Distribution Board Installation
Get in touchAt Industrial Electrical Services, we provide fully certified distribution board installations for commercial and industrial sites, including factories, warehouses, schools, and large-scale facilities.
Since a distribution board (DB) is responsible for safely dividing and controlling electrical power across your premises, it must be professionally installed and properly rated to meet your system’s capacity, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.
Whether you're upgrading an outdated board, expanding your supply, or fitting out a new unit, our team delivers tailored electrical panel solutions with complete testing and certification.
Request a free, no-obligation quote for professional distribution board installations.
How Much Does a Distribution Board Installation Cost?
The cost of distribution board installation typically ranges from £750 to £3,500.
The cost depends on the number of outgoing circuits, board size, enclosure type, and complexity of wiring.
For 3-phase commercial or industrial systems, costs may increase to £5,000 or more, particularly when metering, surge protection devices (SPDs), or split supplies are required.
We offer a fixed-price quote after assessing your electrical load, future expansion needs, and site access. All quotes include equipment, labour, testing, certification, and labelling.
What Is a Distribution Board?
A distribution board, also known as a fuse board, electrical panel, or consumer unit, is the central point in an electrical system where incoming power is split into multiple circuits.
Since it houses key protection devices such as MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers), RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overload), or RCDs (Residual Current Devices), it safeguards downstream circuits from overloads, short circuits, and earth faults.
In commercial and industrial settings, 3-phase DBs are used to manage larger loads, accommodate motor supplies, and isolate specific areas or equipment.
What Types of Distribution Boards Do You Install?
We install a wide range of distribution boards to suit single-phase and 3-phase systems across various sectors.
This includes surface or flush-mounted enclosures, TPN (Three Phase and Neutral) boards for industrial machinery, split-load consumer units for commercial buildings, sub-distribution boards for remote areas or mezzanine floors, and intelligent DBs with integrated metering and remote monitoring.
We select the appropriate type based on your site's usage, load profile, and regulatory requirements.
What Are the Benefits of a Modern Distribution Board?
A new or upgraded distribution board improves safety, efficiency, and future readiness of your electrical system.
Key benefits include:
Enhanced protection with RCBOs or AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices)
Clearer circuit separation for lighting, power, and machinery
More space for future circuits or additional equipment
Compliance with BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations)
Neater layout with proper labelling for easy fault diagnosis
Integration of surge protection, timers, or monitoring devices
When Should a Distribution Board Be Replaced?
A distribution board should be replaced if it no longer meets current safety standards, cannot support new loads, or shows signs of deterioration.
Since older DBs may lack RCD protection or sufficient circuit capacity, they pose safety and operational risks—especially when expanding machinery or adding new systems.
Boards with frequent tripping, overheating, corrosion, or poor labelling often indicate the need for replacement.
We carry out condition assessments and advise whether remedial work, partial upgrades, or full replacement is required.
Do You Handle Commercial and Industrial DB Installations?
We specialise in commercial and industrial distribution board installations, including custom enclosures for heavy-duty environments.
Since industrial premises often require higher current ratings, multiple boards, or metering integration, we design systems tailored to your operation.
We also install main LV panels, sub-main cables, isolators, and associated containment to ensure full compliance and safe segregation of supplies.
We work with property managers, engineers, and contractors to ensure seamless integration with your wider electrical infrastructure.
Do You Test and Certify the Installation?
Every distribution board installation includes full electrical testing and certification.
We carry out dead and live testing of each circuit, verify RCD trip times, check earth continuity, and test insulation resistance.
You will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), circuit schedules, and a compliance declaration in line with BS 7671.
Our documentation is essential for insurance, HSE inspections, and future maintenance.
Can You Install Surge Protection Devices?
We install surge protection devices (SPDs) as part of new or upgraded DB installations, especially in commercial and industrial premises.
Since surges caused by switching events or nearby lightning strikes can damage sensitive electronics, BS 7671 now recommends SPDs for most non-domestic buildings.
