At L J Mullan Electrical, we recently completed a garage consumer unit upgrade for a customer following an earlier EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) we had carried out at their property.
Garage Consumer Unit Upgrade in Banbury
During the inspection, we identified that although the installation was still functioning, the existing garage fuseboard was dated and no longer met current 18th Edition electrical regulations.
After discussing the findings with the customer, they decided they wanted the installation modernised and upgraded to improve both safety and reliability going forward.
As a local Banbury electrician covering Brackley, King’s Sutton, Bloxham, Bodicote, Adderbury and surrounding villages, we regularly carry out fuseboard upgrades, EICRs and electrical improvements for homeowners wanting peace of mind that their electrics are safe and compliant.
Why Was the Consumer Unit Replaced?
The existing garage consumer unit was an older style board that lacked several important safety features now recommended under current regulations.
Modern consumer units now include enhanced protection devices designed to help reduce the risk of:
- Electric shock
- Electrical fires
- Damage caused by power surges
- Faults on electrical circuits
Following the EICR, the customer wanted to futureproof the installation and ensure it complied with the latest standards.
We installed a new 18th Edition metal fire-rated consumer unit complete with:
- Type A RCBO protection
- Type 2 Surge Protection Device (SPD)
- Clearly labelled circuits
- Full testing and certification
Fire Rated Metal Consumer Unit
One of the biggest changes introduced in more recent wiring regulations is the requirement for consumer units in domestic properties to be manufactured from non-combustible materials.
The new metal-clad consumer unit offers significantly improved fire containment compared to older plastic fuseboards. This helps reduce the spread of fire should an electrical fault ever occur within the board itself.
As part of our fuseboard updates in Banbury and Brackley, we always install high-quality consumer units designed to meet current UK standards.
Type A RCBO Protection Explained
For this installation, we fitted Type A RCBOs throughout the garage circuits.
RCBOs combine both:
- Overcurrent protection
- Residual current protection (RCD)
This means each individual circuit has its own dedicated protection. Unlike older split-load boards, if one circuit develops a fault, it is far less likely to affect the rest of the installation.
Type A RCBOs are also designed to detect pulsating DC fault currents, making them more suitable for many modern electrical appliances commonly found in homes and garages today.
This provides the customer with a much safer and more reliable installation.
Surge Protection Type 2
We also installed a Type 2 Surge Protection Device (SPD) within the new consumer unit.
With modern homes now containing expensive electronics, smart devices, appliances and EV charging equipment, surge protection is becoming increasingly important.
A Type 2 SPD helps protect the installation against transient overvoltages caused by events such as:
- Power grid switching
- Lightning-related surges
- External electrical disturbances
Although many people never realise surges are occurring, they can gradually damage sensitive electronic equipment over time.
Installing surge protection during a consumer unit replacement is a sensible long-term investment for many homeowners.
Fully Tested, Certified & Notified
Once the installation was complete, we carried out full testing of all circuits to ensure everything complied with current BS 7671 wiring regulations.
As a registered NAPIT approved electrician, all notifiable electrical works are properly signed off and registered with Building Control where required.
The customer also received:
- A full Electrical Installation Certificate
- Building Regulations compliance notification
- Test results for the installation
- Certification for their records
This gives complete peace of mind that the work has been carried out safely, professionally and in accordance with current UK electrical standards.
EICRs & Fuseboard Upgrades in Banbury and Brackley
At L J Mullan Electrical, we specialise in domestic electrical work including:
- EICRs
- Consumer unit replacements
- Fuseboard upgrades
- Garage electrics
- Additional sockets and lighting
- LED lighting upgrades
- Fault finding and repairs
Many customers only discover issues with older fuseboards during an EICR. Although electrics may appear to be working normally, older installations often lack the protection required under modern regulations.
This is why regular inspections are so important — particularly in older homes, rental properties and garages where installations may not have been updated for many years.
If you are searching for a reliable Banbury electrician, need Brackley electrical services, or are considering an EICR or fuseboard update, L J Mullan Electrical are happy to help.
As a small local electrician, we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, good communication and carrying out the smaller jobs that larger firms often overlook.
Whether you need a consumer unit replacement, garage electrics upgraded, or an EICR carried out on your property, feel free to get in touch with L J Mullan Electrical today.
