FuseBox Consumer Units, RCBOs, AFDDs & More

FuseBox is a leading brand of electrical consumer units – commonly known as fuse boxes or fuse boards in the UK – offering high-quality yet affordable circuit protection solutions. Whether you’re a professional electrician or a safety-conscious homeowner, FuseBox consumer units deliver reliable electrical protection for your home’s circuits, fully compliant with the latest standards. In this guide, we’ll explain what a fuse box is and why it’s important, explore the FuseBox brand’s reputation and features, compare FuseBox with other brands like Hager and Wylex, and answer frequently asked questions for both tradespeople and homeowners. 

What Is a Fuse Box (Consumer Unit) and Why Does It Matter?

A fuse box, officially called a consumer unit, is the main electrical distribution panel in your home. It divides the incoming electricity into separate circuits (lighting, sockets, appliances, etc.) and houses safety devices – fuses or circuit breakers – for each circuit. Modern consumer units also include a main isolator switch and often RCDs/RCBOs (residual current devices/breakers) that cut power in the event of an earth fault. In the UK, this distribution panel is typically referred to as the consumer unit, but many people still use terms like fuse board or fuse box.

Why is the fuse box so important? Simply put, it’s the safety hub of your electrical system. By disconnecting power during overloads or short circuits, it prevents electrical fires and shocks, protecting both your property and family. If a consumer unit is old or faulty and fails to trip when it should, the consequences can be severe – from damaged appliances to fire hazards. That’s why having a modern, compliant fuse box (consumer unit) is crucial for every household. It ensures your home meets current electrical safety regulations and keeps you safe by instantly cutting off power when something goes wrong.

The FuseBox Brand – Affordable Quality Trusted by Electricians

FuseBox’s slogan, “Making Electricians Smile,” reflects its strong focus on installer-friendly design and value. FuseBox (the trading name of CP Electric Ltd.) burst onto the UK electrical scene in 2017. In a short time, it has “taken the industry by storm,” challenging older, more established manufacturers with its combination of quality and affordability. FuseBox is a UK-based brand, with design and manufacturing based in Kilmarnock, Scotland, which means its products are built specifically for UK regulations and installation practices.

Despite being a relative newcomer, FuseBox quickly became a favoured choice of thousands of electricians across the UK. The company’s eye-catching pink branding was just the start – behind it are genuine product advantages that trade professionals appreciate. Affordability is a major plus: FuseBox offers a premium build quality at an exceptional price point, so it “won’t break the bank and most importantly won’t let you down”. Installers found that FuseBox provides the same essential performance and safety as top-tier brands, but at a more competitive cost. It’s a “premium brand at an exceptional price” according to one leading wholesaler.

Another key to FuseBox’s reputation is reliability. All FuseBox products are designed to conform to the latest British Standards and wiring regulations, and each unit is independently tested for safety. In practice, electricians report that FuseBox consumer units are very dependable in service – on par with long-established brands. On industry forums, many professionals say they consider FuseBox and Hager both “really reliable, good quality kit”, which speaks volumes about how far FuseBox’s reputation has come in just a few years.

Finally, FuseBox has earned popularity by being installer-focused. The brand actively listened to electrician feedback in its early days, using it to improve product design. This resulted in user-friendly features (from layout to accessories) that make installation and maintenance easier – truly “giving the end user what they want: a quality, cost-effective circuit protection solution delivered when you need it.”  The strong word-of-mouth on social media (you’ll often see electricians proudly posting their FuseBox installs) shows how well FuseBox has connected with the trade community. In summary, FuseBox’s advantages can be summed up as: UK-built quality, compliance with latest regs, easy installation, rock-solid reliability – all at a price that undercuts many competitors. It’s no wonder FuseBox is now one of the fastest growing circuit protection brands in the UK.

Key Features of FuseBox Consumer Units

FuseBox consumer units (fuse boards) come packed with features that appeal to both professionals and homeowners, ensuring safety, compliance, and convenience. Here are some of the key product features and benefits of FuseBox units:

• Fully 18th Edition Compliant: All FuseBox boards meet the latest BS 7671 (18th Edition) wiring regulations requirements for domestic consumer units. They use all-metal, fire-resistant enclosures (as required since 2015) and accommodate the newest protective technologies mandated by the 18th Edition and its amendments. This means your FuseBox unit is up-to-date with current UK electrical safety standards out of the box.

