Fuseboard Upgrades Liverpool
18th Edition consumer units with surge protection. Certificate included.
DUAL RCD
£699
RCBO
£825
AFDD
£1300+
Fixed pricing • Certificate included • All include surge protection
600+
Boards Fitted
2-4hrs
Installation
18th Ed
Compliant
?
Worried About Electrical Safety?
We often speak to customers who are anxious about electrical fires or just want peace of mind that their family is protected. We understand your safety matters.
Think of your fuseboard like the engine of your car. It's the heart of your home's electrical system. Just like a car engine, the type you have determines how well it protects you.
Below, we'll show you three protection levels available. From good to ultimate, so you can choose what is right for your home and your peace of mind.
Choose Your Protection Level
Same quality installation just different protection levels
STANDARD
£699
8-way board
Dual RCD Board
Two RCDs protect groups of circuits. Good protection at an affordable price.
✓ RCD protection
✓ 18th Edition
⚠ Circuits trip together
✓ Surge protection
✓ NICEIC Certificate
✗ No arc detection
PREMIUM
£825
8-way board
Full RCBO Board
Each circuit individually protected. One trip affects one circuit only.
✓ Individual protection
✓ Easy fault finding
✓ 1 trip = 1 circuit
✓ Surge protection
✓ NICEIC Certificate
✗ No arc detection
ULTIMATE SAFETY
£1,300+
8-way board
AFDD + RCBO Board
Arc fault detection plus individual RCBO protection. Maximum fire prevention.
✓✓ Arc fault detection
✓✓ Best fire protection
✓ 1 trip = 1 circuit
✓ Surge protection
✓ NICEIC Certificate
✓ Individual protection
What Happens When Electric Trips
This is why protection level matters
⚠
Faulty toaster causes a trip...
Dual RCD
Several circuits lose power
✗
RCBO
Only kitchen sockets go off
✓
AFDD
Only kitchen sockets go off
✓
⚠
Damaged cable arcing inside wall...
Dual RCD
May not detect this fire risk
✗
RCBO
May not detect this fire risk
✗
AFDD
Detects arc, cuts power and fire prevented
✓
Our recommendation:
RCD (£699) is great value for rentals.
RCBO (£825) is ideal for most families.
AFDD (£1,400+) is ultimate protection for maximum peace of mind for family homes and businesses.
What Customers Say
5.0
★★★★★
230 reviews
P
Paul H. Crosby
★★★★★
"Old fuseboard failed the EICR. Tom replaced it with an RCBO board same week. Certificate issued same day. Very professional."
RCBO Upgrade
L
Lisa M. Woolton
★★★★★
"British Gas quoted £1,700. Ideal did it for £699 with the same certificate. Wish I'd found them sooner!"
Dual RCD
D
Dave R. Anfield
★★★★★
"Had the old wire fuses replaced. The lads explained everything clearly and tidied up after. No mess."
Fuseboard Upgrade
What's Included
Everything in your fixed price
New metal clad consumer unit
Surge protection device
protects all electronics
RCDs, RCBOs, or AFDDs
your choice
Up to 3m of 25mm meter tails
Gland pack
secure cable entry
NICEIC certificate
included free
What is a Dual RCD Board?
Our standard protection option — £699
Dual RCD (Split Load)
Two RCDs protecting groups of circuits
RCD stands for Residual Current Device. It's a safety switch that instantly cuts the power if it detects electricity flowing where it shouldn't, like through your body during an electric shock.
A Dual RCD board has two of these devices. Your circuits are split between them, typically half on each RCD.
How It's Wired
Dual RCD Layout
Downstairs Sockets
RCD 1
Cooker/Hob
Boiler
Upstairs Lights
PROS
Affordable at £699
Full RCD protection
Meets 18th Edition
Surge protection included
CONS
One trip = half house off
Harder to find faults
No arc detection
Best For:
✓ Budget homeowners
✓ Buy-to-let landlords
✓ Where cost is priority
✓ Upgrading from wire fuses
What is a Full RCBO Board?
Our most popular option — £825
Full RCBO Board
Individual protection for every circuit
RCBO stands for Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection. It combines RCD protection with overload protection in one device.
A Full RCBO board has a separate RCBO for each circuit. If one trips, only that circuit goes off and everything else stays on.
How It's Wired
Full RCBO Layout
RCBO 1
RCBO 2
RCBO 3
Boiler
RCBO 4
RCBO 5
RCBO 6
RCBO 7
RCBO 8
PROS
One trip = one circuit only
Easy to find faults
Better protection
No nuisance trips
CONS
Costs £125 more
No arc detection
Why we recommend RCBO:
The extra £125 is worth it. When your toaster trips, you don't lose power to any lighting, home office, or kids' bedrooms.
Best For:
✓ Families with children
✓ People working from home
✓ Homes with freezers full of food
✓ Anyone who wants peace of mind
What is AFDD?
Ultimate fire protection from £1,300+
Arc Fault Detection Device
Detects electrical arcs before they cause fires
AFDDs detect dangerous electrical arcs that standard RCDs and RCBOs cannot see. An arc can burn at 6,000°C inside your wall without tripping a standard board.
What Causes Electrical Arcs?
Arcing happens when electricity jumps across a gap creating sparks and intense heat. Common causes:
Loose Connections
Terminals that work loose over time
Rodent Damage
Mice chewing through cable insulation
DIY Damage
Nail or screw through hidden cable
Aged Wiring
Insulation breaking down over decades
How AFDD is Wired
An AFDD isn't a separate device. It is an RCBO with arc fault detection built in. Each AFDD/RCBO protects one circuit individually, exactly like a standard RCBO board.
