How do you know when you need a switchboard upgrade?

How will you know if you actually need a switchboard upgrade? There are a few warning signs that can start to show you that a switchboard upgrade should be upgraded, however, if you are unsure you should always speak to your electrician:

• The big one is safety – an old switchboard can be unsafe and, in some cases, quite dangerous
• Your fuses often trip
• If you are renovating or moving the electrical wiring
• Flickering lights
• If you are putting on solar panels and have an older switchboard
• You would like RCD safety switches installed for the safety of your family
• You want to install a new power point and have been told you don’t have enough room on your existing switchboard for the new safety switch
• The existing switchboard has had cabling that has overheated and has burnt out one or more of the fuse holders
• Your home’s wiring is quite old
• If your switchboard is aged or you still have ceramic fuses
• If you are looking at installing new appliances, then a switchboard upgrade will help protect the new appliances you have purchased

If you’re looking for peace of mind and want a licensed electrician to check your switchboard at your property in Batemans Bay, call South Coast Electrical Solutions.

One of our licensed electrician will inspect your switchboard and tell you if your homes electrical switchboard was manufactured before safety switches, (RCD’s). They will also check it for overall safety. Switchboards are an essential part of your home’s electrical system. Safety switches (RCD’s) are there to protect you and your family from electrocution.

Replacing a switchboard involves removing the old switchboard and installing a new switchboard. The Electrician will turn the power off at your property, possibly for up to a day to disconnect the old board and connect the new switchboard.  

After the new switchboard is installed, they will need to test all the power points and lights to ensure that no faults are occurring. If a fault is found, the electrician will need to trace the circuit to correct the fault.

By law, a licensed electrician has a responsibility to ensure your property is safe and meets Australian standards.

• How old is your home? If your home is getting older, or you don’t know when your switchboard was installed, it is definitely time to have it inspected by an electrician
• Appliances tripping the circuit: This could be due to an overloaded circuit or faulty appliances.
• Fuses that constant blow: a switchboard upgrade may be needed if fuses in your home are regularly blowing
• Lights that Flicker
• Power points that are hot to touch
• Noises: your power isn’t supposed to make a sound, therefore if you hear sizzling or buzzing

• Re-wireable fuses: if your switchboard does not have circuit breaks and, instead, has re-wireable fuses then you need to have it upgraded as soon as possible. It has been found that the copper fuse wires (which are found in re-wireable fuses) can be a big safety hazard
• Sparks: if you are finding that your power points spark when plugging in an appliance, this can indicate a switchboard upgrade is needed
• Shock: finally, if you are receiving a mild electric shock when you put a plug into a power point, this is a sign that you may need a switchboard upgrade

Older homes that have a switchboard with porcelain fuses can be incredibly dangerous. They carry a high risk of electric shock and fire occurrence. This can be simply due to the age of the switchboard, or because the switchboard in older homes was not designed to manage all the electrical appliances that we use in modern days. Switchboards with the porcelain fuses do not meet current Australian electrical standards and could potentially be dangerous and you will need an electrician to inspect and upgrade your switchboard.

South Coast Electrical Solutions can have an electrician inspect, repair or replace your switchboard in the following suburbs: