Do you need to update your switchboard?

Written By ben ridout

Ahhhh your switchboard! It’s so fundamental to your life but you possibly aren’t even sure where or what a switchboard is nor that it might need updating! 
We have put together 5 reasons why you should upgrade your switchboard today, but first let’s discover what one is! 

Think of a switchboard as the brain of your home. It is the central functioning hub of all the electrical wiring. Containing many safety switches and circuit breakers, the primary purpose of a switchboard is to direct the electricity from the main supply to where it needs to go in your house- such as when you turn a light on or the washing machine.  

Switchboards are designed to circuit out when something is wrong in the home’s electrical wiring like when a line is overused or an electric appliance malfunctions. This reaction keeps your house safe from fires and can save family members from being electrocuted; a top reason on why you need to keep them up to date! 

Reasons you should upgrade your switchboard

  1. Eliminate the risk of fires – Fires may start due to aging wiring and faulty fuses. Replacing your older versions to a newer updated switchboard eliminates the risk and have inbuilt safety switches.  

  2. Updated electrical safety requirements – The Australian Government regularly review electrical standards to comply with our expanding and changing electrical needs and usage. What may have been standard practices years ago are now seen as illegal and dangerous. It is important to have your switchboard updated to meet the modern-day safety practices. 

  3. Modern homes need more power – Older switchboards can no longer meet our modern electrical usages. The standard home these days has more appliances and technical advancements which means more power needs to be supplied. Older switchboards struggle under this pressure and demand, which can lead to problems like electrical accidents, flickering lights, constant overloading, overheating and increased fire hazards and electrical shocks.  

  4. Asbestos Risk – Asbestos was commonly used as a backing on fuse board panels. The use of this building material was not completely stopped until 2003. If your home is built before this time, it is a good idea to have this checked as these backing panels can present a health risk if they are damaged or if anyone is exposed to the asbestos fibres.  

  5. Safety Switches – New style switchboards have updated safety features like surge protectors, fast activating circuit breakers and safety switches. These features lower the risk of fire hazards and other potentially life-threatening electrical accidents. 

Some tell-tale signs your switchboard may need updating are –  

  • Lights flickering 

  • Constant power trips (short-circuiting appliances) 

  • The age of your home 

  • Sparks when inserting a plug 

  • Overcrowded, old and messy wiring 

  • Shocks  

  • Buzzing noises 

  • PowerPoints becoming hot and discoloured 

  • No circuit breakers, instead has rewireable fuses. 

Your switchboard is the control hub of your entire home and business. If there are any issues, or if it needs updating it can result in many problems around your entire property.  

If you find you have questions on whether or not your switchboard needs updating it might be time to have a professional come out and take a look!  

Our team here at Integrate Solutions are highly qualified professionals who can help you upgrade your switchboard to the highest industry standards. Outdated switchboards can be the difference between losing power and losing a life, so give us a call on 0403 147 430, email ben@integratesolutions.com.au or contact us via our socials for a chat and quote today. 

ben ridout