SWITCHBOARD UPGRADES
You might say that the switchboard is the heart of your house. What do they do, exactly? Your switchboard distributes power to your main switch and each individual safety switch or fuse which powers all the electrical appliances and lights in your home.
And, a switchboard is also the place where your electricity provider will read your meter every three months. It’s here they measure energy consumption for billing purposes.
Ideally, your switchboard should have clear access from the street, and if possible located outside your fenced area if you have pets to give you meter reader easy access.
How can I tell if I need a switchboard upgrade?
Over time, some components of your electrical switchboard may present a fault. Common faults are found in safety switches, circuit breakers and cables caused by overload, poor connection or the switchboard nearing the end of its life.
A switchboard upgrade is recommended under a few different circumstances:
- You notice a black smoulder, smoking, or any sign of melting around the old ceramic fuses or cabling in your current switchboard.
- Your current switchboard is not equipped to handle the power consumption demands of new electrical appliances or extra living areas as part of a home renovation, causing ongoing power outages.
- You notice brown or black residue in light fittings when changing globes.
The Terrigal Electrical team can replace old ceramic fuses with modern circuit breakers and RCDs to keep you and your property safe from electrical fire. If you think you might need a switchboard upgrade, contact us for professional advice.