At SLE Electrical, we were recently called out to a well-known local restaurant after they experienced a sudden electrical issue just before opening on a busy Sunday. Situations like this highlight how important a reliable electrical system is for businesses that depend on power to operate.
Emergency Call-Out Before Opening
The restaurant contacted us urgently after discovering that half of their electrical installation had lost power, affecting key circuits including kitchen appliances and lighting. As you can imagine, this was a serious problem for a restaurant preparing to open for service.
After quickly attending the site, we identified the issue as a fault on one circuit that had affected an entire section of the consumer unit.
The existing setup was a large double-stacked split-load consumer unit, protected by two RCDs. While this type of board was common when originally installed and would likely still pass an electrical inspection, it has a major limitation:
When a fault occurs on just one circuit, an entire bank of circuits protected by the same RCD can trip, cutting power to a large part of the building.
In this case, one fault meant half of the restaurant lost power, which is far from ideal for a busy commercial environment.
Immediate Fix to Get the Business Running
Our first priority on the Sunday was to restore power safely and quickly so the restaurant could open for business.
We located and repaired the fault and ensured the installation was safe, allowing the restaurant to continue operating without disruption.
However, after discussing the setup with the owner, it became clear that the existing consumer unit design wasn’t ideal for a commercial property where reliability is critical.
Returning to Upgrade the Consumer Unit
Later in the week, we returned to carry out a full upgrade of the consumer unit.
The original split-load board with two RCDs was replaced with a modern RCBO-based consumer unit, where each individual circuit has its own protection.
This type of installation offers several major advantages:
No more large sections of the building losing power from a single fault Reduced nuisance tripping Improved fault detection Greater reliability for commercial environments Compliance with modern electrical standards
Now, if a fault occurs on a single circuit, only that circuit will disconnect, meaning the rest of the restaurant can continue operating normally.
Just Because a Consumer Unit Looks OK Doesn’t Mean It Is
One of the key lessons from this job is something we see quite often.
Many consumer units may appear tidy and even pass an inspection, but that doesn’t always mean they are fit for the way a property is used today.
For businesses especially, electrical reliability is essential. An older board design can create unnecessary downtime, disruption, and stress if a fault causes large parts of the installation to shut down.
Upgrading to a modern RCBO consumer unit with surge protection can significantly improve both safety and reliability.
Electrical Services for Homes and Businesses Across East Sussex
At SLE Electrical in Hailsham, we carry out a wide range of electrical services including:
Consumer unit upgrades Emergency electrical call-outs Electrical fault finding Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) Commercial electrical work Lighting upgrades and installations Full electrical testing and certification
We regularly work across Hailsham, Eastbourne, Polegate, Heathfield, Lewes, Seaford, Crowborough, Uckfield, Pevensey and surrounding East Sussex areas.
If you’re unsure whether your consumer unit is up to modern standards, we’re always happy to inspect your installation and provide honest advice.
Contact SLE Electrical
If you need an experienced and reliable electrician in Hailsham or the surrounding areas, get in touch.
SLE Electrical
Phone: 07429379495
Email: Sle.electrical@yahoo.co.uk
Website: http://www.sleelectrical.com
Whether it’s an emergency fault, consumer unit upgrade, or electrical testing, SLE Electrical is here to help keep your home or business powered safely.
