Switchboard Upgrades – Keep Your Home Safe From Electric Shocks
A switchboard upgrades South Australia is crucial in keeping you and your family safe from electrical shocks. Older switches can’t cope with the demands of modern appliances and will often lead to blown fuses.
Porcelain fuses are prone to overheating and can cause electrical fires, damaging your home’s wiring. This is why it’s so important to get a switchboard upgrade done by a professional.
Safety Switches
A typical home or business has a constant flow of electricity through the switchboard. It controls everything from the microwave to the air conditioning, so keeping it safe and up to date is essential. This is why safety switches (RCDs) are mandatory in all homes. The primary purpose of a safety switch is to ensure that the electrical circuits in your property are not overloaded and that there is no risk of electric shock.
It is also a critical feature in the prevention of electrical fires. A recent survey by Master Electricians found that the most common causes of residential and commercial electrical fires are due to old or unsafe switchboards. In many cases, a proper and timely switchboard upgrade could have prevented these fires.
If you have an older fuse board in your Busselton home, it is time to upgrade it. Fuse boards are no longer compliant with current electrical safety standards, and they can be challenging to maintain and even more dangerous for your family. If unsure, speak to a licensed electrician who can inspect your switchboard and provide advice.
Plenty of signs indicate your switchboard needs to be replaced, and one of the most common is if the safety switch keeps tripping. If your safety switch is constantly tripping, this is an indicator that there is a serious problem somewhere in your circuit, and it is essential to get it fixed as soon as possible.
While modern appliances are made to high safety standards, accidents can still happen. Having a functional safety switch can save you from significant electrical damage and injury and help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
If your safety switch or circuit breaker is continually tripping, start by unplugging your appliances and restarting them individually. This will allow you to find the fault’s source without touching live wires. Then, if your safety switch or circuit breaker is still tripping, contact a licensed electrician to inspect your switchboard and identify the cause of the problem.
Circuit Breakers
Switchboard upgrades South Australia are a complex electrical task and should only be carried out by a licensed electrician. A local electrician will remove your old fuse-style switchboard and install a new flush type with safety switches and circuit breakers in an airtight enclosure. This will be connected to your consumer main, where the electricity comes from the street via overhead power poles or underground cables.
Modern appliances consume more energy than the ones of decades ago, and your older switchboard can’t handle this increased demand. As a result, it’s common for older homes to experience blown fuses due to excess power consumption.
Blown fuses are signs that it’s time to call a professional electrician for a switchboard upgrade. Unfortunately, it may also mean you have faulty wiring, a significant fire risk. Therefore, having your entire switchboard system rewired while the electrician is on-site for maximum safety is highly recommended.
Older electrical systems that rely on replaceable wires and fuses will not have the capacity to handle the current power demands of modern Australian homes. In addition, these switchboards are prone to short-circuiting, which is very dangerous for your property and the people in it.
You may notice your lights flicker when you switch them on or off. This is another sign that your switchboard needs an upgrade, as it’s a significant indicator of a short circuit. If left unattended, this will lead to an electrical fire that can spread throughout your home or business and cause considerable damage.
Flickering lights can also indicate that the circuits in your switchboard are overloaded. A professional Adelaide electrician can perform a switchboard upgrade to ensure that your electrical systems are safe and up to date.
The cost of switchboard upgrades South Australia will depend on multiple factors. For example, the size of the switchboard, the voltage and amperage it will need to support, and the cost of any additional cabling required will all influence the price. In addition, your electrician will need to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure everything is up to standard. This is an important step that cannot be overlooked, as it will help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
Ceramic Fuses
Old switchboards often have ceramic fuses in place of modern circuit breakers. Unfortunately, these fuses aren’t as safe as circuit breakers, especially in homes with multiple electrical appliances. They can overheat and short-circuit regularly, which can cause damage to your home. If your fuses keep blowing frequently, it’s time to call an electrician and get your switchboard upgraded to include a circuit breaker.