Fixington

Replace Circuit Breakers

Trade: Electrician

⭐ Introduction

Circuit breakers are safety devices within your home’s consumer unit (fuse box) that protect your wiring from damage caused by electrical faults, like overloads or short circuits. Replacing circuit breakers may be necessary if they become faulty, outdated, or you want to upgrade your consumer unit to meet current electrical safety standards.

Common reasons to replace circuit breakers include tripping issues, wear and tear over time, or to ensure compliance with UK electrical regulations such as BS 7671 wiring standards. Keeping your circuit breakers in good working order helps prevent electrical hazards and keeps your home safe.

🔧 What the job involves

Replacing circuit breakers means removing the faulty or old breakers from your consumer unit and installing new ones. The electrician will first isolate the main power supply to your home to work safely.

The job usually involves:

  • Checking the consumer unit condition, including the enclosure and wiring.
  • Removing the old circuit breakers carefully.
  • Fitting new circuit breakers compatible with your consumer unit’s brand and specification.
  • Testing the new breakers to ensure they operate correctly, including fault detection and trip tests.
  • Making sure the whole system complies with current electrical safety standards.

If you have an older consumer unit, or your breakers are no longer manufactured, the electrician may recommend a full replacement to improve safety and provide modern protection features such as RCD (Residual Current Device) or RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent).

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

  1. Initial enquiry: Contact a registered electrician or electrical contractor with details about your consumer unit and breakers.
  2. Survey and quote: The electrician visits your home to inspect the consumer unit, verify the existing set-up, and provide a detailed quote including parts, labour, and any potential extras.
  3. Booking a date: Agree on a convenient date and time for the work, ensuring you’ll have electricity turned off for the duration.
  4. Preparation: On the day, the electrician switches off the main power at the supply point and ensures all safety precautions are in place.
  5. Work carried out: Old breakers are removed and replaced with new ones. The system is tested thoroughly for safety and proper function.
  6. Wrap-up and certification: The electrician reinstates power, cleans up their work area, and provides certification or an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) if required.
  7. Follow-up: Keep documentation safe as proof of the work and for future reference.

💷 Main costs to expect

  • Labour: Electricians typically charge between £40 and £65 per hour. Replacing circuit breakers usually takes 1–3 hours depending on complexity.
  • Materials/parts: Circuit breakers cost around £15 to £50 each, depending on type and rating.
  • Extras: Full consumer unit replacement, if necessary, can cost several hundred pounds more.
  • Disposal: Some electricians include waste removal in their fees; confirm beforehand.
  • Certification: Testing and certification (EICR or Minor Works Certificate) can add around £50–£100.

Example for a simple breaker replacement:

  • Labour (2 hours at £50/hr): £100
  • Circuit breaker x 1: £30
  • Certification: £60
  • Total: £190 approximately (excluding VAT)

📊 What affects the price

  • Accessibility: Difficult access to the consumer unit (e.g., loft, cupboard) can increase labour time.
  • Complexity: Multiple breakers or complicated wiring may take longer.
  • Regulations: Upgrading to meet current BS 7671 standards or adding RCD/RCBO protection may mean extra parts and work.
  • Remedial works: If the electrician finds wiring faults or damage, further repairs will increase costs.
  • Location: Tradespeople in London and the South East often charge more than other regions.
  • Timeline: Urgent or out-of-hours work typically costs more.

⏱ How long does it take?

  • Simple breaker replacement: 1 to 2 hours
  • Multiple breaker replacements: 2 to 4 hours
  • Consumer unit upgrade/replacement: 4 to 8 hours or more (may require multiple visits)

Longer times are common when access is difficult or additional electrical work is needed.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

Replacing circuit breakers involves working inside the consumer unit, handling live mains electricity, and complying with UK electrical safety regulations.

UK law requires work on fixed electrical installations to be safe and carried out by a competent person. Part P of the Building Regulations applies to electrical alterations and may require notification to your local authority or certification via a Competent Person Scheme.

Due to the risks of electric shock, fire, or non-compliance, DIY circuit breaker replacement is strongly discouraged unless you are a qualified electrician.

Always hire a Gas Safe registered or NICEIC certified electrician to ensure work is done safely and legally.

💰 Typical UK price range

  • Replacing a single circuit breaker: £150 to £250 (including labour and parts)
  • Multiple breakers or partial consumer unit upgrade: £300 to £600+
  • Full consumer unit replacement: £600 to £1,200+

All prices are approximate and may vary. Most electricians will add VAT at the current rate (typically 20%). Always request a written quote.

✅ Handy tips before you start

  • Locate your consumer unit: Know where your fuse box is and make sure it is accessible.
  • Clear the area: Remove stored items or obstructions to give the electrician safe working space.
  • Switch off appliances: Turn off sensitive electrical devices or unplug them before the power is turned off.
  • Ask for certification: Always request an Electrical Installation Certificate or EICR after the job.
  • Keep paperwork: Store all documents safely; this is useful for insurance and home sales.
  • Regular servicing: Consider having your consumer unit inspected every 10 years or if you move into a new home.
  • Understand your consumer unit: Familiarise yourself with basic operation, including how to reset breakers safely.

By preparing well and using a qualified professional, replacing circuit breakers can be a straightforward and confidence-building part of maintaining your home’s electrical safety.