1

Best Practice Guide

Replacing a consumer
unit in domestic and
similar premises

Issue 4
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 Page 3

Replacing a consumer
unit in domestic and
similar premises

1. Aim can provide satisfactory overcurrent protection.

1.1. The aim of this Guide is to promote best
practice by providing practical advice and
guidance for designers, installers, verifiers and
inspectors where the consumer unit or other
main switchgear is being replaced in domestic
or similar premises wired in accordance with
earlier versions of the current edition of BS
7671. The guidance is intended to protect users
and installers against dangerous situations that
could arise from the existing installation.
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.
Further, a consumer unit need not be replaced
because it does not incorporate RCD protection,
as there may be ways to provide this protection
other than replacing the consumer unit.
Similarly, in light of the changes made in
Amendment No 3 of BS 7671: 2008, a consumer
unit need not be replaced because its enclosure
is made of combustible materials such as, for
example, plastic. See also Best Practice Guide
No 4. Electrical Installation Condition Reporting
- Classification Codes for Domestic and Similar
Electrical Installations

1.3. A consumer unit need not be replaced simply

because it has rewireable fuses, cartridge fuses
or older-type circuit-breakers, as these devices
Page 4

2. Limitation 3.5. Installers are reminded of the need to comply

with the relevant parts of the Electricity at
2.1. This guidance applies only to the replacement Work Regulations 1989 when replacing a
of a consumer unit, the reconnection of existing consumer unit. In particular, attention is drawn
circuits and the connection of any new circuits to:
installed during the work.
• regulation 12, Means for cutting off the supply
and for isolation,

3. Legal requirements • regulation 13, Precautions for work on

equipment made dead,
3.1. There is no legal requirement that calls for an
• regulation 14, Work on or near live
existing installation to be upgraded to current
conductors.
standards.
3.6. These regulations mean that, unless a suitable
3.2. However there is a requirement under the
isolating switch has been provided on the
Building Regulations for England and for Wales
supply side of the consumer unit for this
to leave the installation and the building no
purpose, arrangements will need to be made
worse in terms of the level of compliance with
with the Distribution Network Operator for
other applicable parts of Schedule 1 to the
the cut-out fuse to be withdrawn in order
Building Regulations than before the work was
to disconnect the incoming supply for the
undertaken. (Schedule 1 gives the requirements
purpose of isolation. Guidance on safe isolation
with which building work must comply).
procedures is given in Best Practice Guide No 2.
3.3. Similarly, the Scottish Building Standards
Technical Handbooks, which provide guidance
on achieving the standards set 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 before the Result of DIY work by a home owner where a 10.5 kW
electric shower was connected to a 45 A circuit-breaker
work begins, or, where the work is necessary using 2.5 mm² cable. (Photo courtesy of British Gas)
because of an emergency, the building control
body should be notified as soon as possible
after completion of the work.

