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New consumer unit being fitted beside an old fuse board in a hallway cupboard

Consumer units and fuse boxes in Reading

Electrical panel upgrade in Reading: new consumer units explained

Replacing an old fuse box or consumer unit in Reading homes, with modern protection and the paperwork that goes with the job. We quote in writing.

  • Plain explanation of what is being fitted and why
  • Circuits tested before and after
  • Certificate and Building Control notification explained

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

What is an electrical panel upgrade in a UK home?

A panel upgrade, as searched in Reading, means fitting a new consumer unit. This is the box where your electricity supply is divided into circuits. In the US it is called a panel, and a 200-amp panel is common there. UK homes are different. The supply is usually single phase and the main fuse is often around 60 to 100 amps, so a new unit changes the protection, not the size of the supply.

A modern unit has RCD protection, individual circuit breakers and a case that does not burn easily. Those features follow the 18th Edition of the wiring regulations, the current national standard for electrical installations. Old rewirable fuse boards and early plastic units lack much of that protection, which is why people replace them.

When should you think about replacing a consumer unit?

These are the usual reasons:

  • The box has rewirable fuses, or a mix of old fuses and breakers.
  • A recent inspection report marked the unit as needing improvement or as unsafe.
  • You are adding an EV charger, a shower or an extension and the unit has no spare ways.
  • The cover is cracked, scorched or the unit buzzes.
  • A smart meter fitter or insurer has flagged the unit.
  • You are about to sell, or you are a landlord preparing a rented home.

Reading has many rented homes, so landlords often meet this after an EICR. The rules for rented homes in England require faults found in a report to be put right within a set time, so it is worth acting early.

What does the job involve, and how long does it take?

Most consumer unit swaps follow the same path. We look at the existing installation and agree what is being fitted. The power is switched off, the old unit is removed and the new one is mounted and wired in. Each circuit is tested and the results are recorded. Then the power is restored and everything is labelled.

For an average house this is often a single day, with the power off for much of it. Plan for fridge freezers, broadband routers and anyone working from home. If testing finds a fault, such as poor earthing or damaged cable, it must be dealt with before the job is signed off, and that can add time. Jobs in Victorian terraces with several rounds of old alterations can be slower than a newer estate home.

We do not publish prices, because the cost depends on the house. These are the main factors.

Size and protection

The number of circuits sets the size of the unit. Individual RCBOs for each circuit cost more than a basic split-load board, and surge protection or arc fault devices add further to the bill.

Condition of what is already there

Earthing, bonding and the cables feeding the old unit all need to be adequate. If they are not, they need work before the new unit goes in.

Position and finishing

A unit in an open hallway is quicker than one behind a cupboard or in a plastered recess. Redecoration afterwards is usually not part of an electrician's price, so ask. For a rough guide to market ranges, see our home page and the cost article on this site.

What paperwork should you expect, and who can do the work?

Fitting a consumer unit is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. Notification goes to Building Control, either through the installer's competent person scheme or directly to the council, and you should receive a certificate once the work is done. Keep it safe, because solicitors and insurers sometimes ask for it.

As advice to you as the customer, ask any electrician which registration scheme they use, check it on the scheme's website and ask for proof of insurance. If your wiring is very old, the best next step may be a full inspection, and in some homes the answer is a larger rewiring project. Our emergency electrician page covers urgent faults.

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Questions about electrical in Reading

Is a 200-amp panel the same as a UK consumer unit?

Not quite. A 200-amp panel is a North American set-up. UK homes usually have a single phase supply with a main fuse in the region of 60 to 100 amps, and the consumer unit divides that supply into circuits and protects them. Upgrading the unit improves safety but does not increase the amount of power the house can draw.

How do I know if my fuse box is out of date?

Signs include rewirable fuse wire, a brown or black box with a mix of old switches, no RCD, or a cracked cover. Labels that have faded or are missing are another clue. The only reliable way to know is to have it inspected by a qualified electrician, who can test the circuits and tell you what needs replacing and what can stay.

Will I lose power for the whole day?

The supply is off while the old unit is swapped for the new one and while the first tests are made. For an average house this is usually part of a day, but we agree timings in advance. Plan ahead for fridges, internet and heating controls, and tell us if someone in the house depends on powered medical equipment.

Do landlords in Reading need a new consumer unit?

Not automatically. What matters is the inspection report. In England, rented homes need an EICR at least every five years, and any faults coded as urgent or needing improvement must be addressed within a set period. If the report says the consumer unit is unsatisfactory, replacement is often the practical answer.

Do I need a new unit before an EV charger?

Sometimes. A charger needs its own protected circuit and enough capacity. If your unit is old, full, or lacks the right protection, it may need replacing first. This is easiest to judge during a survey visit, so ask for it to be checked as part of the charger quote.

How it works

1

Call or request a quote

Tell us what is wrong or what you need.

2

Clear price

We explain the work and the cost before starting.

3

Safe, tidy work

Done properly, tested and cleaned up.

Request panel upgrades

Tell us what you need and we call you back.

No obligation.

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What do you need?

Ready when you are Call now or request a quote online. Call an electrician Get my free electrical quote 01632 960071