• Integrated Surge Protection (SPD): Many FuseBox consumer units include or come with provisions for a Type 2 Surge Protection Device. In fact, the most popular models in the range are supplied with a 100A main switch incomer and a built-in surge protector as standard. Surge Protection Devices safeguard your home’s appliances from voltage spikes on the network. With FuseBox, you have the option of boards that include SPD from the start, or at the very least, extra space to easily add an SPD later. This future-proofs your installation against power surges and complies with the 18th Edition recommendation for surge protection in many homes.

• RCBOs on Every Circuit: FuseBox specializes in RCBO-based consumer units, meaning each circuit can have its own RCBO (Residual-Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection). An RCBO combines the functions of an MCB (overload/short-circuit protection) and an RCD (earth fault protection) into one device. By having individual RCBOs, a fault on one circuit will trip only that circuit, leaving the rest of your house powered – no more whole-home blackouts from a single fault. FuseBox’s RCBOs are Type A as standard (sensitive to AC and pulsating DC leakage) to meet modern requirements. They even offer mini RCBOs that are compact in size (one module wide) yet double-pole, isolating line and neutral for extra safety – these mini RCBOs free up about 30% more wiring space inside the unit, while still providing full protection.

• Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDD) Ready: FuseBox has embraced the latest in electrical fire safety by introducing single-module AFDD units that combine an Arc Fault Detection Device with an RCBO. AFDDs monitor for dangerous electrical arcing in circuits (often caused by damaged cables or loose connections) and disconnect the power before an arc can start a fire. FuseBox released their first single-width AFDD RCBO in 2022, making advanced arc fault protection available for homes. While AFDDs are not yet mandatory on all circuits, FuseBox units are “up to date with all regulations” and ready to accommodate AFDDs in line with the latest 18th Edition recommendations.

• Spacious, Installer-Friendly Design: One hallmark of FuseBox consumer units is their ease of installation. These boards are designed for electricians, by electricians, and it shows in the thoughtful layout. The enclosures are made from robust electro-galvanised steel with a powder-coated finish for durability, and they are extremely spacious inside, allowing plenty of room to dress and route cables neatly. Each unit features a removable DIN rail to make mounting breakers and devices simpler, and extra knockouts for cable entry – all aimed at saving the installer time and hassle. The result is a neat, accessible fuse board that makes future maintenance or circuit additions straightforward.

• Reliability and Safety Built In: All FuseBox units use high-quality internal components (busbars, terminals, breakers) that are rigorously tested. They are designed not just to meet standards but to exceed everyday performance expectations. For example, the FuseBox RCBOs and MCBs are known to hold up under tightening without casing cracks, and the busbar design resists warping – issues that can plague cheaper consumer unit brands. FuseBox’s adherence to UK manufacturing quality control means homeowners and electricians alike can trust that a FuseBox board will “not let you down” in the long run.

In summary, a FuseBox consumer unit offers everything you’d want in a modern fuse board: comprehensive circuit protection (overload, short-circuit, earth leakage, surge, arc faults), compliance with the latest safety regulations, and a user-friendly design that makes installation and future upgrades easier. It’s a complete package for 21st-century home electrical safety.

FuseBox vs. Other Brands (Hager & Wylex)

FuseBox’s rapid rise naturally invites comparison with other popular consumer unit brands in the UK, especially Hager and Wylex. Both Hager and Wylex are long-established names that many electricians and homeowners will recognize. Here’s how FuseBox stacks up against them in terms of value, ease of use, and installer preference:

• Hager vs FuseBox: Hager is a well-respected European brand (with a strong UK presence) known for its premium build quality and innovative design. Hager consumer units are widely praised for their durability, advanced safety features, and even an easy installation process. However, this premium reputation comes with a higher price tag. For budget-conscious projects or everyday homeowner needs, Hager can be significantly more expensive than FuseBox for a similar configuration – sometimes “double the price” for equivalent RCBO protection, according to some electricians’ experience. By contrast, FuseBox offers comparable quality and compliance at a more competitive price point. Electricians often comment that they are happy to use FuseBox as well as Hager, finding both to be reliable and high-quality choices. Essentially, FuseBox has carved out a niche as the value leader: you get all the crucial features (metal enclosure, RCD/RCBO protection, SPD, etc.) and solid build quality, without paying a premium. For many installers, that makes FuseBox a go-to for typical domestic installations, reserving Hager for cases where a client specifically requests it or where its particular design might suit a complex job. In terms of ease of use, both brands are considered installer-friendly, but FuseBox’s little touches (like extra cabling space and flexible configurations) have been specifically lauded by those doing retrofits and rewires. In summary, Hager remains a top-tier choice with a long track record, but FuseBox provides the same safety and almost the same level of quality at a fraction of the cost, which is why so many electricians have “switched” to FuseBox in recent years.

