Bathroom and kitchen renovation - would I have to get my fuse box updated?

There will be some works needed to comply with regulations for your kitchen/bathroom unless you totally work around your existing electrical system. Some people do go down this route but in reality its honestly a lot easier in the long run to upgrade your consumer unit at this stage and then every job you have done requiring electrical works will be a lot easier as your system will already comply with regs. You should probably consider an EICR (electrical installation condition report) which will let you know if there is any work required to bring your existing circuits up to scratch prior to fitting a 17th edition consumer unit. It should go without saying please use a registered electrician the work is required to be registered with your LABC (local authority borough council). You can check their registration on the Registered Competent Person Electrical mark and website. http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/ This site is due to go live on the 30/06/2014 and all registered electricians from all registered organisations should be on this site (a one stop shop for the consumer to check their electrician is registered)

Yes, any alterations to wiring in the bathroom or kitchen must now be RCD protected. You would need a Dual RCD consumer unit in order to comply with BS7671:2008. Having RCD's means that the installation is much safer and greatly reduces the risk of getting an electric shock if a fault were to occur.

1) You can have small fuse board installed to cover the Bathroom and Kitchen work if you have expert electrician and friendly spark. 2) If your fuse board cupboard have limited space than it can lead to remove old and merge in to one new ! 3) RCD and RCBO is mother of protection against Electrical Shock! Changing fuse board some time lead to more work as the related circuits and its connected socket, switches and appliances have to be up to the current standard! 4) As per Electrical safety council for all various registered electrician and public its clearly said old fuse board can still be in service but related wiring may not comply to current regulation and therefore friendly visual check from your local area advisable or you can hire us for expert view :) Don't forget to post your job on My Builder All the best Vin

You would certainly need the circuits that are to be altered be rcd protected.It would be advisable to change the consumer unit as the whole house will then be rcd protected and would meet the current regulations.

Hi chrismiller_78, the answer to your question is yes, you would have to upgrade you consumer unit. Everything needs to be protected by an rcd, especially in a bathroom, or anything you can plug in, ie: socket outlets. Generally when you upgrade your consumer unit you should upgrade your bonding conductors, ie: water and gas bond. Hope this has helped. Nick

If you're doing electrical work in these areas you would have to update your fuse board and possibly your main earth bonding to gas and water main and work is notifiable to building control. Only if moving or adding outlets in these locations