A Recent Consumer Unit Upgrade Project in Worthing
Peter in Worthing contacted us to modernise his electrical installation and improve safety throughout the property. On the surface, the project appeared to be a straightforward consumer unit replacement. However, as is often the case with older installations, further investigation uncovered several issues that required attention before the new boards could be safely energised.
Essentially, replacing a consumer unit is not just about installing a new fuse board. It is an opportunity to assess the condition of the installation and identify any safety concerns that may have developed over many years. This is something we regularly encounter when carrying out consumer unit upgrades across Worthing and the surrounding areas.
The Existing Installation
The property had multiple older-style consumer units and associated switchgear which no longer met current standards.
As part of the upgrade, these older boards were removed and replaced with modern consumer units featuring:
- Individual RCBO protection
- Surge protection devices (SPD)
- Improved fault protection
- Better circuit identification
- Compliance with current wiring regulations
Whilst the replacement itself was relatively straightforward, the testing process highlighted several issues elsewhere within the installation.
Garage Supply Found to Be Unsuitable
One of the most significant findings involved the electrical supply feeding the detached garage.
Upon inspection, we discovered that the garage was supplied using twin and earth cable installed externally.
Whilst twin and earth cable is commonly used within properties, it is not designed to be exposed to outdoor conditions. Over time, exposure to sunlight, moisture and temperature fluctuations can cause deterioration of the cable's outer sheath.
Therefore, before the installation could be certified, the garage supply required upgrading.
The Solution
We installed a new steel wire armoured (SWA) cable to supply the garage.
Armoured cable is specifically designed for external installations and provides:
- Mechanical protection
- Improved durability
- Resistance to weather conditions
- A safer long-term solution
This upgrade ensures the garage supply is now suitable for the environment and capable of providing reliable service for many years to come.
Missing Main Protective Bonding
During testing, we also identified that the property did not have adequate main protective bonding to the incoming water and gas services.
Main bonding is one of the most important safety features within an electrical installation, yet it is often overlooked because it is not immediately visible.
Its purpose is to reduce dangerous voltage differences between metal services and the electrical installation in the event of a fault.
Without proper bonding, fault conditions can create a significantly increased risk of electric shock.
What We Did
We installed compliant bonding conductors to:
- Incoming water services
- Incoming gas services
This brought the installation into line with current safety requirements and formed an essential part of the consumer unit upgrade.
Unsafe Garage Lighting Wiring
Whilst carrying out our inspection of the garage installation, we uncovered another issue.
The garage lighting circuit had been installed using single insulated conductors.
Single conductors should only be used when they are contained within suitable containment systems that provide mechanical protection. In this case, they were being used in a manner that did not provide adequate protection and did not comply with current wiring regulations.
As a result, the garage lighting circuit required rewiring.
The Solution
We rewired the garage lighting circuit using suitable cable and installation methods.
This ensured:
- Adequate mechanical protection
- Improved reliability
- Compliance with current regulations
- A safer installation for the homeowner
Why Consumer Unit Upgrades Sometimes Cost More Than Expected
This project highlights something we always explain to customers before starting a consumer unit replacement.
A new consumer unit cannot simply be fitted and certified if existing faults are present elsewhere in the installation.
Current regulations require electrical contractors to verify that the circuits connected to a new consumer unit are safe. Therefore, if defects are discovered during testing, they must be addressed before certification can be issued.
For example, issues such as:
- Missing bonding
- Damaged cables
- Unsafe wiring methods
- Poor previous alterations
may all need correcting as part of the process.
Whilst this can sometimes be frustrating for homeowners, it ultimately results in a safer electrical installation and prevents problems from being hidden behind a brand-new consumer unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?
Most consumer unit upgrades can be completed within a day. However, if testing identifies additional issues requiring remedial work, the project may take longer.
Can a new consumer unit be installed if faults are found?
In many cases, faults must be corrected before the installation can be fully certified and placed into service.
What is main bonding?
Main bonding connects incoming metal services such as gas and water pipes to the electrical earthing system, helping to reduce electric shock risks during fault conditions.
Why can't twin and earth cable be used outside?
Twin and earth cable is not designed for prolonged exposure to external environmental conditions. Armoured cable is typically the preferred solution for outdoor supplies.
Do older properties often have hidden electrical issues?
Yes. Many older installations have been modified over decades, and it is common to uncover issues such as missing bonding, undersized cables or non-compliant wiring methods during upgrade works.
Conclusion
This Worthing consumer unit upgrade started as a straightforward board replacement but ultimately involved upgrading an unsuitable garage supply, installing missing main protective bonding and rewiring unsafe garage lighting circuits.
Essentially, these findings demonstrate why thorough testing and inspection are such important parts of any consumer unit upgrade. A modern consumer unit provides excellent protection, but only when the installation connected to it is safe and compliant.
If you are considering a consumer unit upgrade in Worthing, Rustington or the surrounding areas, it is always worth choosing an electrician who will take the time to assess the entire installation properly, explain any findings clearly and carry out the work to a high standard. That commitment to trust, communication and workmanship is central to how we operate at Tide Electrical Solutions.
Get in touch with Tide Electrical Solutions
If you'd like to enquire about consumer unit upgrades in Worthing, give us a call or drop us an email today
