Understanding BS 7671 (18th Edition) Consumer Units & EICR Codes
Whether you are buying an older British property, preparing a rental home for a 5-year statutory inspection, or adding high-load appliances like an induction hob, heat pump, or EV charger, your home’s consumer unit (fuseboard) is the heart of electrical safety. Under current BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations), plastic fuseboards have been superseded by non-combustible metal-clad enclosures fitted with individual Type A RCBOs (Residual Current Breakers with Overcurrent) and mandatory Surge Protection Devices (SPDs).
When a registered electrician performs an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), any observations are graded using four official classification codes:
- C1 (Danger Present): Immediate risk of electric shock or fire (e.g., exposed live conductors). Must be made safe before the electrician leaves site.
- C2 (Potentially Dangerous): Urgent remedial action required (e.g., absence of RCD protection on socket circuits or missing main protective bonding to gas/water pipes). Causes an automatic Unsatisfactory EICR result.
- FI (Further Investigation Required): Hidden fault or unexplained low insulation resistance reading that must be traced immediately. Also triggers an Unsatisfactory report.
- C3 (Improvement Recommended): Does not meet the latest edition of BS 7671 (such as an older plastic enclosure in good condition), but is not immediately unsafe—still passes as Satisfactory.
18th Edition Metal RCBO Consumer Unit & Surge Protection Installation
2026 UK Electrician Rates, EICR & Rewire Cost Guide
Verified Market Rates| Job / Service Scope | Typical UK Cost Range | Est. Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic EICR Safety Certificate (1–3 Bed Flat or House) | £150 – £260 | 2 – 4 Hours | |
| 18th Edition Metal Consumer Unit Upgrade (Full RCBO + SPD + EIC) | £620 – £980 | 1 Day | |
| Main Equipotential Earth Bonding Upgrade (Gas & Water Stopcock) | £160 – £290 | 2 – 3 Hours | |
| Full House Rewire: 2-Bed Terrace / Flat (First & Second Fix) | £3,400 – £4,800 | 4 – 6 Days | |
| Full House Rewire: 3-Bed Semi-Detached (Inc. Consumer Unit & Cert) | £4,500 – £6,500 | 5 – 8 Days | |
| Full House Rewire: 4-Bed Detached House (Inc. Data/LED Downlights) | £6,500 – £9,500 | 7 – 12 Days |
All notifiable work under Part P Building Regulations includes an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and Local Authority Building Control compliance certificate.
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Video Walkthrough: 18th Edition RCBO Consumer Unit & EICR Testing in the UK
Don't Get the Wrong One! RCD vs RCBO Fuse Board Explained — Featured via Sparks Will Fly Electrical
UK Electrical Safety & Part P FAQs
What electrical work is notifiable under Part P Building Regulations?
In England and Wales, replacing a consumer unit, installing a completely new circuit (such as an EV charger, electric shower, or garden office supply), or carrying out electrical work inside bathroom zones is legally notifiable under Part P.
How often do UK landlords and homeowners need an EICR?
Private landlords in the UK are legally required to have a valid EICR carried out at least every 5 years by a qualified electrician. For owner-occupied homes, an EICR is recommended every 10 years or whenever buying a property.
Why choose an all-RCBO consumer unit over a dual-RCD board?
On a dual-RCD board, a single faulty toaster or outdoor light trips half the house. With an all-RCBO board, each circuit has its own dedicated residual current and overload trip, isolating faults to a single circuit and meeting the latest BS 7671 selectivity rules.
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