🔥 WES Electrical / Certificates 4 Landlords: Expert Consumer Unit & Fuse Board Upgrades in Glasgow and Surrounding Areas 2025

 

If your property still has an old fuse board or lacks RCBO and AFDD protection, it could be a major fire hazard. Outdated electrical systems put tenants, homeowners, and landlords at risk, and they may fail EICR inspections, making your property non-compliant with current safety regulations.

At WES Electrical and Certificates 4 Landlords (C4L), we specialize in consumer unit upgrades, fuse board replacements, and modern circuit protection for properties across Glasgow, Renfrew, Paisley, and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our team ensures your property is safe, compliant, and future-proof.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• 🔥 Why upgrading your consumer unit is essential
• ⚡ RCBO and AFDD breakers – modern protection standards
• 🔧 The dangers of old fuse wire boards
• ✅ Signs you need a fuse board upgrade
• 🛠️ WES Electrical’s expert installation services in Glasgow

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⚡ 1. Why You Should Upgrade Your Consumer Unit Glasgow

A consumer unit (fuse board) is the electrical heart of your property. It distributes electricity and protects against overloads, short circuits, and faults. Older units with ceramic fuses or outdated MCBs are far less effective at protecting against modern electrical risks.

🔥 Key Benefits of Upgrading Your Consumer Unit

• ✅ Improved safety: Modern units with RCBOs and AFDDs offer superior protection against electric shocks, overloads, and fire risks.
• ✅ Regulation compliance: Helps you meet the latest 18th Edition wiring regulations.
• ✅ Reduced fire risk: AFDDs detect arc faults, which are a major cause of electrical fires.
• ✅ Increased property value: A new consumer unit makes your property more attractive to buyers and tenants.
• ✅ Enhanced reliability: Fewer power outages and improved electrical stability.

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🔥 2. RCBO and AFDD Breakers: Modern Safety Standards

When upgrading your consumer unit, you’ll want the latest RCBO and AFDD technology installed. These devices offer superior protection compared to old MCB and RCD setups.

🔌 RCBO: Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection

An RCBO combines the functions of both an RCD (Residual Current Device) and an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) into one unit.

• Protects against electric shocks from faulty wiring or appliances.
• Guards against overcurrent faults caused by short circuits or overloads.
• Prevents nuisance tripping, only isolating the faulty circuit instead of the entire board.

🔥 AFDD: Arc Fault Detection Device

AFDDs detect arc faults, which are a leading cause of electrical fires. Arcing occurs when electricity jumps across a gap due to damaged or loose wiring, creating a dangerous heat build-up.

⚡ Why Upgrade to RCBO and AFDD Protection?

• Enhanced fire safety: Prevents overheating caused by arc faults.
• Improved circuit stability: Faster fault detection and isolation.
• 18th Edition compliant: Helps meet the latest electrical regulations.
• Reduced risk of nuisance tripping: RCBOs offer more reliable protection.

💡 WES Electrical offers full consumer unit upgrades with RCBOs and AFDDs to maximize safety and compliance in your property.

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🔥 3. The Dangers of Old Fuse Wire Boards

If your property still has an old fuse wire board, it poses serious safety risks. These outdated boards rely on replaceable fuse wire, which is far less effective at protecting against faults than modern MCBs, RCBOs, or AFDDs.

⚠️ Risks of Old Fuse Boards Glasgow

• Fire hazards: Slow response times increase the risk of electrical fires.
• Electric shock risks: Lack of proper earth fault protection.
• Frequent tripping or power failures: Older systems struggle with modern electrical loads.
• Non-compliance: Failing to upgrade could result in an unsatisfactory EICR.

🔧 Signs You Need a Fuse Board Upgrade

• Frequent tripping or blown fuses.
• Visible damage to the fuse board (burn marks, overheating).
• No RCD protection – older boards lack crucial safety features.
• Inadequate capacity: Older boards cannot support modern appliances.

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✅ 4. Fuse Board Upgrades for Landlords in Glasgow

For landlords in Glasgow, upgrading to a modern consumer unit is essential to pass EICR inspections and meet legal safety obligations.

🔥 Why Should Landlords Upgrade Fuse Boards?

• Legal compliance: Rental properties must meet the latest electrical safety standards.
• Lower insurance risks: Properties with modern consumer units have fewer liability risks.
• Tenant safety: Better protection against electric shocks and fire hazards.
• EICR pass guarantee: Upgrading ensures your property meets EICR standards.

