Best

Practice
Guide
1
Replacing a consumer unit in
residential and similar premises
Issue 5
 Best Practice Guide
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Replacing a consumer
unit in residential and
similar premises
Issue 5
older-type circuit-breakers, as these
1. Aim devices can provide satisfactory
overcurrent protection. Furthermore,
a consumer unit need not be
replaced because it does not
1.1. The aim of this Guide is to promote incorporate RCD protection, as there
best practice by providing practical may be ways to provide this
advice and guidance for designers, protection other than replacing the
installers and inspectors where consumer unit. Similarly, in light of
the consumer unit or other main the changes made in Amendment No
switchgear is being replaced in 3 of BS 7671: 2008, a consumer unit
residential or similar premises wired need not be replaced because its
in accordance with earlier versions of enclosure is made of combustible
BS 7671 or the IEE Wiring Regulations. materials such as, for example,
The guidance is intended to protect plastic. See also Best Practice Guide
users and installers against dangerous No 4. Electrical Installation Condition
situations that could arise from the Reporting Classification Codes for
existing installation. Domestic and Similar Electrical
Installations
1.2. The guidance recognises that the
existing circuits being connected to a
replacement consumer unit may not
comply with the current edition of
BS 7671, as amended. In following the
guidance in this Guide, the installer
accepts this and must be satisfied
that all new work on a particular
installation addresses the risks.
1.3. A consumer unit need not be
replaced simply because it has
rewireable fuses, cartridge fuses or

3
2. Limitation 3. Legal
requirements
2.1. This guidance is intended for
residential and similar premises
and applies to the replacement of a 3.1. There is no legal requirement that
consumer unit or similar assemblies calls for an existing installation to be
complying with BS EN 61439-3, the upgraded to current standards.
reconnection of existing circuits and 3.2. However, there is a requirement
the connection of any new circuits under the Building Regulations for
installed during the work. England and for Wales to leave
the installation and the building
no worse in terms of the level of
compliance with other applicable
parts of Schedule 11, which gives
requirements with which building
work must comply, than before the
work was undertaken.
3.3. Similarly, the Scottish Building
Standards Technical Handbooks,
which provide guidance on achieving
the standards set out in the Building
(Scotland) Regulations 2004, as
amended, require that any work
associated with the replacement of
a service, fitting or equipment by
another of the same general type
is to a standard no worse than at
present.
3.4. Replacing a consumer unit in
domestic premises in England or
Wales is notifiable work under the
Building Regulations. Unless the work
is undertaken by a person registered
with an electrical self-certification
scheme prescribed in the regulations,
notification of the proposals to carry
out the work must be given to the
appropriate building control body

4
 before the work begins, or, where
the work is necessary because of an
emergency, the building control body
should be notified as soon as possible
after the completion of the work.
3.5. Installers are reminded of the need to
comply with the relevant parts of the
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
when replacing a consumer unit. In
particular, attention is drawn to:
• regulation 12, Means for cutting off
the supply and for isolation,
Result of DIY work by a home owner where
• regulation 13, Precautions for work a 10.5 kW electric shower was connected
on equipment made dead, to a 45 A circuit-breaker using 2.5 mm²
• regulation 14, Work on or near live cable. (Photo courtesy of British Gas)
conductors.
3.6. These regulations mean that, unless

5
4. Requirements • SPDs are installed in locations required
of BS 7671 by Regulation 443.4.1

4.5. We would also recommend that the

4.1. Replacing a consumer unit is an benefits of installing a Grade D (mains
alteration to that installation. powered fire detection and alarm
Additions and alterations are system (if not already installed) are
classed as new work. The work must fully explained to the client.
therefore be designed, erected 4.6. A consumer unit must not be
and verified in accordance with the replaced until it has been established
requirements of the current edition that the rating and condition of any
of BS 7671, as amended (Regulation existing equipment, including that of
110.1.2(vii)) and must not impair the the distributor, will be adequate for
safety of the existing installation the altered circumstances, and the
(Regulation 641.5). On completion earthing and bonding arrangements
of the verification of the work an necessary for the safety of the
Electrical Installation Certificate must alteration are adequate (Regulation
be issued (Regulation 644.1). 132.16).
4.2. BS 7671 does not require existing 4.7. Where practical a replacement
circuits to be upgraded. However, consumer unit with additional
the circuit protection may require capacity for future circuits and
upgrading. other technologies (solar PV, EV
4.3. However, circuits that are defective charging, battery storage) should be
or non-compliant with the considered.
requirements of BS 7671 in a way 4.8. Any defects found in the reconnected
that would result in immediate or
potential danger must not be circuits that would not result in
reconnected to the consumer unit. immediate or potential danger
should be ideally rectified but if the
Note: See exception for distress change 6.3 client is not willing, they must be
4.4. Where a consumer unit is being recorded in the Comments on
existing installation section of the
replaced, the following are
Electrical Installation Certificate
recommended:
issued for the replacement of the
• All circuits are protected by Type A consumer unit.
RCBOs (531.3.2 (ii) or sufficient
type A RCDs (531.3.2 (i) & 531.3.3) Note. Guidance on classification codes
attributable to damage, defects and non-
• AFDDs are installed in areas
compliances is given in
identified as of higher risk (421.1.7)
Best Practice Guide No 4.
on socket circuits with a current
not exceeding 32A.

