About this service
A commercial distribution-board upgrade replaces or alters the equipment dividing an incoming supply into final circuits. Reasons include obsolete devices, heat damage, insufficient capacity, poor labelling, new loads or the need for improved protective arrangements.
Unlike a simple enclosure swap, the project needs circuit identification, fault-level assessment, cable and earthing checks, outage planning and testing of every reconnected circuit.
Common problems we help with
Obsolete breakers are unavailable
Faulty or additional devices cannot be sourced as a supported compatible product.
Board is crowded or altered poorly
Mixed devices, exposed openings and unclear conductors increase maintenance risk.
Heat damage is visible
Loose connections, overload or equipment failure can damage terminals and busbars.
No capacity for a fit-out or new plant
Additional ways, higher load or different protection require redesigned distribution.
How we carry out the work
Survey circuits and fault conditions
We identify outgoing loads, cables, protection, fault level, earthing and board location.
Plan the replacement and outage
Temporary supplies, critical loads, device selection and cable modifications are agreed.
Change over, test and label
Circuits are transferred methodically, verified and recorded on a new schedule.
What is normally included?
- Initial discussion about the property, symptoms, priorities and timescale
- Assessment of the relevant circuit, equipment, access and existing protection
- A written scope for the proposed distribution board upgrades work
- The agreed installation or repair work, with disruption kept to a reasonable minimum
- Inspection, electrical testing and appropriate handover documentation
Before the work starts
- Condition of existing circuits before new protective equipment is fitted
- Available space, circuit identification and future capacity
- Earthing, bonding and supply characteristics
- How essential equipment will be managed during isolation and testing
What affects the price?
The price depends on the existing installation and the amount of work required. For distribution board upgrades, the main factors normally include:
- Circuit quantity and board configuration
- Defects revealed by pre-work or completion testing
- Meter tails, earthing and bonding alterations
- Labelling, containment and any necessary relocation
Testing, certificates and handover
Once the installation work is complete, we inspect and test it and provide the records that apply to the job.
- Updated circuit schedule and protective-device labels
- Test results and applicable installation certificate
- Guidance on testing residual-current devices
- Explanation of any separately identified future recommendations
Distribution Board Upgrades questions
Can the board be changed overnight?
Sometimes, if pre-testing, access and the scope support it. Complex defects or cable alterations may require a longer outage.
Will all circuits receive testing?
Every circuit reconnected to the new board needs appropriate verification.
Can spare capacity be included?
Yes. Future ways, load and physical space should be considered during design.
Booking the work
What happens after you contact us
1. Discuss the job
Tell us about the property, the symptoms or the result you want. Photographs and model numbers are often helpful.
2. Inspect and quote
We check the relevant installation and give you a written quotation showing what is included.
3. Complete and test
We carry out the agreed work, verify it electrically and explain any controls, labels or certificates at handover.