Switchboards

Have you checked If you have old porcelain fuses and unprotected circuits on your current fuse box or switchboard? If so, they are most definitely unsafe and Noncompliant with the current regulations (BS7671:2008). If your fuse box is old and has fuse wire type fuses, it is worth giving serious consideration to upgrading it. Modern switchboards have RCD protection built in, in the form of safety switches or RCBO’s, which will literally save your life in the event of a fault or power surge.

Every home, office, and commercial property should have dedicated safety switches, one on each circuit, to protect against electric shock. Safety switches monitor the flow of current through the circuit they’re installed on. When the flow is normal, the switches are disengaged; but if the switch detects a difference in power or power surge, as would be the case if you were to ever come in contact with any part of the electrical system, it’s immediately engaged and will switch-off the power supply in .003 of a second.

If you are looking at acquiring new or bigger appliances or perhaps you simply need a new power point in your home, then you will need to invest in a switchboard upgrade. If your switchboard is aged or you still have ceramic fuses, then your home does not meet the current Australian Standards. This is a hazard and could be potentially very dangerous.

Another reason to upgrade your switchboard is due to overheating circuits without protection. Electrical switchboard overheating can be caused by many variants such as loose connections, equipment overload, excessive dust and vermin infestation, such as ants, can create the scenario for a fire to develop. This overheating condition can remain undetected by normal fire detection systems, such as smoke alarms, until excessive smoke develops, or a fire starts in your switchboard. Any circuits with Safety Switches installed will immediately shut down in the event of overheating, negating the risk of fire in the switchboard.