Is Your Fuseboard Safe?

5 Warning Signs Your Fuseboard May Not Be Safe

Your fuseboard (consumer unit) is the most important safety device in your home. If it is outdated or faulty, it cannot protect you from electrical fires, shocks, or faults. Use this quick checklist to find out if yours needs attention.

1. Your fuseboard has rewirable fuses instead of switches

If your board has a wooden back, ceramic fuse holders, or fuses that use wire instead of modern trip switches (MCBs), it was installed decades ago and does not meet any current safety standard. These boards cannot detect arc faults, cannot protect against earth leakage, and are a genuine fire risk.

If this is you: Your fuseboard needs replacing. WhatsApp us a photo and we will give you a clear price the same day.

2. You can see green, brown, or black marks on the board

Discolouration around your fuseboard, green goo, brown staining, scorch marks, or melted plastic, means there has been overheating. This is a serious fire hazard that needs urgent attention. Do not wait.

If this is you: Send us a photo immediately. WhatsApp us now. We will prioritise this.

3. Your electrics keep tripping

If your RCD or MCBs trip regularly, your fuseboard may not be able to cope with your home’s electrical demands. Frequent tripping or nuisance tripping is often a sign that your board needs upgrading to a modern split-load or dual RCD consumer unit.

If this is you: Tell us what is tripping and how often. WhatsApp us and we will advise whether a fuseboard upgrade will solve it.

4. You are planning an EV charger, extension, or new circuits

If you are adding an EV charger, building an extension, or adding new circuits to your home, your existing fuseboard may not have enough capacity. Most EV chargers need a dedicated circuit and many older boards simply do not have room.

If this is you: WhatsApp us a photo of your fuseboard. We will tell you whether it needs upgrading and what is involved.

5. You have had an EICR that flagged your consumer unit

If an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) has given your consumer unit a C2 (potentially dangerous) or C3 (improvement recommended) code, action is needed. A C2 means the board should be replaced urgently. A C3 means it does not meet current standards and should be upgraded when practical.

If this is you: Send us your EICR report or tell us what codes were flagged. WhatsApp us for a no-obligation quote.

Not Sure? Send Us a Photo

If you are not sure whether your fuseboard is safe, the easiest thing to do is send us a photo on WhatsApp. We will take a look and tell you honestly whether it needs replacing or not. No charge, no obligation, no pressure.

WhatsApp us a photo of your fuseboard now

MP Electrical is NAPIT registered with 320+ five-star Google reviews. We are based in Rotherham and cover all of South Yorkshire. Every fuseboard replacement comes with full testing, a BS 7671 certificate, and Building Control registration.

Or call us on 01709 645115.

Page last updated: 12 September 2026