Your switchboard is the central hub of your home's electrical wiring. It's responsible for directing electricity from the main supply to various circuits all around your home. Your switchboard is generally located either inside your home or near your meter box.
Why should I consider upgrading my switchboard?
A switchboard's electrical integrity is essential for your family's safety and should be upgraded every 25 years.
Outdated electrical systems have inefficient power distribution, especially when you start adding modern appliances to the load, causing problems and even hazards.
Many of the beautiful old homes around Wellington were designed and built with fewer outlets and less lighting, simply because there was no need. Nowadays, our homes have much more technology. Modern appliances, additional lighting and extra outlets puts pressure on older electrical systems, causing outages and potentially hazards such as electrocution and electrical fires.
If you’re considering extensive renovations to your home, upgrading your switchboard is an investment in futureproofing your home for future electrical demand. Common additions like ducted heat pumps and spa pools need dedicated circuits to power them and prevent your switchboard from overloading.
How do I know I need to upgrade my switchboard?
If you notice a burning smell in any part of your house, or if you feel a tingling sensation when you touch an electrical appliance, contact an electrician immediately.
However, less obvious signs can be:
Consistent flickering or dimming lights. This can be caused by loose wiring in old switchboards.
Short-circuiting appliances. Older switchboards have a propensity to ‘trip’ (short circuit). This is essentially a safety mechanism to protect the circuit from overloading and causing an electrical fire.
An overcrowded switchboard. If your switchboard's wiring looks overcrowded, err on the side of caution.
Switchboard upgrade: before and after
We recently upgraded a Lower Hutt customer’s switchboard to provide his household and appliances with extra protection.
Switchboard: before upgrade
Switchboard: after upgrade
Need to chat about your switchboard? Call us for advice or an obligation-free quote.