Looking for a HMO Fuseboard Upgrades Electrician?

Upgrading a consumer unit in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) involves more rigorous standards than in a standard domestic dwelling due to the increased responsibility for tenant safety, regulatory compliance, and potential for heavier usage.

1) HMO Consumer Unit Upgrade - Legal & Safety Requirements

For HMOs, landlords are legally required to:

• Ensure the electrical installation is safe (Housing Act 2004)
• Have an EICR every 5 years or sooner if recommended
• Use a qualified electrician
• Ensure that all circuits are protected by RCDs or RCBOs where required.  

Depending on the local council, additional standards or licensing conditions may apply.

2) What Is involved in a Consumer Unit Upgrade?

A consumer unit upgrade replaces the old housing and fuses / switchgear contained within, with a modern one that complies with our current wiring regulations (BS 7671). Modern consumer units now include RCBOs (RCD/MCB combined) for better protection against electric shock and fire as standard.  The housings are made of metal which restrict the spread of fire should a loose connection within overheat, rather than feeding the fire with a PVC housing.  

Current wiring regulations (BS7671) now require that Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDD’s) are installed on all circuits supplying power to socket outlet circuits throughout HMOs.  AFDD’s incorporate an RCBO as standard with the added protection of detecting dangerous electrical arcs in the wiring or any appliances plugged into the circuit which then automatically disconnects the circuit to prevent fires.

We install surge protection as standard with every domestic consumer unit upgrade, which protects against transient over voltages from the DNO supply side, helping protect sensitive equipment plugged in and hard wired to the electrical installation.  

3) Reasons to Upgrade

• Outdated equipment (e.g., rewireable fuses)
• Lack of RCD protection for circuits supplying power externally and locations containing a bath / shower where the risk of electric shock is greater.  
• Increased electrical load (e.g., new appliances, EV chargers, Solar PV, BESS)
• Property renovation or extensions
• Insurance or legal requirements
• To Improve safety and compliance

4) What's Included in the Upgrade?

• Replacement of consumer unit with a modern 18th Edition-compliant consumer unit.
• Installation of RCBOs as standard to protect individual circuits
• Installation of AFDD’s on circuits supplying power to socket outlets.  
• Labelling and testing of all circuits.
• New meter tails and main earthing between the local isolator and consumer unit.
• Upgrading of existing bonding to incoming metallic supplies may also be required (Gas / Water).
• Digital Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued.
• Building Control Notification to your local building control, also commonly known as Part P Approved.

We do not charge extra for issuing certification or building control notifications.

5) HMO Fuse-board Upgrades in Liverpool

Question? Contact our Liverpool electricians today.