Consumer Unit Consolidation and Upgrade in Helston Property

The electrical system is often overlooked until something goes wrong, yet it’s one of the most critical components of any property. A recent project in Helston perfectly illustrates how consolidating outdated electrical systems can dramatically improve safety and functionality.

Upon arrival at the Helston property, we immediately identified several issues with the existing electrical setup. Multiple consumer units had been installed over the years, creating an unnecessarily complex and potentially hazardous system. The original installation featured separate consumer units controlling different circuits throughout the property.

Prior to commencing any replacement work, we conducted a comprehensive Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to assess the entire system. This thorough inspection allowed us to identify all circuits and establish their conditions. When dealing with older properties, this preliminary assessment is invaluable as it often reveals issues that might otherwise remain hidden.

The existing setup consisted of several dated consumer units with a mix of rewireable fuses and circuit breakers. These older units lacked modern safety features such as RCD protection for all circuits, which are now mandatory under current regulations. Additionally, the multiple units created unnecessary complexity, making fault-finding and maintenance more difficult.

Based on our findings, we recommended consolidating all circuits into a single modern consumer unit. We selected a fire-rated 14-way RCBO consumer unit with an integrated Surge Protection Device (SPD). This modern unit offers several significant advantages:

Firstly, the RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) provide individual protection for each circuit. Unlike older setups where a single RCD might protect multiple circuits, this configuration prevents a fault on one circuit from affecting others. This means that if an issue occurs with, for example, the shower circuit, only that circuit would disconnect, leaving the rest of the property with power.

Secondly, the integrated Surge Protection Device offers crucial protection for modern electronics. Power surges from the grid or lightning strikes can damage expensive electronic equipment. The SPD acts as a barrier, absorbing potentially damaging voltage spikes before they reach devices within the property.

As part of the upgrade, we also replaced the incoming meter tails with 25mm double insulated cabling. These larger cables provide improved current-carrying capacity, reducing the risk of overheating and ensuring the system can handle modern electricity demands safely.

Throughout the installation, we adhered strictly to the current 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). These regulations set the standards for electrical installations in the UK and are regularly updated to reflect advances in technology and safety requirements.

The entire consolidation process required careful planning to minimise disruption to the household. Circuit by circuit, we transferred the electrical connections from the old consumer units to the new consolidated unit, testing each one thoroughly before moving to the next.

After completing the installation, we conducted comprehensive testing of all circuits to verify their correct operation and compliance with regulations. This included earth loop impedance tests, RCD trip time tests, insulation resistance tests, and polarity checks.

The benefits of this consolidation extend beyond mere compliance with current regulations. The property owner now has a more reliable electrical system with improved safety features. Maintenance has been simplified, as everything is now centralised in one modern unit. The added surge protection safeguards valuable electronic equipment throughout the property.

Additionally, having an up-to-date, compliant electrical installation with an EICR certificate can be valuable when selling or insuring a property, potentially increasing its value or reducing insurance premiums.

This Helston electrical installation demonstrates how modernising a consumer unit consolidation can transform a dated, potentially hazardous system into one that meets current safety standards while providing improved functionality for today’s electricity demands.