Signs Your Switchboard Needs Upgrading for Perth Homes

When it comes to your home’s electrical system, the switchboard and meter box play important roles; however, most people don’t give these items a second thought until something goes wrong.

The experts at Amp Electrical Perth want to help you understand that the early warning signs of switchboard overload can help you avoid potential problems and ensure your home meets Australian standards.

Many homes in Perth have older, outdated switchboards that can’t keep up with current demands, failing to deliver electricity safely and reliably.

Consider all the items you probably use now that did not exist 25 years ago: cell phone chargers, tablets, computers, security cameras, internet-connected refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and even toaster ovens!

An aging switchboard that was not designed to handle these devices can have overloaded circuits, causing brownouts or tripping.

 

Why Switchboard Safety is a Growing Issue in Perth Homes

 

 

As mentioned earlier, many homes in Perth are 30 to 70 years old, and they are using the same switchboards despite the ever-growing demand for electricity.

The older your home is, the less likely the switchboard and meter box were designed for the power demands of air conditioning, security systems, EV chargers, and modern appliances.

If you are not the original homeowner, it is possible that your home’s electrical system was upgraded at one point, but unless you were specifically informed of that, how can you know if a switchboard upgrade was installed in the recent past?

Even so, it’s entirely possible that your switchboard no longer meets Australian safety standards.

 

What a Switchboard Upgrade Actually Addresses

Upgrading your switchboard is more than just adding new circuit breakers. A switchboard upgrade will modernise the way electricity is distributed throughout your home.

This upgrade will also include new RCD (residual current devices) safety switches, modern circuit breakers, and allow circuits to be separated, minimising the strain on the wiring in your home.

Safety and reliability aren’t items most people think about when considering their home’s electrical system.

 

Clear Warning Signs Your Electrical System is Outdated

 

 

If you notice any of the following signs in your home, it’s telling you that your meter box or switchboard needs an upgrade:

• Limited capacity for high-use appliances (for example, you need to turn off the air conditioning when you want to run the microwave)
• Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
• Power points or switches that feel warm
• Presence of ceramic fuses rather than modern circuit breakers
• A lack of RCD safety switches
• Very warm, buzzing, clicking, or discoloured switchboard components
• Flickering lights, brown out, or turning off-and-on (especially when using appliances with a high demand for electricity, such as air conditioners)

 

Any unusual sound or smell around the switchboard, meter box, power points, or switches should be inspected ASAP by a licensed electrician.

 

What Causes that Burning Smell in a Switchboard?

You must never ignore burning smells from power points or your switchboard.

This is a sign of overloaded circuits, aging wiring or connections, outdated components, and damaged/outdated circuit breakers.

If your switchboard smells like burning plastic or an electrical short, turn off the main power switch and call a licensed electrician. This is to ensure that you and your family are safe from electric shock, electrical fires, and other safety hazards caused by faulty wiring.

 

Old Fuse Boxes and Ceramic Fuses Are Still Being Used in WA Homes

 

 

Many decades ago, ceramic fuses were the standard for Perth homes. Today, those fuses have been replaced with modern circuit breakers that have safety switches RCDs.

While ceramic fuses still work, they are considered obsolete under current Australian Standards.

As more appliances are added to homes, the demand for electricity increases until the switchboard becomes so overloaded that the entire electrical system fails or causes frequent circuit breaker trips.

Replacing outdated units with modern switchboards is one of the best ways to protect your home and your family from an overloaded switchboard, possible electrical faults, and even failure of the electrical system in your home.

 

Modern Appliances Put an Extra Load on Older Switchboards

Look around your home and start counting all the appliances using electricity and the problem becomes clear.

As stated earlier, many of these items did not exist when Perth homes were built and the switchboard was not designed to handle this load.

Induction ovens, microwave ovens, air conditioners, chargers of all types (cell phones, tablets, even electric lighters), electric ovens, EV chargers, security cameras and systems, entertainment systems, and internet-ready appliances all add a strain to your home’s switchboard.

If you experience frequent circuit breaker trips, chances are that you need a switchboard replacement or upgrade.

 

Common Misconceptions that Delay Necessary Upgrades

No one likes to spend money unnecessarily, but if you catch yourself saying or thinking these ideas, you might want to think again:

• Nothing has failed yet, so everything must be OK.
• Trips are just a nuisance; they don’t mean anything.
• Old homes don’t need to meet new standards.
• Upgraded switchboards are optional, not a necessity.

 

If you’ve noticed the signs that your switchboard needs an upgrade, stop delaying. It’s better to do it now than suffer later. Save yourself from costly repairs and more significant safety issues down the road.

 

Practical Steps to Reduce Electrical Risk in the Meantime

If you’re experiencing problems or you’ve noticed that burning smell, you should take these steps to ensure your safety until you can get a sparky to come to your home:

• Avoid running high-demand appliances simultaneously.
• Keep your switchboard and meterbox clear of debris, and keep them away from fabric, boxes or trash bins.
• Turn off the power immediately if there is a burning smell or the switchboard is buzzing.
• Don’t add any new appliances before the problem is fixed.

 

Once the electrician arrives, he will assess the situation and discuss the best options, which may include a switchboard upgrade, adding safety switches, and replacing damaged power points and/or switches.

While these tips are not a long-term solution, they will help reduce the risk of fire hazards.

 

When Should a Licensed Perth Electrician Inspect Your Switchboard?

 

 

Anytime you have doubts or questions about the electrical load in your home, you should have a licensed electrician immediately inspect your switchboard.

If you plan on purchasing an older home, a licensed electrician can offer valuable advice and feedback about the switchboard and/or meterbox.

Of course, if you experience any of the problems mentioned, have noticed dimming lights, or are considering adding a major appliance, such as a split-system air conditioning unit or an EV charging system at home, you should have a qualified sparky inspect the switchboard at the very least.

 

Call Amp Electrical Perth: NEVER a Call-Out Fee!

If you believe your switchboard is struggling to handle the electrical demands of your household, or if you have questions about a switchboard upgrade, what modern switchboards can mean for your home, or the condition of the switchboard you have now, call our helpful staff today!

We are happy to offer free advice, inspect your switchboard and meterbox, as well as provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for repairs or replacement.

Did we mention that there is NEVER a call-out fee?

Don’t spend another day wondering if your switchboard is distributing power safely, call Amp Electrical Perth today!