What does a consumer unit do?
A consumer unit distributes electricity to the circuits in a property and contains protective devices designed to disconnect supply during faults or overloads. Modern units may include circuit breakers, RCDs, RCBOs, surge protection and other safety devices.
Older installations may have rewireable fuses, limited RCD protection or signs of past alteration. That does not automatically mean danger is present, but it does need proper assessment.
Common consumer unit concerns
Warning signs include missing covers, exposed live parts, scorch marks, heat damage, broken blanks, poor labelling, loose cables, water entry, repeated tripping or signs of DIY alteration.
Plastic consumer units are common in older installations. Their presence alone does not automatically make an EICR unsatisfactory, but the inspector should assess condition, location, fire risk, damage and compliance context.
Why RCD protection matters
RCDs and RCBOs provide additional protection by disconnecting supply when certain earth leakage faults occur. Lack of RCD protection can be an important observation depending on the circuits involved and the installation context.
If you are unsure about your consumer unit, arrange a competent inspection rather than opening it yourself.