THINK OF IT AS
INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION
RCBO
+
FIRE PREVENTION
Arc Detection
=
ULTIMATE SAFETY
AFDD
Why RCDs Can't Detect Arcs
RCDs only trip when electricity flows to earth like through your body. But an arc between live and neutral inside a damaged cable doesn't flow to earth. The RCD sees nothing wrong.
AFDDs monitor the electrical "signature" of the current flow. They can detect the unique pattern of a dangerous arc and cut power before a fire starts.
AFDD Pricing Breakdown
AFDD/RCBO combined breaker: ~£100 each
Consumer unit + main switch: ~£80
8 circuits × £100 = ~£800 in breakers
Materials + labour + certificate: Included
8-way board total: From £1,300
Price varies:
Add or subtract ~£100 per circuit. A 6-way board is ~£1,100, a 10-way is ~£1,500.
Best For:
✓ Families with young children
✓ Properties with older wiring
✓ Properties with rodent issues
✓ Properties hidden cables
✓ Maximum peace of mind
What is Surge Protection?
Included with every board we fit
Surge Protection Device
Protection against voltage spikes
Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that travel through your electrical system. They can be caused by:
-
Lightning strikes even nearby
-
Grid switching by electricity supplier
-
Faulty equipment turning on/off
-
Power cuts restoring
Without SPD, surges can destroy
Smart TVs
Computers
Boilers
Consoles
How SPD Works
A Surge Protection Device sits in your fuseboard and monitors incoming voltage. When it detects a spike, it diverts the excess voltage safely to earth before it reaches your appliances.
Think of it like a pressure relief valve it lets normal electricity through but blocks dangerous surges.
✓ Included as standard:
All our fuseboard upgrades include surge protection at no extra cost. It's now required by 18th Edition regulations.
What We Inspect
Required by UK building regulations
Why We Must Inspect
A fuseboard upgrade is substantial work under Part P building regulations. We're required to inspect and test your existing electrical system before we can submit notification to building control.
This is why every fuseboard upgrade includes a free NICEIC certificate. We have to do the testing anyway.
What We Check
Earth bonding
must meet current sizes (water, gas)
Bathroom lighting
correct IP rating for zones
Sockets & switches
not damaged
Downlights
fire hoods where required
Circuit loading
designed for expected load
All wiring
visual and tested inspection
Free NICEIC Certificate
Every fuseboard upgrade includes an Electrical Installation Certificate required for selling your home and insurance claims.
Included Free
Upgrading Old Fuseboards
What to expect with 20+ year old installations
⚠️ Important: If your fuseboard is 20+ years old, your underlying electrical installation is at least this age. Over the years, different occupants may have made alterations and there's no telling how safe these are.
Why Modern Boards Are More Sensitive
RCDs and RCBOs are highly sensitive safety devices which is great for protection, but means they won't tolerate any defects in your electrical installation.
Issues that went unnoticed with old fuse boxes can cause instant tripping with a new board.
What we do: If we find issues, we make the circuit safe, explain the problem clearly, and provide a separate quote for repairs. We never leave you with an unsafe installation.
Good news: Around 80% of upgrades complete without significant additional work. We're just being honest about what can happen.
Signs You Need a New Fuseboard
Burning Smell
Overheating — fire risk
Frequent Tripping
Can't handle load
Flickering Lights
Poor connections
Wire Fuses
Rewirable = no RCD
Exposed Holes
Safety risk
No RCD
Won't pass EICR
See any of these? Your fuseboard likely won't pass an electrical safety certificate. Call us for a free assessment.
Why Choose Ideal Electrical?
NICEIC approved
fully qualified electricians
600+ fuseboards fitted
we know what works
British Gas charges £1,600+
we're half the price
Fixed pricing
no surprises
Common Questions
Q
How much do electricians charge to change a fuse board?
In Liverpool, fuseboard replacement typically costs £500-£900. A dual RCD board costs around £699, RCBO around £825. British Gas charges £1,600-£1,800 for the same work. Always make sure an NICEIC certificate is included.
Q
Are old fuse boxes illegal in the UK?
Old fuse boxes aren't technically "illegal" you won't get a criminal record. However, they won't pass an EICR, which is legally required for rental properties. Buyers may request an upgrade or reduce their offer when selling.
Q
Can you get a new fuse box without rewiring?
Yes, in most cases. About 80% of upgrades don't need rewiring. We test all circuits during installation. If your wiring is safe, we connect it to the new board. If we find faults, we'll quote separately for repairs.
Q
Can I replace a fuse board myself?
No. Fuseboard replacement is notifiable work under Part P building regulations. It must be done by a registered electrician who can issue the required certificate. DIY installation is illegal and dangerous.
Q
Do I need a certificate for a new fuse box?
Yes. An Electrical Installation Certificate is legally required. This proves work meets BS 7671 (18th Edition). You'll need this when selling your house or for insurance claims.
Q
How long does it take to change a fuse board?
Typically 3-5 hours for a standard home. Your power will be off during installation. Larger properties may take longer. We always complete in one visit.
Q
Can you sell a house with an old fuse box?
Yes, but it may affect your sale. Buyers often request an EICR. Old fuse boxes typically fail. Many buyers negotiate the price down or request an upgrade before completion.
How It Works
Simple, professional installation
1
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us about your fuseboard how many circuits, any issues. We'll give you a fixed price.
2
Choose Your Protection
Dual RCD, RCBO, or AFDD. we'll explain the difference and recommend the best option.
3
We Install & Test
Power off, old board removed, new board fitted, every circuit tested.
4
Certificate Issued
NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate provided same day. Required for selling or renting.