6
5. Main earthing, 3 A 6 mm² main protective bonding
conductor size could be deemed adequate

main protective where the minimum size required by

Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671 is 10 mm²,
bonding and if the bonding conductors have been in
place for a significant time and show no
meter tails signs of thermal damage.
4 16 mm² meter tails with a 100 A cut-out
fuse could be adequate if the maximum
demand of the installation (taking into
5.1. The installer must verify, as a
account diversity and load profile) does
minimum, that:
not exceed the current-carrying capacity
a) The main earthing terminal of of the tails, and also provided that the
the installation is connected to an requirements of Regulation 434.5.2 for
adequate means of earthing via a protection of the tails against fault current
suitably sized earthing conductor, are met.
(see notes 1, 2 and 5).
5 Some electricity distributors have
b) The main protective bonding is requirements regarding the earthing
adequate, (see notes 3 and 5) conductor, main protective bonding
conductors and meter tails that exceed
c) The installation has adequate
the requirements of BS 7671. Local
earthing arrangements for fault
requirements should be confirmed before
protection purposes.
starting work.
d) The meter tails and the
5.2. If any of conditions 5.1.a), b), c),d)
distributor’s equipment have
or e) are not met, the customer
adequate currentcarrying capacity
should be informed that upgrading is
(see notes 4 and 5).
required. If the customer refuses, the
e) The polarity of the incoming installer should not proceed with the
supply is correct. replacement of the consumer unit
until the necessary remedial work is
Notes:
undertaken.
1 A measurement of the external earth fault
loop impedance (Ze) should be carried out
at this stage if practicable.
2 A 6mm² or 10 mm² earthing conductor
used with an associated line conductor of
25 mm² could be considered adequate if
the requirements of Regulation 543.1.3
are met.

7
6. Reason for readily accessible parts of the
installation, a measurement of the
change external earth fault loop impedance
(Ze),
• a test of circuit protective conductor
continuity at the end of each final
6.1. The replacement of a consumer circuit,
unit could be a planned change (see • a test of earth fault loop impedance
Section 6.2.) or a distress change (see at readily accessible socket-outlets
Section 6.3.). • an insulation resistance
6.2. Planned change measurement of the whole
installation at the consumer unit,
6.2.1. The initial approach of the contractor
between the live conductors
planning the replacement of
interconnected and the protective
the consumer unit should be to
conductor connected to the
strongly recommend the customer
earthing arrangement.
to have an Electrical Installation
Condition Report (EICR) prepared 6.2.3. If any condition that would present
on the installation, in advance of an immediate danger, potential
the consumer unit being replaced. danger, or cause the unwanted
tripping of an RCD is found, the
6.2.2. If the customer refuses an EICR, a customer should be informed that
pre-work survey must be undertaken remedial work is necessary to
before any work is carried out to improve safety.
ascertain if there are any immediate
or potential dangers, or if there is any Note: For lighting circuits having no protective
condition that would cause unwanted conductor and lead-sheathed and rubber-
tripping of an RCD in the existing insulated cables see Sections 8 & 9
installation affected by the change. The consumer unit should not be
If the customer refuses a pre-work replaced unless:
survey the replacement of the • the defects in 6.2.3 are corrected, or
consumer unit should not go ahead.
As a minimum the survey should • the defective circuits are left
include: disconnected from the replacement
consumer unit.
• making enquiries with the user as Note: Immediate danger corresponds to one or
to whether there are any known more observations that would warrant a
defects, faults or damage, code C1 classification. Potential danger
• an internal visual inspection of corresponds to one or more observations
the existing consumer unit to that would warrant a code C2 classification.
determine, amongst other things, Guidance on classification codes attributable
the type and condition of the wiring to damage, defects and on-compliances
system used for the installation, found during a periodic inspection is given in
• an external visual inspection of Best Practice Guide No 4.

