When it comes to the safety of your home and your loved ones, there's no room for compromise. As a responsible homeowner in Kent, one of the most important steps you can take to increase the safety of your property is upgrading your consumer unit. This is something that most Kent homeowners tend to overlook. ‘Never caused me any issues’ is something I hear more often than not, but this doesn’t mean is also offers the best protection technology can offer to date. In reality the protection your old fusebox offers is very poor, leaves you vulnerable to electrical and fire hazards.
So, if you would like to know 5 reasons why you should upgrade your old fusebox to a consumer unit keep reading.
1. Fire safety
One of the most important reasons to upgrade your old fusebox is fire safety. Outdated fuseboxes with older wiring and fuses have a higher risk of electrical fires. A modern consumer unit comes fitted with advanced circuit breakers that can quickly detect and react to electrical faults. These breakers are designed to trip, cutting off the electricity supply in case of a fault or overload. This instantaneous response reduces the risk of overheating and the risk of fire, providing invaluable protection to your home and family.
2. Protection against electric shock
Electrical shocks can be fatal, and ensuring your home's electrical installation is designed to minimize this risk is paramount. Upgrading your old fusebox with a modern consumer unit allows your electrician to install Residual Current Devices (RCDs) or my personal favourite RCBOs to enhance your protection even more. These devices actively monitor the electricity flowing in your electrics and instantly disconnect the power if any irregularity is detected. This quick reaction can save lives, making your home a safer place to live.
3. Protection of all your modern appliances
In this day and age, our home have an increasing number of smart devices and appliances that have their own vulnerabilities. A very common one is this of power surges that can permanently damage your electronics (tablets, phones, TVs etc) and appliances. By installing a Surge Protection Device (SPD) with your new consumer unit we ensure that during the next thunderstorm you won’t have to worry if a lighting strikes too close causing £100s of even £1000s in damaged electronics and appliances.
4. Protection from electric shocks caused from the electronic parts on an appliance
Now a days, more and more appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers are equipped with electronic (DC) components, and if they become faulty they have the potential of causing harm to people. With newest Type A of RCBOs fitted in your consumer unit you can rest assure that your circuit breaker will trip if a fault of this type happens in any of your appliances
5. Peace of Mind
Probably one of the biggest benefits of upgrading your fusebox is the peace of mind it will give you. Knowing that your home is equipped with the latest safety equipment and that you've taken all necessary steps to minimize electrical hazards can reduse stress and worry. Your home is your sanctuary, and by investing in its electrical safety, you're creating a haven for yourself and your loved ones.
