Advice
What does your consumer unit actually do?
A plain-English starting point for understanding the board, its protective devices and the questions to ask before an upgrade.
It distributes power to the circuits.
The consumer unit connects the home's supply to its individual circuits and contains protective devices. The exact arrangement varies between installations. A clear circuit schedule helps the owner understand the layout; a photograph alone cannot establish the condition of the wiring.
Protection has more than one job.
Different devices protect against different electrical faults. An RCD can disconnect a circuit when it detects current leaking through an unintended path, providing additional protection against electric shock. It does not make every electrical situation safe or replace careful installation and maintenance.
A replacement starts with checks.
A new board does not automatically repair existing wiring faults. Ask what checks are planned before the replacement and how any unexpected findings would be handled. Additional circuit repairs or changes to earthing and bonding should have an agreed scope.
Plan the shutdown and handover.
Replacement requires a planned interruption to power. Discuss equipment that must stay on and agree arrangements before the work starts. Afterwards, ask for an explanation of the controls, circuit identification and the relevant installation documents and notification.
Use the illustration as an explanation.
The interactive board on this demo is a simplified concept, not a wiring diagram or a guide to opening a consumer unit. For questions about your own installation, use a qualified electrician and the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
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