Is your old fuse box a fire hazard?
Plenty of Blackpool homes still run on consumer units installed in the 70s and 80s. Most aren't an emergency — but a few are genuinely dangerous. Here's how to tell.
Red flags on an old fuse box
- Wooden back board — banned in modern installs; combustible material right next to live conductors.
- Rewireable fuses (porcelain holders with fuse wire) — slow to trip, no shock protection.
- Cast-iron switchgear with no RCD — pre-dates current shock-protection regs by 30+ years.
- Brown scorch marks around any fuse holder — stop and call us today.
- Burning bakelite smell from the cupboard — isolate at the main switch and call.
What the 18th Edition actually requires
Modern installations need RCD protection on all final circuits and, since the 18th Edition amendment 2, consumer units in domestic premises must be metal (non-combustible). That doesn't mean every old plastic board is illegal — it just means a replacement today will look very different.
What we typically fit in Blackpool
A standard upgrade is a metal-clad dual-RCD or full RCBO board, surge protection device (SPD), and a fresh certificate. We re-terminate every circuit, do a full insulation resistance test, and check the earth bonding to gas/water at the same time.
Cost
Most Blackpool consumer unit upgrades land between £400 and £650 depending on board size, RCBO vs dual-RCD, and whether earth bonding needs uprating. Full price list on our pricing page.
Do I have to upgrade?
If your existing board is safe and an EICR comes back satisfactory, no. But if you're planning solar, an EV charger, or a kitchen rewire, an upgrade usually pays for itself by avoiding mid-job surprises.