• Wylex vs FuseBox: Wylex is a classic British brand that for decades was virtually synonymous with the domestic fuse box – you’ll still find old Wylex fuse boards with rewireable fuses in many older homes, and their modern consumer units are common in new-builds and renovations. Wylex has a well-earned reputation for durability and safety, and as part of the larger Electrium/Siemens group, they have a broad range of products. However, Wylex’s standard consumer units haven’t always been as feature-rich or cost-effective as FuseBox’s offerings. For example, early adoption of things like all-RCBO boards or single-module AFDDs has not been Wylex’s forte, whereas FuseBox focused on these modern features from the start. In terms of value, FuseBox generally comes out ahead – Wylex units and accessories can be pricier, and some electricians feel that FuseBox gives the same (or better) functionality for less money. In fact, some professionals have “gone off” Wylex in recent years, especially after encountering some product recall issues in the past, which shook confidence for a few installers. Those instances drove many to seek alternatives, and FuseBox was ready with a fresh approach and robust products.

  When it comes to ease of installation, many installers find FuseBox’s design more straightforward. Wylex boards are certainly not bad – they’ve improved their enclosures and offer heavy-duty busbars – but FuseBox’s extra attention to installer feedback (like more wiring space and the convenience of double-pole RCBOs) gives it an edge. For example, FuseBox provides double-pole (switched neutral) RCBOs by default, which “makes life easy” when isolating circuits fully; Wylex now offers similar devices, but FuseBox was notable for this early on.

  In terms of installer preference, the market is clearly showing a trend: FuseBox has become extremely popular among UK electricians, often becoming the new default choice for domestic consumer unit upgrades. That’s not to say Wylex isn’t used – it still is widely installed and is a reliable brand – but when polled, many electricians mention FuseBox as their preferred option unless there’s a specific reason to stick with another brand. FuseBox’s combination of modern features, user-friendly design, and cost-effectiveness simply hits a sweet spot that has drawn many installers away from the older brands. As one electrical wholesaler put it, “FuseBox changed the way domestic circuit protection is marketed and delivered to the wholesaler, the installer and ultimately the end user,” by providing a premium product at a budget-friendly price.

Bottom line: Both Hager and Wylex offer quality consumer units with strong pedigrees. Hager is often chosen for top-end jobs and has a premium cost; Wylex is a long-standing standard with proven safety. But FuseBox manages to offer the best of both worlds – high quality and adherence to standards like the big names, but with an installer-driven focus and affordability that set it apart. It’s this value and convenience factor that has made FuseBox one of the most recommended brands for consumer units among UK electricians today.

FuseBox Consumer Units FAQ

What is a fuse box and do I need a “consumer unit”?

A fuse box – properly called a consumer unit in the UK – is the electrical panel that distributes power around your home and protects each circuit with a fuse or circuit breaker. In essence, it’s the control center for your home’s electricity. You absolutely need one, and every building has some form of main distribution board. Modern consumer units use MCBs (mini circuit breakers) or RCBOs (combined RCD + MCB) instead of old-style fuses, and include switches like a main isolator and often RCD safety devices. The consumer unit is crucial because it guards against electrical hazards – if there’s an overload or short circuit on a circuit, the fuse box will trip that circuit off, preventing fires and shocks. It also allows you to cut power to the whole installation via the main switch when necessary (for maintenance or in an emergency). In the UK, regulations require that domestic consumer units be made of metal (to contain fires) and have RCD protection on most circuits, so a modern consumer unit (fuse board) is a key part of a safe, compliant home electrical system.

When should I consider replacing my fuse box (consumer unit)?

You should consider upgrading or replacing your fuse box if it is outdated or showing signs of problems. Here are some common situations when a replacement is advised:

• Age and Obsolete Design: If you have an old fuse box with traditional rewireable fuses (or an old plastic consumer unit from decades ago), it likely lacks modern safety features like RCDs. Fuse boxes over ~20-30 years old probably do not meet current standards and may not comply with the latest regulations. For example, units installed before the 1990s often have no RCD protection and use fuse wires, which are less reliable. Upgrading to a new consumer unit will significantly improve safety with circuit breakers and RCD/RCBO protection.

• Frequent Tripping or Electrical Issues: If your circuits are constantly tripping or fuses blowing, it could indicate the existing consumer unit is struggling (perhaps due to being undersized or having worn-out breakers). While tripping can mean a fault in an appliance or wiring, repeated nuisance trips might hint that the consumer unit’s protective devices are old or overly sensitive, or that your home’s electrical load has increased beyond what the panel can handle. Rather than replacing individual breakers on a very old board, it can be more effective to install a new unit with all-new RCBOs that ensure more stable performance.

