Electrical blog
Signs You Need to Replace Your Electrical Consumer Unit
Your electrical consumer unit often referred to as a fuse box or breaker panel is the central hub of your home or business’s electrical system.
It safely distributes electricity throughout your property, protects against overloads, and plays a critical role in preventing electrical hazards. But like any part of your home’s infrastructure, it can wear out or become outdated.
At Burbank Electric Company, we know how vital a properly functioning consumer unit is to the safety and performance of your electrical system. Here are key signs it may be time for a replacement—and why you shouldn’t wait.
What Does a Consumer Unit Do?
A consumer unit receives electricity from the main power supply and distributes it to various circuits. Inside are circuit breakers or fuses that interrupt power in case of an overload or short circuit—helping prevent fires, shocks, and damage to appliances.
When it begins to fail, the risks increase. Watch for these signs:
5 Warning Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Consumer Unit
- Frequent Tripping of Circuit Breakers: If your breakers trip often, even without heavy usage, your unit may no longer be regulating electricity properly. This can lead to nuisance outages or worse, fail to trip during a surge, creating a fire hazard.
- Burning Smells or Scorched Marks: Any signs of heat damage, such as a burning odor or black marks near the panel, are urgent warnings. These symptoms indicate overheating or arcing, both of which can result in electrical fires. Turn off power and call a licensed electrician immediately.
- Outdated Fuse Box: Still using a fuse box? It’s time to upgrade. Modern breaker panels offer safer, more efficient protection and are much easier to reset during a trip—no need to replace fuses.
- Insufficient Electrical Capacity: With today’s high-powered devices and appliances, older panels may not be able to keep up. If you’re seeing flickering lights, struggling outlets, or repeated outages, your unit might not have the capacity for your current electrical load.
- Old Age (25+ Years): Consumer units typically last 25 to 40 years. If yours is within or beyond that range—even without visible issues it’s smart to consider a proactive replacement to avoid unexpected failures
Benefits of Replacing Your Consumer Unit
- Greater Safety: Modern units offer superior protection against fire, shock, and overload.
- Improved Reliability: Reduces flickering, outages, and electrical instability.
- Future-Ready: Supports high-energy devices and smart home upgrades.
- Code Compliance: Ensures your system meets the latest regulations.
- Boosts Property Value: Updated electrical systems are appealing to home buyers and inspectors.
Trust Burbank Electric for Professional Panel Replacement
Replacing a consumer unit is not a DIY job. It requires experience, precision, and compliance with electrical codes. At Burbank Electric Company, our licensed electricians are ready to assess, upgrade, and install your new consumer unit safely and efficiently.
- Licensed, Experienced Technicians
- Transparent Pricing
- Code-Compliant Installations
- Safety-First Approach
Don’t wait for a serious electrical failure. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, contact Burbank Electric Company today to schedule a professional inspection and keep your home safe and powered for the future.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Electrical systems can be dangerous if handled improperly. Always consult a licensed electrician for inspections, repairs, or installations. Burbank Electric Company assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.