Switchboard Upgrades Adelaide
Mastin Electrical specialise in main board upgrades.
Before you think of doing any electrical work the first money you should spend is on getting switchboard upgrades Adelaide. If you bought a car and the brakes didn’t work correctly you would not spend money on a go fast stripe down the side. This is the same with any property, before spending money on lights and fancy fittings make sure the core electrical system is safe.
Switchboard Upgrades Adelaide for Enhanced Electrical Safety
The switchboard is the heart of the electrical system in your home. It supplies all your electrical needs such as cooking, heating, cooling and charging, the list goes on and on. Switchboards have been added to over the years in most properties’ circuits have been added to without the thought or care of the effects this will have. When problem occur in your electrical system it is your switchboard that should operate successfully to stop injury or a possible fire.
Why get a switchboard upgraded?
There are so many properties that require their main board to be upgraded to present day standards. If you have any of the following items in your main board it is time to get Mastin Electrical to have a look.
- Black asbestos back board
- Old ceramic fuses
- No safety switch
- If you have a safety switch do you have one for power and lights
- No more than three circuits on one safety switch
CONTACT US TODAY TO GET YOUR SWITCHBOARD UPGRADE ADELAIDE
How Switchboard Upgrades are done:
An RCBO is the new modern version of the old safety switch. Each circuit will now have its own safety switch. If there is a fault on the circuit only that circuit will trip and all other circuits will stay energized. By doing this you are ensuring your property has the correct electrical safety guards.
Switchboard Ceramic Fuses
Ceramic fuses are now outdated and a very low means of electrical protection. If you care about the safety of your home, it is time to say goodbye to ceramic fuses. Damage to the wiring can easily occur if the wrong size fuse wire is installed. This can cause the wiring to overheat and, in some cases cause an electrical fire.
Asbestos
Up to 1980 asbestos was commonly used in building materials finally getting banned in 2003 for obvious safety reason. Old switchboards had a black panel where the fuses were mounted. This black panel is asbestos and should be removed when the switchboard is upgraded with a new panel such as bramite.
Switchboard Safety switches
Years ago, there were no safety switches used in electrical wiring systems. Thankfully we have become more safety conscious. By the 1980’s safety switches were being fitted to power circuit as power outlets were more dangerous due to plugging in and out of appliances etc.
The safety switch monitors the flow of electricity and detects leakage to earth, such as when someone comes in contact with a live part. The test button should be pressed monthly to check for correct operation and safety switch testing should be carried out yearly. The testing will verify that the safety switch is operating within the acceptable tripping time.
Switchboard Upgrade Adelaide Compliance With Regulations
Changes to the wiring rules state that if a cable cannot be run in a wall cavity or roof space 50mm away from the surface (in its entirety) it must be on a safety switch. In most cases this is not possible, so a safety switch needs to be fitted to all circuits to comply with the current wiring rules. Most properties that have electrical work carried out will have a “non-compliance” on the certificate of compliance when it is issued as some circuits such as lights, oven Ac units and hot water service will not be on a safety switch. By doing switchboard upgrades Adelaide, you can remove this non-compliance, showing your switchboard is compliant with regulations
The difference between a breaker and a safety switch?
A breaker will work when the circuit is overloaded or if there is a short between live and earth or live and neutral. The breaker does not trip fast enough to stop you from getting a shock. Where as an RCD will operate and stop you from receiving a fatal electric shock.
When you upgrade your switchboard rather that install an RCD install RCBO’s.
If you install an RCD (safety switch) you can only have a maximum of three breakers connected to that RCD after that you need another RCD. The downside of this is RCD’s take up more room in the switchboard and if there is a fault you will lose three circuits.
Mastin Electrical would advise to always use RCBO’s. An RCBO is a breaker and a safety switch combined in one single pole enclosure. If you have a fault on a circuit, with an RCBO you will only lose that one circuit and the rest of the property will have power. Another added benefit is it also make fault finding easier which again will save you money.
We can give you an estimate by simply sending us a photo of your switchboard.
Other Services We Offer:
Smoke Alarm Installation
Infrascan sensor & LED Flood Light
Heat/Light/Fan Bathroom Unit
Absolutely, but only in a good way. When you upgrade your switchboard, there might be a brief pause in your electrical supply. Once done, you’ll have a more efficient and reliable power flow. Think of it as a short break for long-term benefits. If the timing of your switchboard upgrade is crucial, for example, if you work at home, let our electricians know, and we’ll schedule the work at a time that best suits you.
Adelaide homes, especially older ones, might have outdated switchboards that can’t handle today’s electrical demands. Upgrading ensures safety, prevents electrical faults, and can support modern appliances without tripping or overloading. As the technology in our homes improves, we need the appropriate infrastructure to keep up. In addition, older switchboards can be less effective, suffer more faults, and in rare cases, even present a safety risk.
Usually, a switchboard upgrade might take a few hours. However, this can vary depending on your home and the complexity of the task. It’s a short process with lasting rewards. If you only want the switchboard replaced, this is a quick job. But if you also need a lot of your internal wiring replaced, the job becomes a lot more time-consuming. Don’t worry – we’ll give you an accurate timeframe once we’ve assessed your needs.
Australia has strict safety standards for electrical work. When upgrading a switchboard in Adelaide or elsewhere, electricians must follow the Australian and state-specific regulations to ensure everything’s safe and up to code. More importantly, anybody who undertakes electrical work around the home, especially something as complex as a switchboard upgrade in Adelaide, must be a licensed electrician. Warranties and even insurance can be voided if unlicensed people perform electrical work on your home.
While a switchboard upgrade mainly enhances safety and efficiency, it doesn’t directly cut energy consumption. But, with a modern switchboard, your appliances can run better, indirectly leading to potential energy savings. New switchboards also handle renewable energy systems or cost-saving solutions better, so you’ve got more scope to save money on power.
The cost can vary based on factors like your home’s needs and the electrician’s rates. Generally, in Adelaide, a switchboard upgrade might range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Always get a quote first to ensure you get the best deal. When you deal with Mastin Electrical, we’ll check your needs and perform a thorough assessment before giving you an exact quote. After that, though, there are no surprise costs from us.
You sure can! It’s a great time to consider adding more circuits or outlets when you upgrade switchboards. Even if the work to install new power points in the house is a little more extensive, it’s still more cost-effective to have this done while you’re already paying an electrician for your switchboard upgrade. Just ask us before the work starts, and we’ll be sure to incorporate as many new circuits and outlets as you need.