• Visible Damage or Faults: Any signs of damage or overheating in the fuse box are a red flag. For instance, burnt-looking fuse holders, a melting plastic smell, charring on the enclosure, or buzzing sounds are all indications of wear or impending failure. A consumer unit is not meant to make noise or show scorch marks – if it does, it’s time to replace it before a bigger problem occurs.

• Home Improvements or Added Circuits: If you’re renovating your home, adding an extension, or putting in energy-hungry installations (like an electric shower, heat pump, or EV charger), you might need a larger or newer consumer unit to accommodate the extra circuits. Older fuse boxes often have limited ways (slots) and no room for expansion. Upgrading to a modern consumer unit with more capacity (and the latest protection devices) ensures your new circuits are properly protected and that the system remains balanced. In fact, any significant electrical work in your home will often prompt the electrician to recommend a consumer unit upgrade if the existing one isn’t up to scratch.

• Safety Compliance: Sometimes an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – an inspection of your wiring – will explicitly recommend a fuse board replacement. This could be due to non-compliance (e.g. no RCDs on circuits that need them, or a wooden-backed fuse box which is now a fire hazard). To comply with current UK regulations and for peace of mind, many homeowners choose to upgrade the fuse box, even if the old one hasn’t had a major failure. It’s an investment in safety. Modern units with dual RCDs or RCBOs, plus options for surge and arc fault protection, bring your home up to today’s standards and greatly reduce the risk of electrical fires or shock.

In summary, if your fuse board is very old, problematic, or insufficient for your needs, it’s wise to replace it. A new FuseBox consumer unit (installed by a qualified electrician) will not only resolve existing issues but also make your electrical system safer and ready for the future.

Why choose a FuseBox consumer unit over other brands?

FuseBox has become a top choice for many electricians and savvy homeowners because it offers an ideal balance of safety, quality, and value. Here are a few reasons to choose FuseBox over other brands:

• Complete Safety & Compliance: FuseBox units come with all the latest protective technology – you get modern circuit breakers, RCDs/RCBOs on all circuits, surge protection, and even support for AFDDs. In other words, a FuseBox board provides total circuit protection that meets the newest UK electrical regulations. You won’t be compromising on safety features versus a more expensive brand.

• Trusted Quality and Reliability: Although FuseBox is newer on the market, it’s proven itself quickly. These units are well-built and robust, using quality components. Electricians have found FuseBox boards to be dependable and long-lasting – effectively a “premium” product but at a mid-range price. Many professionals now trust FuseBox as much as (or more than) older brands like Wylex or MK. In reviews and forums, they report that FuseBox consumer units are solid, with no flimsy parts, and perform without issues in daily use.

• Affordability (Value for Money): One of the biggest advantages is cost. FuseBox offers similar (or better) specifications compared to high-end brands, but usually at a significantly lower price point. For example, a fully loaded FuseBox 10-way consumer unit with RCBOs and SPD can often be obtained much cheaper than an equivalent Hager or Wylex board. This makes FuseBox extremely appealing for those on a budget or contractors doing multiple upgrades. You get excellent value without skimping on safety or features.

• Ease of Installation & Use: FuseBox units are designed with the installer in mind, which means if you’re having one fitted (or fitting it yourself as a professional) the process is smoother. They have spacious interiors, clear labeling, and clever design touches like the removable DIN rail and extra knockout entries. This can result in a neater job and less installation time (which might even save you on labor costs). For the homeowner, a well-laid-out consumer unit also means it’s easier to reset breakers or add new circuits in the future if needed. FuseBox boards also tend to come with a good accessory pack (labels, grommets, blanking plates, etc.), so you have everything needed to do a tidy installation.

• Popularity Among Professionals: There’s a reason FuseBox has quickly become a favorite among UK electricians. The people who work with these boards every day often recommend them due to their positive experiences. Choosing a FuseBox unit effectively means you’re opting for a brand that the experts trust. It’s reassuring to know that the folks installing these in countless homes prefer them for their reliability and features. This professional endorsement suggests that, by choosing FuseBox, you’re likely to be satisfied with the result.

In summary, you should choose a FuseBox consumer unit if you want cutting-edge protection, proven quality, and great value all in one. FuseBox has distinguished itself from other brands by delivering premium safety and performance at a price that’s hard to beat – all while being built to UK standards and loved by the very electricians who install them. It’s an excellent choice for upgrading your home’s fuse box to keep your electrical system safe and sound for years to come.