Safety And Performance
Safety And Performance | Electric Panel Upgrades | Electrical | Manchester
When flickering lights, tripped breakers or the smell of overheated wiring hint at trouble, HEP steps in with expert electric panel upgrades that put safety first and performance at the forefront. Our Manchester-based team replaces outdated fuse boxes with modern load-balanced breaker panels, adds surge protection, and builds in extra capacity for EV chargers, smart-home tech and future circuits—all while meeting the latest BS 7671 regulations.
From the moment we carry out a thermal-imaging inspection to the final tightening of lugs, every stage is handled by certified electricians who respect your schedule and keep downtime to a minimum. You’ll get transparent pricing, a clear timeline, and a workmanship guarantee that lets you power up with confidence, knowing your home or business is protected for years to come.
FAQs
Why should I replace my old fuse box with a modern consumer unit?
Traditional re-wireable fuse boxes found in many pre-1990 Manchester homes lack today’s mandatory life-saving devices such as Residual Current Devices (RCDs) or RCBOs that disconnect the power within milliseconds of a fault. A new metal-clad consumer unit built to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 offers far better fire resistance, individual circuit protection, surge protection devices (SPD) and the capacity for extra circuits. Upgrading dramatically lowers the risk of electric shock, electrical fires and nuisance tripping while making your installation fully compliant with current UK standards.
How can I tell if my property needs an electrical panel upgrade?
Warning signs include frequent blown fuses or tripped breakers, flickering lights when large appliances start, crackling sounds or a burning smell from the fuse box, warm breakers, a lack of spare ways for new circuits, or the presence of cotton-sheathed wiring and re-wireable fuses. If your property was last rewired more than 25–30 years ago or you plan to add high-demand loads (EV charger, heat pump, home office, kitchen refit), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) will confirm whether the existing panel can cope or needs replacement.
What safety regulations must a new consumer unit meet in Manchester?
All replacement consumer units must conform to the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and its Amendment 2. Key requirements include: a non-combustible (metal) enclosure, 30 mA RCD or RCBO protection for virtually all final circuits, SPD protection in most domestic situations, correctly sized MCBs, adequate circuit labelling and safe trunking of tails. Work must be carried out by a Part P-registered electrician (e.g., NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) who can self-certify and provide an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).
Will a panel upgrade improve the performance or efficiency of my electrics?
Yes. By distributing loads over dedicated, correctly rated circuits, a new consumer unit reduces voltage drop, prevents over-loading and curbs nuisance tripping. Appliances run more reliably and sensitive electronics are shielded from damaging spikes by the SPD. Modern breakers have lower internal resistance than old fuses, so marginal energy savings can be achieved, but the biggest performance benefit is future-proof capacity for EV chargers, solar PV, battery storage and heat-pump circuits without costly further alterations.
How long does an electric panel upgrade take, and will my power be off all day?
A straightforward domestic upgrade typically takes 4–8 hours. We isolate the supply, remove the old fuse box, install and neatly terminate the new consumer unit, then complete mandatory dead- and live-testing plus certification. Your power will be off for most of the swap-over period, but we schedule the work at your convenience and can provide temporary extension leads to keep a fridge, router or medical equipment running if required.
Do I need Building Control approval once the consumer unit is replaced?
Yes. In England, replacing a consumer unit is ‘notifiable work’ under Part P of the Building Regulations. As registered electricians, we self-certify the installation, issue you with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and forward a Building Regulations compliance notice to Manchester City Council Building Control on your behalf. Keep both documents safe; they’re essential for homeowner insurance, property resale and demonstrating legal compliance.