8
6.3. Distress change
7. Inspection,
6.3.1. A distress change occurs when
the consumer unit has suffered testing and
damage, has become unusable
through overheating, or is in a certification
dangerous condition with exposed
live parts. This situation usually
requires immediate replacement
of the consumer unit. However, 7.1 The alteration or additions themselves
the installation of the consumer (the installation of
unit must still comply with the the replacement consumer unit and
requirements of the current edition any other new work, such as additional
of BS 7671, as amended. This final circuits) should be verified fully in
means, amongst other things, that accordance with the requirements of
requirements a), b), c) and d) referred Section 641 of BS 7671, as amended,
to in Section 5.1. must be met. and an Electrical Installation
Certificate, including schedules of
In all cases, a pre-work survey should inspection, circuit details and test
be carried out to ascertain if there results, based on the models in
are any immediate dangers or if there Appendix 6 of BS 7671, should be given
is any condition that would cause by the installer to the customer
unwanted tripping of an RCD in the (Regulations 644.1 and 644.3).
existing installation affected by the
change. 7.2. As a minimum, the following
tests should be carried out on the
6.3.2. It should be explained to the existing circuits connected to the
occupant before the consumer unit replacement consumer unit:
is replaced that, if an immediately
• A test of the continuity of the
dangerous condition is found in an
protective conductor of each circuit,
existing final circuit, it would not be
to the point or accessory electrically
possible to reconnect that circuit
furthest from the consumer unit and
until any necessary remedial action is
to each accessible exposed-
carried out. If remedial action is not
conductive- part.
possible the circuit would need to be
isolated. Additionally, any potential • A test of the continuity of ring final
dangers identified would need to be circuit conductors on all ring final
remedied without delay after the circuits.
Consumer Unit replacement.
• A measurement of the combined
Note: It is recommended that a record of the insulation resistance of all the
customer’s agreement to the above is circuits in the installation. The
obtained and suitably recorded. measurement need only be made
between the line and neutral
conductors connected together and
the protective conductor connected
9
 to the earthing arrangement, to
avoid potential damage to any 8. Lighting
electronic components.
circuits having
• A confirmation of the supply
polarity. no protective
• A test to establish the fault loop conductor
impedance (Zs), at each accessible
socket-outlet and at least one point
or accessory in every other circuit,
preferably the point or accessory 8.1. This guidance recognises that
electrically furthest from the unearthed lighting circuits do not
consumer unit. comply with BS 7671.
• A test of each installed RCD 8.2. In homes built before 1966, the
(RCCB or RCBO) using both a test
instrument and the device’s integral
test button.
7.3. The Electrical Installation Certificate
should identify, in the Comments
on existing installation section,
any defects which exist in the
reconnected circuits.
If a full Electrical Installation
Condition Report on the installation
has not been provided as part of
the work, consideration should
be given by the installer to stating 8.3 A lighting circuit having no protective
this on the certificate with a strong conductor should not be reconnected
recommendation that an Electrical unless:
Installation Condition Report should • it is rewired with cables having a
be carried out. protective conductor, or
• a circuit protective conductor
is provided with a means of
connection available at all accessible
points of that circuit.
8.4. Where the customer will not agree
to one of the remedial measures
described in Section 8.3 of this Guide,
the customer should be advised that
the circuit cannot be reconnected

10
 unless they agree to have all
associated metallic or Class I fittings 9. Lead sheathed
or accessories present replaced by
all-insulated or Class II alternatives
and rubber
8.5 As an absolute last resort and only insulated cables
where the customer will not agree to
either the provision of a protective
conductor for the circuit or the
replacement of all metallic or Class I 9.1. In all cases where lead-sheathed
fittings or accessories by similar items or rubber-insulated cables
of Class II construction, the risk are encountered, it is strongly
assessment detailed in Annex B may recommended that the consumer
be applied, with all testing carried out unit should not be changed until
with the supply to the consumer unit the cables are replaced. This is
in question safely isolated. because an unacceptable level of
deterioration of the insulation is likely
8.6 Subject to the recommendations of to occur whilst the cables are handled
Sections 8.3-8.5 of this Guide being during removal of the old consumer
met, where lighting circuits having unit and their re-termination into
no circuit protective conductor are the replacement consumer unit and
connected to a new consumer unit, subsequent testing. Consideration
it is strongly recommended that a for the renewal of cables should also
warning notice with black letters on a take into account the requirements
yellow background should be fixed on for earthing the lead sheath.
or adjacent to the consumer unit.

WARNING: Circuit(s) Nos.xxxx do not have

provision for earthing metal equipment.
TO AVOID RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REPLACE INSULATED LIGHTING
FITTINGS OR SWITCHES WITH METAL
LIGHTING FITTINGS OR SWITCHES.