We assess the risk level and select suitable SPD modules based on your building category, distribution board type, and proximity to transient sources.
Do You Offer Emergency DB Replacement?
We provide emergency distribution board replacement for clients experiencing sudden failures, overheating, or unsafe conditions.
Since a failed DB can leave entire areas without power or compromise fire safety systems, we prioritise fast attendance, temporary restoration, and full replacement within agreed timeframes.
Where needed, we provide temporary boards to restore supply while sourcing replacement components.
Can You Install Sub-Distribution Boards for Large Buildings?
We install sub-distribution boards for buildings or sites with multiple zones, floors, or departments.
Since distributing power from a central board over long distances can reduce efficiency and complicate fault management, sub-boards allow localised control, load balancing, and easier isolation for maintenance or upgrades.
These are commonly installed in larger industrial units, schools, commercial offices, and mixed-use buildings.
We assess load demand, recommend suitable circuit configurations, and ensure cable sizing, protection devices, and enclosure IP ratings meet the environment’s needs.
How Long Does a Distribution Board Installation Take?
Most distribution board installations can be completed within 4 to 10 hours, depending on the size of the board, number of circuits, and whether it's a replacement or a first-time install.
For complex industrial panels or 3-phase systems with sub-mains, installation may take 1 to 2 days, especially where containment, metering, or custom wiring is required.
Since safety is our priority, we carry out thorough dead/live testing, circuit labelling, and commissioning before energising the board.
If a temporary shutdown is required, we coordinate with your facilities or production team to minimise disruption.
Can You Upgrade a Domestic-Grade Board to Commercial Standard?
We frequently upgrade domestic or outdated distribution boards to commercial or industrial-grade panels .
Since older boards may lack the circuit capacity, fire-resistant enclosures, or RCBO/RCD protection required for commercial use, we replace them with compliant units rated for current demands and legal standards.
This is particularly important when properties change use, from residential to commercial, or when a small office or shop expands.
We ensure every upgrade meets the requirements of BS 7671 and is issued with full certification.
What Is the Difference Between an MCB, RCBO and RCD?
Each of these protection devices serves a specific purpose within a distribution board.
An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) protects circuits from overloads and short circuits. An RCD (Residual Current Device) protects against earth leakage faults that can lead to electric shock. An RCBO combines both functions in one device.
RCBOs are now widely recommended for new installations, as they provide individual circuit protection—meaning one fault doesn’t trip multiple systems.
We design boards using the most appropriate combination of protective devices, based on usage, fault risk, and load characteristics.
Do You Offer Load Testing or Power Analysis?
We provide load testing and power analysis to assess your electrical demand before or after a distribution board installation.
Since industrial and commercial buildings often have variable load patterns due to machinery, HVAC systems, and IT infrastructure, monitoring helps prevent overloading, circuit failure, or costly inefficiencies.
We use calibrated power analysers and clamp meters to track real-time usage, phase balancing, and harmonic distortion.
The data helps inform proper circuit design, energy-saving measures, or the need for board segmentation or upgrade.
Why Choose Us for Distribution Board Installation?
You should choose Industrial Electrical Services because we provide compliant, well-engineered distribution board installations backed by NICEIC certification and decades of experience.
We assess your existing supply, future requirements, and compliance obligations to deliver DBs that are both practical and regulation-ready.
Whether you're installing for a new unit, expanding your plant, or replacing an obsolete system, we ensure everything is completed with care, clarity, and operational reliability.
Book Distribution Board Installation
At Industrial Electrical Services, we provide reliable, tested, and fully certified distribution board installations for industrial, commercial, and public-sector clients.
Get in touch today for a free site survey and quotation, and make your electrical infrastructure safer, smarter, and future-ready.
Other Services We Offer
At Industrial Electrical Services, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Structured Cabling
Emergency Electrician
Industrial Electrical Maintenance Services