Do You Need a Consumer Unit Upgrade? Cardiff Homeowner's Guide

Plenty of Cardiff houses still run on a fuse box installed decades ago. Some are perfectly serviceable; some are a genuine risk. Here's how to tell.

Signs your consumer unit is past it - Rewireable fuse wire or old cast-iron casing - No RCD protection (no test button) - Circuits tripping repeatedly for no clear reason - Scorch marks, buzzing or a burning smell - No room for new circuits — EV charger, shower, garden supply

What a modern board gives you Current boards use RCBOs so a fault on one circuit doesn't plunge the whole house into darkness, and increasingly include SPD surge protection and AFDD arc-fault detection where required. Boards must be metal-clad in domestic settings.

EICR first, not last Before you replace a board, the existing wiring needs testing. Fitting a sensitive new unit to tired old wiring simply exposes faults that were previously hidden. An Electrical Installation Condition Report tells you what you're dealing with — and landlords in Wales need one every five years anyway.

Certification matters Consumer unit replacement is notifiable work. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and the work should be notified to building control. Without it, you'll hit problems when you sell.

PHBLUE covers electrical work alongside plumbing and gas across Cardiff. Call 07545 125168.