Most homeowners rarely think about their fuseboard—until something goes wrong. But the truth is, that small grey box could be one of the most important safety systems in your home.
If your electrical system still relies on outdated protection (no RCDs, no surge protection, fuse wire instead of circuit breakers), you could be exposing your family and property to avoidable risks.
In this post, we’ll break down what modern protection looks like, and why it matters more than ever.
🔌 What Are RCBOs and SPDs — And Why Should You Care?
RCBOs: Residual Current Devices with Overcurrent Protection
RCBOs are the modern standard in fuseboard safety. Unlike old breakers that only shut off power during an overload, RCBOs can also detect life-threatening faults, like current leaking to earth — a common cause of electric shocks.
In short:
Old breakers protect wires. RCBOs protect people.
SPDs: Surge Protection Devices
Power surges happen more than you think — lightning strikes, energy supplier faults, and even faulty appliances can send damaging voltage through your system.
SPDs absorb that spike before it fries your electronics or starts a fire. Without them, you could lose thousands in damaged appliances.
✅ Why an RCBO Fuseboard with SPD Makes Sense
Upgrading to an RCBO board with surge protection doesn’t just bring your home up to modern standards — it gives you:
- Greater Safety – Each circuit is protected individually
- Fewer Nuisance Trips – Faults in one circuit don’t affect others
- Peace of Mind – You’re protected against surges and shocks
- Cost Savings – Reduces risk of damage to appliances & wiring
🧾 The EICR — Your Electrical Safety MOT
Before upgrading your fuseboard, it’s smart to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It’s like an MOT for your electrics.
We often find homes in the Selby area still using circuit breakers without any RCD protection—which means the system might be shielding your cables, but not you or your family. That’s a serious safety gap.
If your EICR flags issues, we’ll walk you through your options clearly — no jargon, no pressure.
⚠️ The Risks of Sticking with an Old Fuseboard
Think your old system is “fine”? Here’s what we see every week:
🔥 Increased Fire Risk
Old fuseboards are more likely to overheat and spark electrical fires — especially in homes with high appliance use.
⚡ Frequent Faults & Power Cuts
Outdated gear doesn’t handle modern electrical loads well. Tripping circuits and faulty breakers become a common annoyance.
😬 Risk of Electric Shock
Without RCD protection, your system may not shut down fast enough in a fault — and that can be fatal.
💸 Financial Loss
A small fault can ruin appliances, lead to wiring damage, or cause insurance issues after a fire.
🛠️ It’s Not Just a Fuseboard — It’s Your Home’s Safety Net
Upgrading your consumer unit is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to a home — both for safety and for future-proofing.
Whether you’re renovating, adding new circuits, or just want peace of mind, this is one of those upgrades that pays for itself in protection and peace of mind.
📍 Areas We Cover
We proudly serve homeowners across:
- Selby
- Swinefleet
- Howden
- York
- Pocklington
- North Cave
- Holme-On-Spalding-Moor
- Market Weighton
- Thorne and surrounding villages
✅ Thinking About an Upgrade?
We make it easy. From a free quote to a safe, clean install — no hard sell, just honest advice from a qualified local electrician.
[ Book Your Fuseboard Quote ]
Or give us a call on 01904 599109 and we’ll walk you through your options.
