Consumer unit replacement in Colchester
A fuse board without RCD protection in a Colchester house or flat is replaced by Lighting Electrical with a modern consumer unit and a full set of test results.
Calls answered 24/7
- 10 years trading
Cost considerations for a replacement fuse board
We provide clear written pricing before any work begins, so you know the full cost of replacing your consumer unit before we isolate the power.
From £450
Included when agreed
- Isolation of the incoming supply and removal of the existing fuse board
- Supply and fitting of a new consumer unit with RCD or RCBO protection to suit the circuits
- Reconnection of existing circuits and labelling of each way
- Dead and live tests on the circuits that feed from the new board
- An electrical certificate and notification through NAPIT where the work requires it
Ways to pay
- Pay by bank
- Bank transfer
- The price covers safe isolation, the new consumer unit, required breakers, circuit reconnection, testing, and building control notification.
- The overall price changes depending on the total number of circuits, whether surge protection is fitted, and physical access around the cupboard.
- Any pre-existing circuit faults, damaged concealed wiring, or missing earthing bonding found during testing are quoted separately in writing.
Consumer unit replacement across Colchester
We serve Colchester from our base in Peterborough.
What happens on the day
Replacing a consumer unit requires the main electricity supply to be turned off while the old unit is dismantled and the new board is connected. We talk you through the outage before isolation begins.
- Incoming supply checks and safe isolationWe inspect the meter tails, check the main earthing conductor and bonding connections, and verify that the working area is clear. Once safety checks are satisfied, we isolate the main electricity supply so the old enclosure can be dismantled safely.
- Mounting the board and connecting circuitsThe existing casing is removed from the wall. We mount the new metal consumer unit, feed the incoming tails through secure glands, and terminate each circuit cable into dedicated miniature circuit breakers and residual current devices, marking each circuit as it is landed.
- System testing and power restorationBefore switching the power back on, we carry out dead tests on all connected cables to measure insulation resistance and continuity. Power is then restored to conduct live functional tests on breakers and RCD trip mechanisms, ensuring circuits operate correctly.
- Handover and regulatory paperworkWe walk you through the new board layout, explain how to reset tripped switches, and leave you with the required electrical certification. Because we are NAPIT registered, notification is logged directly with building control.
How booking works
Tell us about the job
Tap Book Now and describe the work in the chat. Photos help.
Get your price
You see your price in the chat. A set price is paid at checkout; any other job is quoted first.
Choose your visit
Give your address and when you are free, and the visit is arranged.
Follow your job from booking to receipt
See when we're on our way, get your job report the moment we finish, and pay in seconds.
Track us on our way
See us on the map with a live arrival time.
Your job report, same day
See exactly what was done as soon as we finish.
Invoice and receipt in one place
Pay online in seconds, and your receipt is always there when you need it.
Why choose Lighting Electrical
Valandi KotorriElectrician- Reviews
- 61
- Rating
- 4.7
- Trading since
- 2016
“Ten years on Colchester housing stock and I have seen most of it: terraces where the lighting circuit has been extended once too often, boards fitted before RCDs were standard, new builds with sockets nowhere near the kitchen. I check the earthing, the bonding and whether the supply will carry another load before I price anything, because the age of a house settles nothing on its own.”
Valandi Kotorri, Lighting Electrical
Book NowPhotos of our work
WhatsAppHow long is the power turned off during a fuse board change?
The electricity remains off while the old fuse board is disconnected, the new metal consumer unit is secured to the wall, and the cables are terminated into their breakers. After dead testing confirms that the circuits are safe to energise, the power is switched back on to perform live trip tests. We explain the timing before isolating the supply.
Can a rewirable fuse box be replaced with a modern consumer unit?
Yes. Replacing older rewirable fuse boxes is a standard upgrade. Modern units replace rewirable bridge fuses with miniature circuit breakers and residual current devices, which disconnect instantly under fault conditions and can be reset without handling fuse wire.
Do you supply building regulations certification for the new board?
Yes. Replacing a fuse board is notifiable electrical work. We carry out required testing, provide an Electrical Installation Certificate, and complete the notification through NAPIT so that building control records are updated properly.
Can you change a consumer unit in a rented Colchester home?
Yes. Landlords regularly arrange consumer unit replacements following an unsatisfactory EICR or when tenants report tripping issues. We coordinate the visit around the tenant and deliver the electrical certification directly to the landlord or letting agent once testing finishes.
What happens if an existing circuit has a wiring fault?
Before turning the power back on, we test insulation resistance and earth continuity across every connected cable. If a circuit has an underlying fault, such as damaged wiring in a floor or ceiling, we explain the situation clearly and give you a written price to repair it before energising that circuit.