About this job
What is a fuse box, and when do you replace it?
The fuse box (groepenkast) is the heart of your electrical installation. It sits inside the meter cabinet (meterkast) and distributes power across the individual circuits in your home, from the kitchen to the bathroom, and protects them. The meter cabinet is the enclosure; the fuse box is the technology inside it. An old fuse box with ceramic fuses is the predecessor: we replace those with a modern consumer unit fitted with earth leakage circuit breakers (RCDs) and a main switch.
We install a new fuse box to NEN 1010, the standard for safe electrical installations in the home. That means 30 mA RCDs on your circuits, a minimum of two RCDs and a main switch that isolates everything in one go. Your installation will be safe again and ready for years to come.
Warning signs
When does your fuse box need replacing?
Not sure whether it is necessary? These signs suggest replacement is a good idea. If you recognise any of them, have your consumer unit inspected.
The circuits trip frequently
Often a sign that your installation is overloaded. Heavy appliances such as washing machines, ovens and induction hobs each need their own dedicated circuit.
No or too few RCDs
A box with only fuses, or with just one RCD for the whole house, no longer meets current safety standards.
An outdated consumer unit
A box that is 30 or more years old, fitted with ceramic fuses, typically needs replacing, often together with ageing wiring.
Ready for an EV charger or heat pump
An EV charger, heat pump, induction hob or home battery needs dedicated circuits and sometimes three-phase. This is often the ideal moment to renew the consumer unit.
Burning smell or discolouration
Can you smell burning near the box or see brown marks? That is an urgent warning sign. Call us and we will take a look straight away.
Renovation or just bought
Planning a renovation, or have you just bought an older property? A great moment to have the consumer unit inspected and replaced if needed.
How we work
How we approach it
From the first look to handover: clear, safe and hassle-free.
- 1
Survey and advice
We look at your meter cabinet and discuss what you need, now and in the future. You get honest advice on the number of circuits and single or three-phase.
- 2
Fixed price upfront
You receive a clear quote with a fixed price. You know exactly what you are getting, with no surprises afterwards.
- 3
Safe replacement
On the agreed day we isolate the installation and fit the new consumer unit. Neatly finished, circuits clearly labelled.
- 4
Testing and handover
We test the installation and check every RCD. We then hand over neatly, with a 2-year work guarantee.
Good to know
The technical side, in plain English
A few things that often come up when fitting a new fuse box. We explain them calmly.
Replacing a ceramic-fuse box with a modern consumer unit
If you still have an old fuse box with ceramic fuses, it is not just a new box you need, it is your entire protection system. When we replace a ceramic-fuse box with a modern consumer unit, we bring the installation up to current standards at the same time: RCDs, a main switch and separate protection per circuit.
You go from a box where a blown fuse meant replacing a wire, to a modern unit that switches itself off safely and can simply be reset afterwards.
RCD or combined circuit breaker?
An RCD protects several circuits at once against leakage current, but has no built-in overload protection. That function is handled by the individual circuit breakers, the modern replacements for fuses. If something trips, all circuits behind that single RCD go off.
A combined circuit breaker (RCD+MCB) combines both in one module, per circuit. If something goes wrong in the bathroom, only that circuit trips and the rest of your home stays on. They cost a little more per unit, but offer more convenience and certainty. We give honest advice on what makes sense in your situation.
Single or three-phase, and how do you tell?
Most existing homes have single-phase power, enough for normal household use. When several heavy appliances are added, such as a heat pump, induction hob, EV charger or home battery, you hit the limit. Three-phase distributes the load across three circuits and allows much more to run at the same time.
You can check yourself: if your meter shows 230 V, you have single-phase; if it shows 3x230 V or 400 V, you have three-phase. You can also see it on the main switch: two poles is single-phase, four poles is three-phase. Not sure? We will simply check when we come to survey.
Which consumer unit do we fit?
We work with enclosures and components from leading brands such as ABB, Hager and Schneider, carrying the KEMA-KEUR mark. Solid materials that last for years and that every certified electrician will recognise.
We follow the standard: a maximum of four final circuits per RCD and a minimum of two RCDs. We also leave space in the box so that you can easily expand later, for example for an EV charger or heat pump.
Price
What does fuse box replacement cost?
The price depends on your situation: the number of circuits, the number of RCDs, single or three-phase and the condition of the wiring. That is why we look first, then give you a fixed price upfront. Below is an indication by scenario.
Common extras:
- Surge protection, required for new builds and renovations
- Improving earthing or adding an earth rod
- Separate cooking circuit or perilex socket for induction
- Space reserved for an EV charger or heat pump
Price guide
Fixed price upfront| Fuse box replacement, 4 to 6 circuits | € 450 to € 700 |
| Fuse box replacement, 8 to 12 circuits | € 650 to € 950 |
| Surcharge for three-phase installation | + € 150 to € 300 |
| RCD replacement | from € 90 |
| NEN 1010 inspection | from € 195 |
Indicative prices incl. VAT. You will always receive a tailored quote.
Related services
Often done together
Not sure exactly which job you need? We are happy to help you work it out. These services often go hand in hand.
Upgrade to three-phase
Need more power for an EV charger, heat pump or induction hob? We upgrade your connection to three-phase.
More infoAdd a circuit
Just one circuit short? We often fit an extra one neatly in your existing consumer unit.
More infoInstall an EV charger
EV charger at home, installed by a professional. Including a check of whether your fuse box is up to it.
More infoHome battery
Want to store power you have generated yourself? We connect your home battery safely and neatly.
More infoReplace the meter cabinet
Replacing not just the electronics but the whole meter cabinet? We replace the enclosure and consumer unit in one go.
More infoReplace the RCD
RCD tripping or missing? We replace it separately, or include it in your new consumer unit.
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
Fuse box replacement in Noord-Brabant
Brabant is in the middle of the energy transition. More and more homes are getting solar panels, an EV charger or a heat pump, and that is exactly when an older fuse box often proves too cramped. We see it everywhere, from the 1970s estates to the farmhouses in the countryside: every home and every meter cabinet is slightly different.
We know the region and work with the grid operator Enexis. If an upgrade to three-phase is needed, we account for the waiting times that can come with it and submit the application in good time. Your installation will be ready for what is coming, without surprises.
Service area
Across Noord-Brabant
From major cities to smaller towns, active in:
Ready to have this job done professionally?
Request a free quote or call an electrician near you directly. You will always get a fixed price upfront.
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