Short answer
Have a consumer unit assessed if it is damaged, overheating, still fitted with rewireable fuses, or unable to protect circuits you are adding. Age alone is not a reason to replace it. Many replacements are building-regulations work and should be notified.
On this page
What you are looking at
The consumer unit, often still called a fuse box, holds the devices that protect each circuit. Some older units use rewireable fuses. Later units use circuit breakers, RCDs and RCBOs. The label on the front is not enough to decide that the unit is unsafe or that it must be replaced.
Reasons to have it replaced or upgraded
- Burn marks, heat, a smell of hot plastic, or a cover that is cracked or missing.
- A device that will not reset, or that trips immediately with the circuits isolated.
- Rewireable fuses where an electrician advises additional protection is needed for the way the installation is used.
- No spare ways, or a unit that cannot accept the circuits required for a new oven, shower or charger.
- A report, such as an EICR, that recommends replacement and explains why.
What age does not prove
An older unit is not automatically due for replacement. A qualified electrician should look at the equipment, the earthing and the circuits before recommending a new unit. Ask them to say what is unsafe now and what is an improvement.
Who should do the work
Consumer-unit replacement is usually building-regulations work. A registered competent person can carry out the work and notify it through their scheme. GOV.UK explains competent-person schemes and how to check a scheme's register. Ask which scheme the electrician belongs to, and check that register yourself. Membership of one scheme is not the only lawful route, but the work still has to comply and be notified by an appropriate route.
Safety
Do not take the cover off. Do not replace a fuse wire with a thicker wire or with anything improvised. If there is smoke or fire, leave and call 999.
Describe the unit and the reason for the request on the consumer unit replacement page. The price is agreed with the electrician, not with this site.
Sources
Questions
Must every fuse box be replaced?
No. Replacement follows from condition, protection and the work you need done. Ask for that reason in writing.
Does a new consumer unit need to be notified?
Usually yes. Confirm who will notify building control, or which competent-person scheme will do it.
Need this done? Read the Consumer unit replacement guide, or start a request.
Electrical fault at home? Find the right electrician.
A consumer unit that keeps tripping. A socket that has stopped working. Lights flickering for no obvious reason.