A recent project in Looe involved replacing an older fuse box with a modern, fire-rated consumer unit. The new installation included individual circuit protection and an integrated Surge Protection Device (SPD). We also carried out a full electrical inspection and testing of the property’s circuits, rectifying any issues to align with current safety regulations.
This project took us to a property in Looe, where the main task was to modernise the central hub of the home’s electrical system – the consumer unit. The existing unit was outdated and lacked the sophisticated safety features found in contemporary installations. Our work began with the careful removal of the old fuse box.
We installed a new, metal, fire-rated 11-way consumer unit that fully complies with the current 18th Edition of the wiring regulations. A significant part of this upgrade was the inclusion of a Surge Protection Device (SPD). An SPD is a vital component for any modern home, as it shields all connected electronic devices from power surges. These voltage spikes, often originating from the grid, can cause serious damage to sensitive equipment like televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances. The SPD acts as a gatekeeper, diverting any harmful excess voltage safely to the earth.
For individual circuit protection, we used RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection). Unlike older setups where one device might protect a bank of circuits, each RCBO is dedicated to a single circuit. This means that if a fault occurs, say with the upstairs sockets, only that circuit will trip, leaving the rest of the house with power. This prevents the inconvenience of losing all your lights and power because of a single faulty appliance.
As part of the installation, the incoming meter tails were upgraded to robust 25mm double-insulated cabling, providing a more resilient connection from the electricity meter to the new consumer unit. We also addressed the property’s earthing system. A new earth rod was driven into the ground outside and connected directly to the consumer unit with heavy-duty 16mm earth cable. This provides a reliable path for fault current to travel safely away, which is a fundamental aspect of any electrical system.
During our initial survey, we had also identified that the boiler supply cable had some basic insulation exposed. This was a potential hazard, so we carefully re-terminated the cable, making certain that all connections were secure and that no single-insulated conductors were visible outside of their enclosure.
With the installation complete, we conducted a thorough Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This process involves detailed inspection and testing of every circuit in the property. It’s like an MOT for the electrics, providing a clear picture of the condition of the wiring, sockets, and switches. Following the successful tests, we were able to produce the necessary Electrical Installation Certificate and submit the building control notification for the work carried out. The homeowners now have a much safer electrical installation, fit for the demands of modern living.
