The consumer unit — often referred to as the fuse board or fuse box — is the heart of your property’s electrical installation. It distributes power to every circuit and, critically, houses the protective devices that prevent electric shock and reduce the risk of electrical fire. If your property still has an old-style fuse board with rewirable fuses, or a consumer unit that lacks RCD protection, upgrading to a modern 18th Edition unit is one of the most important safety improvements you can make.

Myles Electrical carries out consumer unit replacements across Glasgow, Stirling, Falkirk, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, and Ayrshire. Every replacement is carried out by a qualified electrician, fully tested to BS 7671, and certified with an Electrical Installation Certificate.

Older consumer units lack the protective technology that modern units provide. Specifically, they often lack Residual Current Devices (RCDs), which detect earth faults — the type of fault most likely to cause electric shock or fire — and disconnect the circuit in milliseconds. A modern consumer unit with split-load RCD protection or RCBO protection on individual circuits provides a dramatically higher level of safety than a unit with rewirable fuses alone.

Beyond safety, an outdated consumer unit can be a compliance issue. Landlords in Scotland must ensure their electrical installations are safe and certified. Insurers may also require evidence that the consumer unit meets current standards. Replacing an old board removes ambiguity and puts your property on a firm footing for any future inspection.