4. Requirements of BS 7671
4.1. Replacing a consumer unit is an alteration to
that installation. Additions and alterations are
classed as new work. The work must therefore
be designed, erected and verified in accordance
with the requirements of the current edition of
BS 7671, as amended (Regulation 110.1.2(vi))
and must not impair the safety of the existing
installation (Regulation 610.5). On completion
of the verification of the work an Electrical
Installation Certificate must be issued
(Regulation 644.1).
4.2. BS 7671 does not require existing circuits to
be upgraded to current standards in order for
them to be connected to the outgoing ways of
the replacement consumer unit.
4.3. However, circuits that are defective or non-
compliant with the requirements of BS 7671
in a way that would result in immediate or
potential danger must not be reconnected to
the consumer unit.
4.4. Where a consumer unit is being replaced,
additional protection by means of RCDs in
accordance with Regulation 415.1 must be
provided to the extent required by the current
edition of BS 7671, as amended, such as for:
• socket-outlets (Regulation 411.3.3)
• mobile equipment for use outdoors
(Regulation 411.3.3)
• cables concealed in floors, ceilings, walls or
partitions (Regulations 522.6.201 to 203 as
appropriate)
• low voltage circuits serving a location
containing a bath or a shower or passing
through the zones of the location ( (Regulation
701.411.3.3).
• AC final circuits supplying luminaires
Page 5
4.5. Circuits that are to be provided with RCD
protection must be divided between a sufficient
number of RCDs or otherwise designed as
necessary to avoid hazards and minimise
inconvenience in the event of a fault (Regulations
314.1 and 314.2).
4.6. A consumer unit must not be replaced until it has
been established that:
• the rating and condition of any existing
equipment, including that of the distributor,
will be adequate for the altered circumstances,
and
• the earthing and bonding arrangements
necessary for the safety of the alteration are
adequate (Regulation 132.16).
4.7. Any defects found in the reconnected
circuits that would not result in immediate
or potential danger must be recorded in the
Comments on existing installation section of the
Electrical Installation Certificate issued for the
replacement of the consumer unit.
Note. Guidance on classification codes attributable to
damage, defects and non-compliances is given in Best
Practice Guide No 4.
5. Main earthing, main protective
bonding and meter tails
5.1. The installer must verify, as a minimum, that:
a) The main earthing terminal of the installation is
connected to an adequate means of earthing via
a suitably sized earthing conductor, (see notes
1, 2 and 5), b) The main protective bonding is
adequate, (see notes 3 and 5), and
c) The meter tails and the distributor’s equipment
have adequate current-carrying capacity (see
notes 4 and 5).
d) The polarity of the incoming supply is correct.
Page 6
Notes:
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.
3. A 6 mm² main protective bonding conductor size could
be deemed adequate where the minimum size required by
Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671 is 10 mm², if the bonding
conductors have been in place for a significant time and
show no 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 account diversity and load profile) does not exceed the
current-carrying capacity of the tails, and also provided that
the requirements of Regulation 434.5.2 for protection of the
tails against fault current are met.
5. Some electricity distributors have requirements regarding
the earthing conductor, main protective bonding conductors
and meter tails that exceed the requirements of BS 7671.
Local requirements should be confirmed before starting
work.
5.2. If any of conditions 5.1.a), b), c) or d) are not
met, the customer should be informed that
upgrading is required. If the customer refuses,
the installer should not proceed with the
replacement of the consumer unit until the
necessary remedial work is undertaken.
6. Reason for change
6.1. The replacement of a consumer unit could be a
planned change (see Section 6.2.) or a distress
change (see Section 6.3.).
6.2. Planned change
6.2.1. The initial approach of the contractor planning
the replacement of the consumer unit should
be to encourage the customer to have an
Electrical Installation Condition Report
prepared on the installation in advance of the
consumer unit being replaced.
6.2.2. If the customer refuses, a pre-work survey
should be carried out to ascertain if there are
any immediate or potential dangers or if there
is any condition that would cause unwanted
tripping of an RCD, in the existing installation
affected by the change. As a minimum the
survey should include:
• making enquiries with the user as to whether
there are any known defects, faults or damage,
• an internal visual inspection of the existing
consumer unit to determine, amongst other
things, the type and condition of the wiring
system used for the installation,
• an external visual inspection of other readily
accessible parts of the installation,
• a measurement of the external earth fault loop
impedance (Ze),
• a test of circuit protective conductor continuity
at the end of each final circuit,
• a test of earth fault loop impedance at readily
accessible socket-outlets and
• an insulation resistance measurement of
the whole installation at the consumer unit,
between the live conductors connected
together and the protective conductor
connected to the earthing arrangement.
6.2.3. If any condition that would present an
immediate danger, potential danger, or cause
the unwanted tripping of an RCD is found, the
customer should be informed that remedial
work is necessary to improve safety.
Note:
Immediate danger corresponds to one or more observations
that would warrant a code C1 classification. Potential
danger corresponds to one or more observations that would
warrant a code C2 classification. Guidance on classification
codes attributable to damage, defects and on-compliances
found during a periodic inspection is given in Best Practice
Guide No 4.
6.2.4. Depending on the extent, the remedial work
could involve considerable additional cost, not
only in installing new cables or accessories, but
also in the renewal of decorations, unless the
customer is willing to accept surface wiring.

