Fuse box upgrades
An old fuse box, no RCD, or not enough circuits for how you live now. English-speaking electricians who upgrade your quadro elétrico.
Signs you need an electrician
- Old screw-in fuses or a wooden board
- No RCD (diferencial), the switch with a test button
- The power trips when two big appliances run together
- You are adding an EV charger, solar panels or air conditioning
- Breakers that are not labelled, so nobody knows what is what
What the electrician does
- Replaces the old board with a new quadro with breakers and RCD protection
- Splits overloaded circuits so the power stops tripping
- Labels every circuit in Portuguese and English if you ask
- Tests the earth and the circuits, and gives you a written termo de responsabilidade
Before the electrician comes
Take a photo of the fuse box with the cover open, and of the meter.
Find your electricity bill. It shows your contracted power (potência contratada).
List the big things you run or plan to add: oven, heat pump, air conditioning, EV charger.
What it costs
Every electrician sends a written price, with IVA, before any work starts. You can compare up to three.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new fuse box?
If there is no RCD, or the fuses are the old screw-in kind, an upgrade is worth it for safety. If the power trips often, more circuits may be enough.
Will the power be off all day?
Usually for a few hours. The electrician will tell you how long in the quote.
How much does it cost?
A new fuse box for a flat usually costs €350 to €900 before IVA, depending on the number of circuits and the state of the wiring. A large house costs more.
Describe the job once
Up to three checked electricians send a written quote. It is free for you.