Your switchboard is your property’s electrical system control centre. It directs power to where it’s needed, keeps circuits protected and plays a big part in keeping you and your home safe.
But like most things, switchboards don’t last forever. Wiring standards change, technology moves forward and components start to feel the effects of wear and tear. After a while your switchboard will start showing its age, and when it does you need to act before it becomes an electrical safety hazard. If you’re in an older house, this can be particularly relevant.
We’re going to go through the Australian and Queensland requirements when it comes to switchboard compliance today, before looking at the tell-tale warning signs that it’s time for a switchboard upgrade.
The Wiring Rules: Australian Switchboard Standards
Electricians in Brisbane and around Australia are familiar with the standard AS3000, which is often referred to as ‘the Wiring Rules’. This guides us in the design, construction and service of electrical installations, including switchboards.
A large sector of its regulations concern safety switches, circuit breakers, and the switchboard layout. Boards that feature ceramic fuses or lack circuit breaker protection just don’t suffice today and won’t meet the minimum requirements.
Queensland Law and Switchboards
Queensland electrical safety laws make compliance with the Wiring Rules mandatory – if you don’t meet the standards, you’re not compliant. We’re not saying everyone is legally required to upgrade their switchboard right away. Instead, different scenarios would prompt a need to upgrade. For example, if you do some big renos at your home, a large electrical upgrade or adding a new solar system.
Even if you don’t find yourself in one of those situations, there are plenty of advantages to having a modern switchboard installed. Here are some signs that you should really be thinking about upgrading to one.
5 Indicators Your Switchboard Needs an Upgrade
Switchboards have common warning signs to let you know they’re not coping with the demands of your property. This is what you should look out for.
- Breakers trip repeatedly
When your circuit breakers are tripping more than you’d like, your board isn’t handling the load. This can happen when you install more appliances or air conditioning over time but the switchboard is still the same. Constant tripping is a sign that your electrical system is running above its safe capacity. - Lights flicker or become darker regularly
Flickering lights, or ones that go dim when you plug in a power-heavy device like a kettle, are a sign your electrical system is under pressure. A switchboard upgrade could be in order. - Burning smells
Is a burning smell coming from your switchboard or any of your lights or electrical outlets? You need to get in touch with a licensed electrician ASAP. They’ll look into the issue and make your property safe again. - No safety switches on your switchboard
Safety switches are lifesavers. Safety switches turn off power straight away if they register an earth leakage of electricity, such as if a person touches an accidental live wire. - Ceramic fuses on your switchboard
Ceramic fuses were standard decades ago, but they’re far behind today’s technology. Circuit breakers and safety switches are much better equipped to handle the heavy electrical loads of today’s devices. If your board still uses ceramic fuses, it’s time for an upgrade.
Advantages of Your New Switchboard
The peace of mind a modern switchboard offers is invaluable. There are a bunch of other advantages you get along with this, including:
- Better protection: Electrical safety risks are minimised.
- Room to grow: Your new switchboard will be able to handle extra load that you add to it in the future. You’re essentially future-proofing your property.
- Australian standards compliance: Being compliant with the Wiring Rules is important from a legal perspective, while keeping your property as safe as can be.
- Simplified maintenance: Newer boards are simpler to repair, reducing downtime or the need to ring up a local electrician.
Installing Solar? You May Need a switchboard upgrade
If you’re making the move to solar power, you want to be sure your property can handle it. Older homes, in particular those built before 2002, that still have their original switchboard may need an upgrade before the solar system gets installed.
Our Brisbane solar installers frequently run into older switchboards that don’t meet the required spec for solar. We’d suggest getting us on-site to check your switchboard and advise on whether you need to upgrade it, so we can work it into your solar quote. That way we can make sure you’re fully compliant, plus your property gets a nice electrical safety boost!
Contact the Brisbane Switchboard Experts
If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs we’ve outlined above, or you’ve got electrical jobs booked in advance like solar installation or large renovations, now’s the time to get your switchboard checked out.
The Voltora Industries electricians are experts in switchboard upgrades and installations. We’re fully licensed, with decades of collective experience under our belts. We know what it takes to get your switchboard up to standard and minimise any electrical safety risks on your property.
Get in touch today and let’s arrange an inspection. Click here for an obligation free quote.
Lets get started
