Mcb v Rcbo.

Fuse Board Upgrades: Why Upgrading to an RCBO Consumer Unit is Essential for Your Home

When it comes to keeping your home safe and your electrics up to modern standards, one of the most important upgrades you can make is replacing an old fuse board with a modern consumer unit fitted with RCBO protection. At Riverside Electrical and PAT Testing Ltd, we regularly help homeowners across Southampton and the surrounding areas improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of their electrical systems with professional fuse board upgrades.

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What Is a Fuse Board (Consumer Unit)?

Your fuse board—often called a consumer unit—is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity to all the circuits in your property and provides protection if something goes wrong. Older fuse boards often contain rewirable fuses or basic MCBs (miniature circuit breakers), which do not provide the same level of protection as modern RCBOs.

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What Is an RCBO and Why Is It Better?

An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) is a device that combines the protection of an RCD (Residual Current Device) with the protection of an MCB. In simple terms, an RCBO protects you in two crucial ways:

1. Against Electric Shock – It cuts power instantly if it detects a fault, such as a live wire touching something it shouldn’t.

2. Against Overloads and Short Circuits – It prevents circuits from overheating and causing electrical fires.

With an RCBO consumer unit, every circuit in your home has individual protection, unlike older boards where one RCD covers multiple circuits. This means:

If a fault occurs on one circuit (e.g. the kitchen sockets), only that circuit trips—your lights and other circuits stay on.

You have maximum protection against both fire risks and electric shock.

Fault-finding is quicker and easier, saving time and money on repairs.

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Signs You Need a Fuse Board Upgrade

If you’re unsure whether it’s time to upgrade your fuse board, here are some key warning signs:

You still have an old fuse box with wire fuses.

Your consumer unit doesn’t have RCD/RCBO protection.

You notice burning smells, buzzing noises, or discoloured switches.

Your electrics trip regularly.

Your home has had extensions or additional circuits added without updating the consumer unit.

If any of these apply to you, it’s time to consider a fuse board upgrade in Southampton.

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Benefits of Upgrading to an RCBO Fuse Board

When you choose Riverside Electrical and PAT Testing Ltd for your consumer unit replacement, you’ll benefit from:

✅ Maximum Safety – Protecting your family from electrical shocks and fire risks.

✅ Compliance with Current Regulations – Meeting the latest wiring standards (BS 7671).

✅ Peace of Mind – Each circuit is individually protected, reducing the inconvenience of whole-house power cuts.

✅ Improved Property Value – A modern fuse board is a big plus for homebuyers and landlords.

✅ Professional Installation – All work carried out by fully qualified, NAPIT-registered electricians.

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Why Choose Riverside Electrical and PAT Testing Ltd?

At Riverside Electrical and PAT Testing Ltd, we pride ourselves on delivering reliable, affordable, and professional electrical services across Southampton and the surrounding areas. From fuse board upgrades to PAT testing, EICRs, and general electrical maintenance, we are your trusted local electricians.

Our team ensures all consumer unit upgrades are carried out to the highest standards, with full certification provided for your records. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, we’ll make sure your electrics are safe, compliant, and future-proof.

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Book Your Fuse Board Upgrade Today

Don’t leave your home at risk with an outdated fuse box. Upgrading to an RCBO consumer unit is one of the smartest investments you can make for the safety and security of your property.

📞 Contact Riverside Electrical and PAT Testing Ltd today to book your fuse board upgrade in Southampton or to get a free, no-obligation quote.

👉 Call us now or visit our website to schedule your upgrade.