About this job
What does adding an extra circuit to the fuse box involve?
A circuit is a separately protected power ring in your fuse box. Adding a circuit means: clicking a new circuit breaker (the modern replacement for a fuse, usually 16 A) into a free slot on the DIN rail, feeding it from an RCD, and connecting a new cable to the location or appliance where you need power. That way that part of your home stands on its own and does not share an overloaded circuit.
Adding a circuit is only possible if there is genuinely space available: a free slot on the rail, sufficient capacity behind an RCD and a main supply that can handle it. If so, it is a small, straightforward job within your existing fuse box. If the fuse box is full or outdated, replacing the fuse box or upgrading the supply is the better step. We will tell you honestly which applies in your situation. Work on the meter cabinet must be done de-energised and by a qualified installer, so it is not a DIY job.
Warning signs
When do you need an extra circuit?
Do any of these situations sound familiar? If so, an extra circuit is often exactly what you need. We check beforehand whether adding one is the right answer.
A circuit keeps tripping
Too many appliances on one circuit, for example a washing machine and dryer together? That overloads the circuit. A dedicated circuit fixes that.
A heavy appliance needs its own supply
Dishwasher, oven, washing machine, air conditioning or a heat-pump boiler. Fixed appliances drawing around 2,000 watts or more should have their own dedicated circuit.
Renovation or extension
Extra sockets or lighting in an extension, loft or garage usually require a new circuit so the existing one is not overloaded.
Induction hob, EV charger or heat pump
These loads typically get their own dedicated circuit. Sometimes adding one is enough; sometimes three-phase or an upgrade is needed. We check first.
How we work
How we approach it
From checking the fuse box to a tested circuit: clear, safe and hassle-free.
- 1
Check whether it is possible
We look at whether your fuse box has a free slot, whether there is capacity behind an RCD and whether your main supply can handle it. If not, we tell you honestly.
- 2
Fixed price upfront
You receive a clear quote with a fixed price. You know exactly what you are getting, including any cable runs. No surprises afterwards.
- 3
Safe addition
We de-energise the fuse box, verify that with a voltage tester and click the new circuit onto the rail. Cabling neatly routed and labelled.
- 4
Testing and handover
We close the fuse box, switch back on and test the new circuit and its RCD protection. We then hand over neatly, with a 2-year work guarantee.
Good to know
Add a circuit, replace it, or upgrade?
The big question is almost always: can a circuit be added, or does more need to happen? We explain the trade-off calmly.
When adding a circuit is enough
An extra circuit can be added if your fuse box has room for it. That means three things: there is a free slot on the DIN rail, there is still capacity behind an RCD, and your main supply (often 1x25 A) is not being structurally overloaded. If all three are in order, we fit a standard single-phase circuit in your existing fuse box. No grid operator involvement needed, so it can usually be done quickly.
If the RCD is full but there is still space on the rail, we solve that with an RCD circuit breaker: a module that combines overload protection and RCD protection in one unit, per circuit. That way the new circuit gets its own RCD protection without the whole fuse box needing to be replaced.
When you need to go beyond adding a circuit
Sometimes adding a circuit is not the right solution. If the fuse box is physically full, with no free slots and saturated RCDs, a new fuse box is the logical next step. The same applies when the fuse box is outdated and has insufficient RCD protection: replacement is then safer, and often more cost-effective than continuing to expand.
If you want to connect heavier or three-phase loads, such as a three-phase EV charger, a heat pump or certain induction hobs, and your supply is too light for that, you need to upgrade through the grid operator. We check at the survey which direction is right for you, and will refer you clearly to fuse box replacement or upgrade to three-phase if that is the better fit.
How many circuits behind one RCD?
In domestic practice, installers typically keep to a maximum of four circuits per 30 mA RCD. That is a sensible rule of thumb: each circuit has a small natural leakage current, and too many circuits behind one RCD make it prone to tripping unnecessarily. It also means that when there is a fault, half your home does not go dark at once.
Since NEN 1010:2020 that hard maximum of four has been relaxed. The design mainly needs to work in terms of the sum of leakage currents and selectivity. In practice the four-circuit rule remains a common, safe guideline. An installer always assesses this case by case, so if there is no more room behind your RCD we will add an RCD circuit breaker or an additional RCD.
Which appliances need their own circuit?
Fixed appliances with a high connected load should have their own dedicated circuit according to NEN guidelines. The threshold is around 3,680 watts per single-phase circuit (16 A at 230 V). For reference:
| Appliance | Own circuit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | Yes | Own circuit, separate from the dryer |
| Dryer | Yes | Peaks significantly, should not share with the washing machine |
| Dishwasher | Yes | Fixed appliance with a high connected load |
| Induction hob / cooking circuit | Yes | Often a linked 2x16 A cooking circuit, sometimes three-phase |
| EV charger | Yes | Always a dedicated circuit, sometimes three-phase or an upgrade |
| Heat pump | Yes | Often three-phase, check the supply |
Guideline, not a hard requirement for every model. We determine on the basis of the load what needs its own circuit.
Price
What does adding an extra circuit cost?
The price depends on your situation: whether new cabling is needed, single-phase or three-phase, and whether there is RCD capacity to spare. Roughly 70% is labour and 25% is materials. We look first, then give you a fixed price upfront. Below is an indication.
Common extras:
- Additional RCD circuit breaker if the RCD is full
- Adding an additional RCD
- Perilex or power socket for induction or a cooker
- Referral to fuse box replacement if the fuse box is full
Price guide
Fixed price upfront| Extra single-phase circuit in an existing modern fuse box | € 150 to € 300 |
| Extra circuit including new cable run through the home | € 300 to € 450 |
| Cooking circuit for induction (2x16 A) | € 400 to € 600 |
| Three-phase circuit or EV charger circuit | € 350 to € 600 |
Indicative prices incl. VAT. You will always receive a tailored quote.
Related services
Often done together
Not sure whether adding a circuit is enough? We are happy to help you think it through. These services often go hand in hand.
Replace the fuse box
Is the fuse box full or outdated? A new fuse box is often safer than continuing to expand.
More infoUpgrade to three-phase
Is your supply too light, or do you want to connect three-phase loads? We upgrade your supply.
More infoInstall an EV charger
An EV charger always gets its own circuit, and sometimes needs an upgrade. We connect it professionally.
More infoHome battery
Want to store your own generated power? We connect your home battery safely and neatly.
More infoWhy Brabant Elektra
Certified, insured and guaranteed
All our engineers are qualified and work to the NEN 1010 standard. We give a 2-year guarantee on all our work. Reliable work you can count on.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
Service area
Add a circuit in Noord-Brabant
Brabant is in the middle of the energy transition. More and more homes are switching to induction cooking, getting an EV charger or a heat pump, and that is exactly when one circuit often turns out to be too few. For a single single-phase circuit within your existing fuse box you do not need the grid operator: we handle it, usually at short notice. We cover the whole region, from Eindhoven to Breda and the surrounding villages.
If your usage really increases and the supply needs to grow with it, that does go via grid operator Enexis. In busy network areas there can be a waiting time for that, and that is outside our control. We are straightforward about it and submit the application in good time, so you are ready when you need it.
Service area
Across Noord-Brabant
From major cities to smaller towns, active in:
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