6.2.5. If the customer is unable, or not prepared
to accept the cost of the remedial works,
but still requires a new consumer unit to be
installed, the installer needs to carry out a risk
assessment as described in section 7 of this
Guide.
6.3. Distress change
6.3.1. A distress change occurs when the consumer
unit has suffered damage, has become
unusable through overheating, or is in a
dangerous condition with exposed live parts.
This situation usually requires immediate
replacement of the consumer unit. However,
the installation of the consumer unit must still
comply with the requirements of the current
edition of BS 7671, as amended. This means,
amongst other things, that requirements a),
b), c) and d) referred to in Section 5.1. must be
met.
6.3.2. It should be explained to the occupant before
the consumer unit is replaced that: if an
immediately dangerous condition is found in
an existing final circuit, it will not be possible
to reconnect that circuit until the necessary
remedial action is carried out, and it will be
necessary to return to the installation to carry
out any further work that would have been
required had the replacement of the consumer
unit been planned. This further work, where
required, must be carried out without delay.
Note:
It is recommended that a record of the customer’s
agreement to the above is obtained and suitably recorded.
Page 7
7. Risk assessment
7.1. As stated in Section 6.2.5. where it is proposed
to replace a consumer unit but the customer
is unable or unwilling to accept either the
cost or disruption of remedial works, a risk
assessment should be undertaken. This is for
the purpose of advising the customer as to the
level of risk that would exist on completion
of the proposed work. A disclaimer does not
absolve the installer from responsibility.
7.2. In all cases, the initial approach should
be to encourage the customer that
remedial action should be taken to
correct or remove any immediate danger,
potential danger or condition that would
cause unwanted tripping of an RCD.
7.3. The risk assessment requires inspection
and testing (except to the extent that
these have already been carried out as
part of the Electrical Installation Condition
Reporting or any pre-work survey).
7.4. The inspection and testing is necessary
to establish, for the circuits concerned,
at least whether or not there are:
a) any immediate dangers (observations that
would warrant a code C1 classification in an
Electrical Installation Condition Report),
b) any potential dangers (observations that
would warrant a code C2 classification in an
Electrical Installation Condition Report), or
c) any lighting circuits that do not have a
circuit protective conductor (cpc).
d) any circuits wired using lead sheathed
or rubber insulated cables.
Page 8
8. Action following risk
assessment
8.1. If the risk assessment indicates that
there are no immediately dangerous
conditions and no potentially dangerous
conditions, the replacement of the
consumer unit may proceed.
8.2. If any immediately dangerous conditions
or potentially dangerous conditions
are indicated the consumer unit
should not be replaced unless:
• the defects are corrected, or
• the defective circuits are left disconnected
from the replacement consumer unit.
8.3. If there are any lighting circuits that
do not have a protective conductor,
the recommendations of Section 10
of this Guide should be followed.
8.4. If there are any circuits wired in lead
sheathed or rubber insulated cables,
the recommendations of Section 11
of this Guide should be followed.
9. Inspection, testing and
certification
9.1. The alteration or additions themselves (the
installation of the replacement consumer
unit and any other new work, such as
additional final circuits) should be verified
fully in accordance with the requirements of
Section 641 of BS 7671, as amended, and an
Electrical Installation Certificate, together with
schedules of inspection and schedules of test
results, based on the models in Appendix 6 of
BS 7671, should be given by the installer to
the customer (Regulations 644.1 and 644.3).
9.2. As a minimum, the following tests should be
carried out on the existing circuits connected
to the replacement consumer unit:
• A test of the continuity of the protective
conductor of each circuit, to the point
or accessory electrically furthest
from the consumer unit and to each
accessible exposed-conductive-part.
• A test of the continuity of ring final circuit
conductors on all ring final circuits.
• A measurement of the combined insulation
resistance of all the circuits. The measurement
need only be made between the line and
neutral conductors connected together and
the protective conductor connected to the
earthing arrangement, to avoid potential
damage to any electronic components.
• A confirmtion of the polarity,
• A test to establish the fault loop impedance
(Zs), at each accessible socket-outlet and at
least one point or accessory in every other
circuit, preferably the point or accessory
electrically furthest from the consumer unit.
Note: Testing of each RCD using both a test
instrument and the integral test facility
in the device should have been carried
out under Section 9.1 of this Guide.
9.3. The Electrical Installation Certificate should
identify, in the Comments on existing
installation section, any defects which
exist in the reconnected circuits for which
improvement is recommended (observations
that would warrant a code C3 classification in
an Electrical Installation Condition Report). 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 this on
the certificate with a recommendation that
a Condition Report should be carried out.

