The huge rise in the number of electrical devices we have in our homes and places of work puts demands on systems that were not designed to cope with the pressure they may now be under. This can be made apparent by the number of electrical sockets in each room. Modern buildings typically have several double sockets, while an older building may have only one, and that is a single.

The switchboard bears the brunt of this increase in power usage, so if you are putting more and more demands on it, it stands to reason there could be consequences. Here are five symptoms to look out for.

The Problem of Ceramic Fuses and Dated Boards

Dated boards tend to have ceramic fuses. They may be from an era before circuit breakers were even invented. We still use the phrase “blowing a fuse” when we mean losing our temper through being overloaded, because that was what used to happen in electrical systems; the fuse was developed as a built-in weak link that would prevent damage to equipment.

The fuse would then have to be repaired with fuse wire (and the problem that caused the issue remedied) before normal service could be resumed. The trip switch was a way of dealing with the same issue without the fuse having to be repaired or replaced.

When a device or a circuit suddenly stops working, we head for the electrical switchboard and can see at a glance which switch has been tripped. Once the problem has been resolved, we simply flick the switch back up, and we’re back in business.

Frequently Tripping Safety Switches and Circuit Breakers

If trip switches keep being triggered, it is a sign that something needs to be repaired or upgraded. If a circuit is often overloaded to the point of needing to be broken, the problem must be addressed, and this is a job for a qualified electrician.

Critical Warning Signals

Flickering lights and buzzing sounds are signs that something is amiss. The system is struggling to cope, and something needs to be done before the visual and auditory signs turn into a loss of function. In other words, you need to take action before something stops working altogether.

Planning for Future Power Needs (Air Con, Solar, etc.)

Being aware of the need to upgrade your electrics means being able to prevent issues and possible damage or harm to humans and animals. If you are going to have air conditioning installed, for instance, this will place an additional strain on the system, including the board. The sensible approach is to anticipate this and have an electrician look at your board and the wiring in general.

A charging station for an electric vehicle is a current example of something that could cause a sudden demand, but it could equally be a tumble dryer or electric dishwasher if you haven’t had one before. Changes to your supply, such as a solar installation, should also be kept in mind.

The Safety Benefits of a Modern Circuit Breaker System

As we saw earlier, a modern circuit breaker system is a big improvement on the old method of having fuses to blow, but it is not the ultimate answer. What you really need is to get your electrics checked over regularly and guard against trouble before it arrives. At Florance Electrical, we can do just that for you. Get in touch with our team to get started.

All mains electricity for a building comes in through a switchboard and is distributed throughout the property to several sockets and switches that provide power to lights and various appliances. A switchboard will also have circuit breakers, safety switches or fuses that are there to protect the property and its occupants against electric shocks and electrical fires caused by a malfunction of the system or any connected appliance.

A switchboard is therefore an essential element within your electrical system and needs to be at peak efficiency. To ensure this is always the case, upgrading switchboard systems is sometimes necessary. This is particularly relevant at a time when technology is changing constantly and putting increasing demand on household and business power.

When a Switchboard Upgrade is Necessary

According to Australian Wiring Rule AS3000:2018, a switchboard replacement is required if:

• An electrical defect notice has been received, stating that the electrical installation does not meet safety standards
• The system is being altered by installing new lights and power points throughout the property
• You are installing some major electrical appliances, such as a pool heater, air conditioning or irrigation pumps that require large amounts of power.

An electrical switchboard upgrade to the system is recommended if:

• Your existing system is quite old, particularly if it has outdated ceramic or porcelain fuses that are unable to meet modern power demands
• Fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently because the system cannot support the number of connected appliances
• Lights tend to flicker, or there are buzzing noises coming from the switchboard
• Cables become overheated due to power overloads
• You need to introduce more capacity for future use, or you are concerned about the risk of fire.

A new switchboard will make your electrical system safer, more reliable and better able to cope with future demand.

Upgrading to a Switchboard that Meets Your Needs

When installing a new switchboard, you first have to decide what you want:

• Air-insulated switchboards are the cheapest and easiest to install and maintain, while metal-enclosed ones are the most expensive and complex, but offer enhanced durability and protection.
• New switchboards have greater circuit capacity, so you can have as many circuits as you currently need, plus some extras to allow for future growth.
• If you have high electricity demand, a three-phase switchboard that has three live wires with different voltages will cost more than a single-phase switchboard but will offer greater capacity and efficiency.
• An older house may have an asbestos panel in the switchboard, which will make replacement more complex and expensive.
• The consumer mains that connects the outside supply to your building may need to be upgraded to handle high demand, while old and dangerous cables may also need to be replaced.

Switchboard upgrade projects can be challenging and complex processes, but we will help you make the right decisions. Contact Florance Electrical to determine if you need to upgrade, and we will ensure it is done properly with a comprehensive safety inspection.