8.7 The inspection, testing and

certification of Section 7 of this Guide
must be met.

11
10. References
to other Best
Practice Guides

10.1. This Best Practice Guide makes

reference to the following Best
Practice Guides, which may be
downloaded from the websites
of some of the contributing
organisations. The version on the
Electrical Safety First website will
always be the latest.
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
electricalprofessionals/
best-practice-guides
• Best Practice Guide No 2 –
Guidance on management of
electrical safety and safe isolation
procedures for low voltage
installations.
• Best Practice Guide No 4 – Electrical
installation condition reporting:
Classification codes for residential
and similar electrical installations.

12
11. Annex A
Consumer Unit
Replacement –
Flowcharts

Planned Replacement (Section 6.2)

Planned or Safe isolation

agreed Undertake Where immediate Change consumer unit,
consumer unit EICR or or potential danger commission, test
change Survey Rectify or isolate and certify

If no then don't Document and/or Document remedial Notify under

proceed with advise DNO or recommendations Part P, as required
replacement (call 105) for future
inspection or
improvements

Distress Replacement (Section 6.3)

Client Where Inform customer Safe isolation Remedy

Distressed agrees to Undertake immediate of additional Change
consumer unit EICR or Potential
change then danger dangers requiring consumer unit, issues after
uncovered continue Survey Rectify or rectification after commission, test change
isolate board change and certify

Document If no then don't Document and/ Notify under

with client proceed with or advise DNO Part P,
replacement (call 105) as required

13
12. Annex B:

Risk assessment testing for a lighting circuit 5. If the customer will not agree to this risk
having no protective conductor with metallic assessment being carried out, they should
or Class I fittings or accessories be advised that a lighting circuit having no
As an absolute last resort and only where the protective conductor that has metal or Class
customer will not agree to either the provision I switches, light fittings or other accessories
of a protective conductor for the circuit or the fitted is potentially dangerous (and so would
replacement of all metallic or Class I fittings warrant a Code C2 classification in an Electrical
or accessories by similar items of Class II Installation Condition Report). This will mean
construction, the following risk assessment may that the circuit cannot be connected into a new
be applied, with all testing carried out with the consumer unit (see Section 4.3 of this Guide).
supply to the consumer unit in question safely 6. It should be noted that the protective
isolated: measure double or reinforced insulation is only
1. Carry out a continuity test applied between applicable to electrical installations or circuits
the earthing terminal in the existing consumer therein that are under effective supervision
unit and all Class I light fittings and metal plate in normal use to ensure that no change is
accessories. If the resistance value is 1 Ω or less, made that would impair the effectiveness of
the equipment may be considered to be the protective measure (regulation 412.1.2).
earthed. Domestic and similar premises falling within the
scope of this Guide cannot be considered to be
2. An insulation resistance test should be under effective supervision.
applied between the live conductors (line and
neutral connected together) and the earthing 7. Subject to the recommendations of Annex
terminal in the consumer unit, with that B being met, where lighting circuits having no
terminal connected to the means of earthing. protective conductor are connected to a new
The resistance should be at least 1 MΩ. consumer unit, it is strongly recommended that
a warning notice with black letters on a yellow
3. An insulation resistance test should be background should be fixed on or adjacent to
applied between line and neutral connected the consumer unit:
together and the exposed-conductive-parts of
every Class I lighting fitting and metal switch 8. On completion of the work a record of
plate found to not be earthed by the continuity any non-compliances, including the lack of
testing described in 1. above. The insulation protective conductors on the lighting circuits,
resistance value should be at least 1 MΩ. must made in the Comments on existing
installation section of the electrical installation
4. If the circuit does not fulfil the requirements certificate issued to cover the work
of either 2. or 3. above, there would be a risk of
electric shock if the circuit were to be re-
energised. The customer must be advised in
writing that this danger exists, and that the
circuit must be disconnected from the supply
and should not be connected into a new
consumer unit.

14
 Annex B: Flowchart – Lighting circuits with no cpc

Leave circuit
disconnected or
Lighting Do Not change
Circuits consumer unit

NO

Class 1 equipment Does customer agree Does circuit meet

Does the circuit to replacement by
have a CPC? NO or accessories YES NO risk assessment requirements
in circuit? Class II equipment or given in Annex B5?
accessories?

NO YES
YES

YES Install Class II

equipment /
accessories
Affix presence of
unearthed lighting
circuit label to
consumer unit front

Safe isolation
Change consumer
unit, commission
test and certify

Document remedial Notify under

or recommendations Part P, as required
for future
inspection or
improvements

15
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