A split-load board divides everything between two residual current devices. Upstairs lights and downstairs sockets on one, downstairs lights and upstairs sockets on the other — the idea being that you would never be left in complete darkness. In practice it means a single faulty appliance takes out a group of unrelated circuits, and finding the culprit involves unplugging half the house one item at a time. Boards of this type went into a great many of the estates around Cannock and Hednesford, and they are the most common upgrade we are asked about here.
The other thing that brings people to us is running out of room. An EV charger, an electric shower, a hot tub, solar and battery storage all need a way of their own with the right protection, and a board that is full or has no space for the type of device required leaves you stuck before you start. Sometimes the answer is a new consumer unit; sometimes it is genuinely not, and a separate enclosure alongside the existing board does the job at a fraction of the disruption. We will tell you which of those your installation needs rather than defaulting to the bigger job.
Where an inspection has flagged the board, the codes on the report tell us what actually has to change — and occasionally the board is the least of it. An EICR in Cannock is the honest starting point in that case. Otherwise read the wider fuse board replacement service, see everything we cover as an electrician in Cannock, look at EV charger installation in Cannock or a house rewire in Cannock, ask about commercial electrical work in Cannock, or ask for a free quote.
The four reasons boards get changed here, and the one where a change is not the answer.
With two shared RCDs, a fault anywhere in a group takes the group down. Individual protection per circuit ends that, but only after we have found what is causing it — a new board fitted over an unresolved fault simply trips on a smaller scale.
EV chargers, showers, hot tubs and battery storage each want their own correctly protected way. If the board is full, or cannot take the device type the equipment needs, that gets resolved before the new circuit is installed rather than bodged in beside it.
Where a report has flagged the consumer unit we work from the codes rather than a general impression. Some findings are satisfied by the board change alone, others point at circuits behind it, and you should know which before agreeing to anything.
Rented property brings its own paperwork. The certificate for a consumer unit change, alongside a current inspection report, is what agents and local authorities expect to see, and we issue it in a form that does not need explaining.
Not every board needs replacing. A relatively recent unit, sound circuits and a nuisance trip with an identifiable cause is a repair, not an upgrade. Saying that costs us a bigger job and keeps the customer, which is a trade we are happy with.
Four stages, starting with the reason you picked up the phone rather than with the board itself.
What is tripping, what you are adding or what the report says. That is the thing the work has to solve, and it shapes everything else.
Existing board, earthing and bonding, circuit condition and how many ways the finished installation needs, including anything planned for later.
Fault put right if there is one, new consumer unit fitted and every circuit reconnected, identified and labelled, with spare capacity where you need it.
Testing across the installation, RCD timings recorded, certificate issued and the work notified to building control through NAPIT.
Fuse boards, inspections, rewires and chargers all get done by the same electrician in Cannock; the towns either side get the same fuse board service.
What we get asked about consumer unit upgrades across WS11 and WS12.
Because the board splits the circuits between two RCDs rather than protecting each one separately. Anything faulty in a group brings the whole group down. Replacing it with a unit that has individual protection on every way confines the next fault to the circuit it came from.
Not always. What the charger needs is a way with the correct protection, and whether your existing board can provide that depends on its type and how full it is. If it cannot, a new consumer unit is one answer and a separate enclosure beside it is sometimes the better one.
It might not be. Age alone does not decide it; the shared RCD arrangement, the condition of the circuits and what you want to add all do. We look before recommending, and we are quite prepared to tell you that a repair is the sensible answer.
Yes, and we would rather do that before quoting for a board. Fitting a new consumer unit over an unresolved fault just moves the problem onto a smaller circuit. Fault finding first, board second, is the order that leaves you with something that works.
Yes. Our NAPIT registration under the Competent Person Scheme covers notification wherever the property is, so the correct building control body is informed and you receive the certificate without having to submit anything yourself.
Cannock and Hednesford, out through Heath Hayes and Norton Canes, and back down towards Featherstone and Essington. We are Wolverhampton based, so it is a quick run up and a visit is easy to arrange.
Real reviews from customers across Wolverhampton & the West Midlands. You deal directly with Adam, every time.
He was very prompt in fitting me in. Polite and helpful, and the price was cheaper than expected. Definitely recommended.
Adam was very efficient and friendly. He did a great job and left everything fixed and tidy. On time and great communication. Would definitely recommend.
ATF Electrics came out to fix our CCTV system that had 2 out of 4 cameras not working. After about 20 minutes he had located the wiring and fixed the issue. Quick job but saved me hundreds. So grateful for the help — will recommend to all my friends and family.
Excellent! Had a bathroom fan and several sockets channelled and fitted. Adam explained everything and answered all of our questions to make sure we got the fittings that suited our needs. Worked late into a Sunday evening to get the job finished, and even tidied as he went along. Would recommend!
Fabulous work, from beginning to end. Thorough and very respectful. Thank you!
Absolutely fantastic service, from start to finish. Very professional, fully knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend.
Adam is an excellent electrician — very reliable, professional, clean and tidy throughout his work. Arrived on time, very efficient. Highly recommended.
A very friendly and professional electrician! Provided quick, affordable service. Super pleased — would definitely recommend!
Can't complain about anything. I would highly recommend ATF for any electrical work.
Adam is a true professional — nothing was too much trouble to make sure my requirements for installing my new fire were met. He installed a connection from a spur and did a top job. 5 star service, would definitely recommend.
Excellent service from Adam at ATF Electrics. Excellent communication from start to finish and a quick turnaround on the job. Adam was a great guy, friendly and efficient — we would definitely recommend and use again.
Needed some electric in my shed and Adam helped me sort this out swiftly and very professionally too. Super happy with my service and he cleaned up afterwards too, so that was a plus!
Much of Cannock and Hednesford was built or extended from the seventies onwards, so the typical board here is a plastic split-load unit rather than a fuse-wire relic. They pass for modern until something trips, and then the shared protection makes itself very obvious indeed.
A free, no-obligation quote for a consumer unit upgrade in Cannock — whether it is tripping, full, or flagged on a report.
All work is completed by qualified and certified electricians, with relevant approvals and documentation provided where required.
