DNA Power Solutions were recommended by a friend who had recently had an EV charger fitted by them.
It’s often recommended to have a fuseboard upgrade if planning a solar panel installation.
A fuseboard upgrade will be essential if the existing one is outdated and lacking safety features, it will struggle to safely support additional load from solar energy. If the existing fuseboard lacks spare ways or physically empty slots, installers won’t be able to add features like MCBs, required to support the solar inverter feed. A standard fuseboard upgrade costs between £600- £950 but costs depend on the size of property and how many circuits are at your home. DNA Power Solutions are specialists in solar panel installation so one of our pre-requisites is to inspect the existing fuse board. This is to make sure the fuseboard can physically manage the additional capacity while providing enhanced protection against electric shocks and fires. Ready for new solar panels?
Let's check your fuseboard first!
How will a new fuseboard upgrade better support solar panel installation?
Upgrading the fuseboard or consumer unit will ensure compliance with regulations, making sure additional load capacity is well managed, removing the risks of older fuseboards overheating.
A new fuse board upgrade will provide physical slots or “ways” to connect the solar inverter to the properties fuseboard. DNA Power Solutions were excited to work on a 22 year old 4 bedroom detached home on Grant Drive. While our services were called upon for solar panel installation, we found the original fuseboard has no spare ways for an additional circuit. As this was a capacity issue and could lead to dangerous hazards, our expert advice was to consider a fuseboard upgrade. Especially because the homeowners mentioned an interest in future renewable installations at their home in Corby.
How will a new fuseboard provide better safety?
Modern fuseboards include a range of safety features such as RCBO or Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection which combine the role of MCBs and RCDs. RCBO’s protect individual circuits from short circuits or earthing leaks, preventing electrical shocks and fires if a live wire touches an earth wire, also limiting wires from getting overheated. SPDs or Surge Protection Devices are also included in modern fuseboards, acting quickly to protect electrical appliances and devices like solar inverters from power surges from the grid.
During our initial consultation with the homeowners on Grant Drive, they were surprised to find the number of safety features included in modern fuseboards. Especially when we pointed out that RCBOs provide individual circuit protection, preventing a fault tripping the entire property.
Why work with DNA Power Solutions in Corby?
We’re a local team who are truly passionate about renewable energy generation in homes. This includes installing the right infrastructure so your home is protected and to support solar energy generation.
The team are NAPIT approved so all electrical work such as fuseboard upgrades and connectivity to solar panels is inline with Building Regulations.
If you’re still thinking “will I need a fuseboard upgrade to have solar panels installed?” at your Corby home, call David at DNA Power Solutions on 01536 505 720.