How Do I Know if I Need A Switchboard Upgrade?

If you are questioning whether it’s time to upgrade your home’s or business switchboard it’s probably a good time to take action and contact the experts. Upgrading and modernising your electrical switchboard not only safeguards your loved ones, employees and property from electrical fault and potential fire but also provides peace of mind knowing this essential equipment is up to date, safe and reliable.

Importance Of Upgrading Your Switchboard

Your electrical system's core is your switchboard, it serves to distribute power and protect your property from electrical risks. As demands on your system grow, and typically this happens due to introducing new appliances, technological advances, or ageing wiring, a switchboard upgrade becomes imperative. Upgrading your switchboard ensures your electrical setup can effectively manage cope and safely accommodate these increased demands

Signs My Switchboard Needs An Upgrade

Flickering lights: flickering lights can be caused by a lightbulb that’s loose, or it can be a sign of loose wiring in a damaged or old switchboard
The age of your home: if your home is older, or you are unsure as to when your switchboard was installed, have an electrician do a thorough inspection for your peace of mind
Old wiring: if your wiring is black or grey, it is likely you are due for an upgrade however, if it’s white, it may mean an upgrade isn’t needed as yet
Short-circuiting appliances: if your appliances are constantly tripping, this can be caused by an overloaded switchboard
Rewireable fuses: if your switchboard has rewireable fuses instead of circuit breakers, it needs upgrading ASAP as they contain copper fuse wires and are quite a large safety hazard
Fuses keep blowing: if you are having regular occurrences of fuses blowing in your home, this can indicate a switchboard upgrade is needed
Overcrowded wiring: if your wiring appears overcrowded in your switchboard, get a professional out to take a look sooner rather than later
Power points: if your power points are discoloured or become hot to touch, this can mean an overloaded switchboard
Sparks: if you plug in an appliance and it sparks, this can be a sign that you are due for a switchboard upgrade
Noises: if you can hear buzzing and/or sizzling noises, get an electrician out to take a look as soon as possible
Shock: if you get a mild electric shock when plugging in appliances, a switchboard upgrade may be needed
Burning smell: this could indicate a serious electrical issue due to overheating, often related to electrical overload.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Switchboard

Enhanced safety - Older switchboards might lack essential safety features to guard against electrical dangers like overloading, short circuits, or faulty wiring. By transitioning to a modern switchboard equipped with circuit breakers and safety switches, you can greatly bolster the safety of your electrical setup, preventing the likelihood of electrical mishaps or fires.

Expanded capacity - With the progression of technology, the electrical requirements in both residential and commercial settings have increased. By upgrading your switchboard, you can expand its capacity, enabling the integration of more appliances, home automation systems, or electric vehicle charging stations. This ensures that your electrical infrastructure can manage the increased demand without encountering issues such as overheating or electrical malfunctions.

Compliance with electrical standards - Building codes and electrical regulations are constantly evolving, aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of electrical setups. Upgrading your switchboard will keep in line with the most recent standards, offering assurance and potentially avoiding penalties or complications during property inspections.

Improved energy efficiency - Modern switchboards generally incorporate energy management features like smart metering or energy monitoring systems. These tools enable you to monitor your energy usage, pinpoint potential opportunities for energy conservation, and make informed choices to decrease both your energy costs and environmental impact.

Essential Safety Components of a Switchboard

When upgrading your switchboard, three essential components significantly contribute to its safety These components are Circuit breakers, Residual Current Devices (RCD) and surge protectors. Their crucial functions are:

Circuit breakers serve as the main switch controlling the electricity flow into the switchboard from the main power supply. It can be manually operated to turn the power on or off. Circuit breakers are designed to safeguard electrical circuits against overloading and short circuits. Therefore upgrading circuit breakers guarantees that your electrical system can manage the heightened electrical load and offers improved protection against electrical faults.

RCDs (Residual Current Devices) continuously monitor the electrical current flowing through the live and neutral wires of a circuit. In a properly functioning circuit, the current flowing through the live wire should be equal to the current flowing through the neutral wire. A difference in current flow generally indicates a leakage of current, possibly due to an earth fault. RCDs may be installed or upgraded to ensure compliance with safety regulations and enhance protection against electric shocks.

Surge protectors safeguard electrical equipment from voltage spikes or surges triggered by lightning, power grid fluctuations, or electrical faults, surge protectors come into play. They redirect excessive voltage to the ground, protecting delicate devices from damage. As part of a switchboard upgrade, integrating surge protectors into the system can safeguard valuable appliances, electronics, and other equipment from potentially damaging power surges. While surge protectors offer a valuable defence against voltage spikes, they do have limitations. They cannot shield against all forms of electrical disturbances, such as sustained overvoltage or lightning strikes directly hitting electrical wiring or devices. Additionally, surge protectors possess a finite lifespan and may require an assessment to determine if a replacement is needed to sustain their effectiveness.

Professional Switchboard Electrician Melbourne

Protect your home or business by upgrading your switchboard today. Get in touch with our skilled 1st Call Electricians for advice or to book an appointment on 1300 016 671 or fill out our online inquiry form now.