10. Lighting circuits having no
protective conductor
10.1. This guidance fully recognises that unearthed
lighting circuits do not comply with BS 7671.
10.2. In homes built before 1966, the Wiring
Regulations current at that time did not
require a protective conductor to be
taken to every lighting point and related
accessory as is the case nowadays.
10.3. It is strongly recommended that a lighting
circuit having no protective conductor
should not be reconnected unless:
• it is rewired with cables having
a protective conductor, or
• a circuit protective conductor is provided
with a means of connection available
at all accessible points of that circuit.
10.4. Where the customer will not agree to one
of the remedial measures described in
Section 10.3. of this Guide the customer
should be advised that the circuit cannot
be reconnected unless they agree to
have all associated metallic or Class I
fittings or accessories present replaced
by all-insulated or Class II alternatives.
10.5. Risk assessment testing for a lighting
circuit having no protective conductor with
metallic or Class I fittings or accessories
10.5.1. As an absolute last resort and only 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 fittings or accessories by similar
items of Class II construction, the following
risk assessment may be applied, with all
testing carried out with the supply to the
consumer unit in question safely isolated:
10.5.2. Carry out a continuity test applied
between the earthing terminal in the
Page 9
existing consumer unit and all Class I light
fittings and metal plate accessories. If the
resistance value is 1 Ω or less, the equipment
may be considered to be earthed.
10.5.3. An insulation resistance test should be
applied between the live conductors (line and
neutral connected together) and the earthing
terminal in the consumer unit, with that
terminal connected to the means of earthing.
The resistance should be at least 1 MΩ.
10.5.4. An insulation resistance test should be
applied between line and neutral connected
together and the exposed-conductive-parts
of every Class I lighting fitting and metal
switch plate found to not be earthed by the
continuity testing described in Section 10.5.2.
The resistance should be at least 1 MΩ.
10.5.5 If the circuit does not fulfil the requirements
of either 10.5.3 or 10.5.4. 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.
10.6. If the customer will not agree to the risk
assessment as described in Section 10.5.
being carried out, they should be advised
that a lighting circuit having no protective
conductor that has metal or Class I switches,
light fittings or other accessories fitted
is potentially dangerous (and so would
warrant a Code C2 classification in an
Electrical Installation Condition Report).
This will mean that the circuit cannot
be connected into a new consumer
unit (see Section 4.3 of this Guide).
10.7. It should be noted that the protective
measure double or reinforced insulation
is only applicable to electrical installations
or circuits therein that are under effective
supervision in normal use to ensure that
Page 10

no change is made that would impair
the effectiveness of the protective
measure (regulation 412.1.2). Domestic
and similar premises falling within the
scope of this Guide cannot be considered
to be under effective supervision.
10.8. Subject to the recommendations of
Section 10.3 to 10.5 of this Guide being
met, where lighting circuits having no
protective conductor are connected to a new
consumer unit, it is strongly recommended
that a warning notice with black letters
on a yellow background should be fixed
on or adjacent to the consumer unit:
testing. Consideration for the renewal of
cables should also take into account the
requirements for earthing the lead sheath.
12. Procedure
12.1. The procedures described in this
Best Practice Guide are summarised
in the flowcharts in Annex A.
13. References to other Best
Practice Guides
13.1. 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.

10.9. On completion of the work a record
of any non-compliances, including
the lack of protective conductors on
the lighting circuits, must made in
the Comments on existing installation
section of the electrical installation
certificate issued to cover the work
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
domestic and similar electrical installations.

11. Lead sheathed and rubber

insulated cables
11.1. In all cases where lead sheathed or rubber
insulated cables are encountered it is
strongly recommended that the consumer
unit should not be changed until the cables
are replaced. This is because an unacceptable
level of deterioration of the insulation is
likely to occur whilst the cables are handled
during removal of the old consumer
unit and their re-termination into the
replacement consumer unit and subsequent
 Page 11

Annex A
A1 Distress Change

Inial enquiry

change

Customer agrees to
Yes No
a pre-work survey?

Main earthing, main

bonding and Customer agrees to
No No
consumer’s meter remedial work?
tails all adequate?

Yes Yes

Any code C1 or C2 Carry out remedial

observaons or work
anything to cause Leave circuit
unwanted RCD Customer agrees to disconnected or do
Yes No
operaon? remedial work? not change
consumer unit

No

Carry out remedial

Yes
work
Any lead-sheathed
or rubber insulated
cables present? Yes
No

No

Exceponally, does
Does customer
Any Class I circuit meet risk
agree to
Any ligh ng circuits equipment or assessment
Yes Yes replacement by No
having no cpc? accessories in requirements given
Class II equipment
circuit? in Secon 10.5 of
or accessories?
this guide?

No Yes

Yes
Install Class II
equipment /
accessories

Affix presence of
unearthed lighng
No
circuit label to consumer
unit front

Replace consumer unit

and connect only those

compliances

Return to premises at
earliest opportunity
Remedy any code C3
non-compliances (if
agreed)
Complete work
Finalise inspecon and
tesng Issue Electrical Nofy Building control
Issue Electrical Installaon Cerficate (England and Wales)
Installaon Cerficate
Annex A
A2 Planned Change

Inial enquiry

change

Customer agrees to
Yes No
EICR?

Main earthing, main Customer agrees to

bonding and Yes No
a pre-work survey
consumer’s meter
tails are adequate

Customer agrees to
No No
remedial work?

Yes
Carry out remedial
Yes
work

Any code C1 or C2
observa ons or
Customer agrees to
anything to cause Yes No
remedial work?
unwanted RCD
opera on?

No

Carry out remedial

Yes
work
Leave circuit
Any lead-sheathed
disconnected or
or rubber insulated
Do not change
cables present?
consumer unit
Yes

No No

Does customer
Any Class I
agree to
Any lighng circuits equipment or
Yes Yes replacement by No
having no cpc? accessories in
Class II equipment
circuit?
or accessories?
Exceponally, does
circuit meet risk
assessment
No
No Yes requirements given
in Secon 10.5 of
this guide?

Install Class II
equipment /
accessories

Affix presence of
unearthed lighng
circuit label to consumer Yes
unit front

Replace
consumer unit

Issue Electrical Nofy Building

Finalise inspecon
Installaon control
and tesng
Cerficate (England and Wales)
 11 22 33
Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide

Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide

Guidance on the Connecting a

Guidance
management of on the Connecting a

44 55 66
microgeneration
Replacing
unit in domestic anda consumer
Replacing a consumer
electrical safety system to a domestic
similar premises
unit in domestic and management
and safe isolation
procedures for
of microgeneration
or similar electrical
installation in

similar
Issue 4 premises electrical
low voltage
installations
safety system to a domestic
parallel with the
main supply
and
Issue 4safe isolation orIssuesimilar
4 electrical
procedures for installation in
low voltage parallel with the
Issue 4
installations main supply
Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide Issue 4
Best Practice Guide Issue 4

Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide

77 88 99
Electrical installation Electrical installations Portable and stationery
Electrical
condition reporting: installation Electrical installations
and their impact on
the fire performance of Portable
private rented and stationery
appliance testing in
Classification codes for
condition
domestic and similar reporting:
electrical installations
and their impact on
domestic premises used
as single family houses appliance
accomodation
testing in
the
Issuefire performance of private rented
Issue 3
Classification codes for
3
Issue 5

domestic and similar domestic premises used accomodation

Best Practice Guide
electrical installations as single family houses
Issue 3
Issue 3
Issue 5
Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide

Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide Best Practice Guide

Test instruments for Selection and use of Safe installation of

Test instruments
electrical installations: for Selection and use of
plug-in socket-outlet
test devices
Safe installation
retrofit LED lamps of
Accuracy and
electrical
consistency installations: plug-in
Issue 3
socket-outlet retrofit
Issue 1
LED lamps
Accuracy
Issue 3 and test devices
consistency Issue 1
Issue 3
Issue 3

The latest versions of all the BestPracticeGuides

are available to download from www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

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