Fuse Board vs Circuit Board vs Consumer Unit: What’s the Difference for London Homes?

If you’ve ever spoken to an electrician or read your home’s electrical inspection report, you’ve likely come across the terms fuse board, consumer unit, and circuit board. Many homeowners in London use these terms interchangeably—but are they the same thing?

The short answer is: not quite.

In this article, we’ll break down each term, explain their differences (and overlaps), and help you understand which one matters most for the safety, efficiency, and compliance of your home.

⚡ First, Why Does This Matter?

Whether you're renovating, upgrading your EV charger, or getting a landlord certificate, understanding your home’s electrical control system is key. A modern, safe system can:

1. Prevent electrical fires
2. Improve energy efficiency
3. Comply with UK safety regulations
4. Support smart home features and renewable tech

And at Lumiel, helping homeowners make informed, safe, and future-ready choices is what we do best.

🔌 Fuse Board: The Old School System

A fuse board is the traditional name for what we now call a consumer unit. It was commonly used in UK homes before the early 2000s. A fuse board:

1. Contains fuses that "blow" when there’s too much current
2. Requires manual replacement of fuses
3. Offers minimal protection by today’s standards

👉 If your property still has a fuse board, it’s likely outdated and should be upgraded—especially if you're installing energy-hungry appliances like EV chargers or air conditioning.

Common signs you have an old fuse board:

1. No visible circuit breakers (just fuses)
2. Wooden backing or ceramic parts
3. No RCD (residual current device) protection
4. Flickering lights or frequent blown fuses

🧠 Circuit Board: Not Quite the Same

The term circuit board is often used by non-electricians to describe either the fuse board or consumer unit—but it technically refers to printed circuit boards (PCBs) inside appliances or electronic devices.

Think of your TV, your boiler, or your EV charger—each has its own circuit board. But these aren’t the central electrical panel that manages your whole home.

So, while “circuit board” gets thrown around in DIY conversations, it’s not the same as your home’s fuse board or consumer unit.

⚙️ Consumer Unit: The Modern Standard

The correct, up-to-date term is consumer unit. This is the hub of your home’s electrical system.

A modern consumer unit includes:

1. MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers): Automatically trip when overloaded.
2. RCDs (Residual Current Devices): Cut power when they detect a leak to earth—preventing electrocution.
3. RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection): A combination of MCB and RCD in one.

At Lumiel, we always recommend installing modern consumer units that comply with the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

🏠 Why Upgrading Matters for London Homes

If you live in South West London, many older properties still operate with dated fuse boards. Upgrading to a modern consumer unit isn't just about convenience—it’s about safety, compliance, and future-proofing your home.

Here’s why an upgrade might be necessary:

1. You’re installing solar panels or EV chargers
2. You’re planning a rewire or extension
3. You’ve failed or nearly failed an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
4. Your home insurance requires compliance with modern safety standards
5. You want to protect your family from electrical faults

🔧 What to Expect During a Consumer Unit Upgrade

At Lumiel, here’s how we handle consumer unit replacements for homeowners:

1. Site Assessment: We evaluate your current system, loads, and compliance.
2. Disconnection & Safety Testing: We isolate the old unit and inspect wiring for faults.
3. Installation: We fit a new board using certified components (MCBs, RCDs, or RCBOs).
4. Testing: We test every circuit to ensure safety and compliance.
5. Certification: We issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and notify building control (as required under Part P).

The process usually takes 1 day, and we always aim to minimise disruption with proper floor protection and cleanup.

🧾 How Much Does It Cost?

The cost to upgrade your consumer unit varies depending on:

1. The size of your property
2. Number of circuits
3. Type of protection required (MCBs vs RCBOs)
4. Additional work needed (earthing, bonding, etc.)

As a rough guide:

1. Standard upgrade: £1000 - £1450
2. Advanced RCBO board: £1,450+
3. Includes certification and compliance paperwork

We always provide a transparent, itemised quote with no hidden costs.

🔍 Fuse Board, Consumer Unit, or Circuit Board—Key Takeaways

✅ When Should You Call Lumiel?

1. Your home has a fuse board or ceramic fuses
2. You’re buying/selling a property and need an EICR
3. You’re adding an EV charger, air conditioning or solar panels
4. You’ve experienced tripping circuits, flickering lights, or burnt smells

Our team is fully certified (NICEIC, ECA, City & Guilds), and we guarantee all consumer unit replacements with certification and aftercare.

💡 Final Thought: Don’t Wait for a Fault

Upgrading your consumer unit is not just a box-ticking exercise—it's an investment in safety, peace of mind, and the future of your home.

If you’re unsure what you have, we offer free assessments across South West London, with fast installation slots and expert advice.

📞 Ready to modernise your electrical system?

Contact Lumiel today for a no-obligation quote or to book your home assessment. We’ll help you get up to code—and future-ready.

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