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🔧 5. What’s Included in a Consumer Unit Upgrade by WES Electrical?

When you hire WES Electrical for a consumer unit upgrade in Glasgow, you’ll get a comprehensive service that includes:

• Full safety assessment: Inspecting your existing system for faults.
• Removal of old fuse board: Safe disconnection and removal of outdated equipment.
• Installation of modern consumer unit: With RCBO and AFDD protection.
• Circuit labeling: Clear labeling for easy identification.
• EICR certification: Testing and certification to confirm compliance.
• Fire hazard protection: Ensuring your system meets 18th Edition standards.

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🌟 6. Benefits of Upgrading with WES Electrical

Choosing WES Electrical means you’ll get:

• ✅ Experienced electricians: Over 20 years of experience in Glasgow.
• ✅ Fast, efficient service: Most upgrades are completed in a single day.
• ✅ EICR-compliant installations: Helping landlords meet their legal obligations.
• ✅ Emergency call-outs: 24/7 availability for urgent electrical faults.
• ✅ Local expertise: Serving Glasgow, Renfrew, Paisley, Clydebank, and nearby areas.

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⚡ 7. EV Car Charging Points: Safe and Compliant Installations

If you’re considering adding an EV charging point to your property, upgrading your consumer unit is essential.

• EV chargers require dedicated circuits with proper protection.
• WES Electrical ensures your fuse board can handle the increased electrical load.
• Safe and compliant installation of EV car charging points.

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📍 Areas We Cover in Glasgow and Surrounding Areas

WES Electrical provides consumer unit upgrades across:

• Glasgow City Centre
• West End (Partick, Hillhead, Hyndland, Finnieston)
• Southside (Shawlands, Pollokshields, Mosspark)
• Renfrew, Paisley, and Clydebank
• East End and North Glasgow

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📞 Contact WES Electrical for Consumer Unit Upgrades in Glasgow

If you have an outdated fuse board or want to upgrade to a modern consumer unit with RCBO and AFDD protection, contact WES Electrical today. Ensure your property is safe, compliant, and future-proof.

📞 Call: 0141 840 5236
🌐 Visit: Certificates 4 Landlords

🔥 Protect your property with a professional fuse board upgrade from Glasgow’s trusted electricians—WES Electrical.

Cosumer Unit / Fuse Board Changes In Glasgow

BS 7671 Amendment 3 & changes to 
Consumer Units

As you may be aware there are changes being made to the wiring regulations BS 7671 with Amendment 3 which is due to be published in January 2015. One of these changes is expected to involve consumer units installed in household premises and is focused on the material their enclosures are manufactured from.

What is driving the changes?

Investigation into several fires involving plastic consumer units, by the Strathclyde Fire Brigade, has concluded that a key cause of the fires was substandard cable connections made by the Electrician. These resulted in overheating, which eventually ignited the plastic enclosure.

How has Hager been involved with the proposed changes to consumer units?

As a result of the investigations into consumer unit fires, proposals have been made for changes to the Wiring Regulations. Hager has been closely involved in the development of these changes by providing expert industry liaison with interested bodies including;Strathclyde Fire Brigade, Government and the Joint IET/BSI Technical Committee JPEL/64 which has the responsibility for the content of BS 7671 (17th Edition Wiring Regulations).

Anticipated new regulation

The new Regulation 421.1.201 is expected to state:
Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439 3 and shall:
I. Have their enclosures manufactured from non-combustible material, or
II. Be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.
Note 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material.
Note 2:* the implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.

What impact will this have?

This would mean that eventually all new consumer units installed in UK homes, i.e. within domestic (household) premises must have their enclosures manufactured from a non-combustible material, or be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed from a non-combustible material. This is likely to result in an increased use of metal enclosures. 

What is meant by ‘within domestic (household) premises’?

It is understood that Regulation 421.1.201 applies to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies to BS EN 61439-3 inside all domestic (household) premises including their integral/attached garages and outbuildings or those in close proximity.

When will Amendment 3 come into effect?

The third amendment to BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations will be issued in January 2015 and is intended to come into effect on 1st July 2015. Installations designed after 30th June 2015 are to comply with BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment 3, 2015.
However, Regulation 421.1.201 does not come into effect until the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.

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