased capacity in your upgraded fuse box. They will advise you which type of consumer unit would be best for your needs. By building this capacity in to your fuse box at this stage, you will avoid having to change it again in the near future. 

What happens during a Fuse Box Upgrade? 

A fuse box upgrade involves several tasks and safety checks for your electrician. The process takes around 4 hours although this will depend on ease of access and the complexities of your circuitry. Your fuse box electrician will identify each individual circuit on your new consumer unit and assign it to a miniature circuit breaker, creating a clear chart for future reference. Your earth bonding and cabling will be inspected and upgraded if necessary. They will carry out full function testing and ensure the installation is compliant with Part P regulations before they leave your property. Your electrician will notify your local building control office and will provide you with a NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate. Before they leave, they will make sure you understand how your new fuse box works.   

If you are looking for a competent and trustworthy electrician to perform a fuse box upgrade in Cwmbran or the surrounding area, then please contact PG Electrics. Our fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians are highly experienced in fuse box and consumer unit upgrades. Call your friendly, local electrician at PG Electrics today.