There have been a lot of skilled electricians in New Zealand for years now, and when you are relating the whole incident to switchboards, we have seen everything. Any switchboard that is more than twenty years old has to be replaced. If you are still determining the switchboard’s age, it is simple to find out whether you need to replace the switchboard. There is also an installation date on the switchboard’s main panel. If there is no listed date, the switchboard might be too old and needs parts for replacement.
7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade the Home’s Switchboard
Safety First
The family’s safety should be a top priority, and when you upgrade the switchboard, it is one of the best methods to safeguard the switchboard from electrical problems. There are also older switchboards not equipped to manage electrical work in modern houses, which puts the family at risk of electrical fires or electric shocks.
Save Costs
Making an upgrade on the switchboard can also save you a lot of money as time goes by. Older switchboards are also inefficient, which means you might be wasting electricity and giving you more electricity bills. A better, more efficient switchboard that can save energy will reduce monthly expenses.
Preventing Electrical Outages
If the house is going through an electrical outage, it might indicate that the outdated switchboard needs a replacement immediately! A good switchboard will also handle the electrical consumption in the house and prevent any electrical outages.
Adding Value to The House
If you are trying to think about selling the place of stay, making an upgrade on the switchboard is an excellent way to get more value. Proper buyers are also impressed if the house has a modern, updated switchboard and are willing to pay more for the house.
Modern Appliances
As we try to get more appliances and devices at our place of stay, the power load on circuits will also go up. Running computer devices and game consoles is also rather dangerous.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Many house fires come out from electrical fires. If you upgrade your switchboard or update it regularly, you get to cut down the risk of getting these fires. If the switchboard is older, it might cause the fuses to overcrowd and loosen as time passes, creating wire faults and electrical fires. Power drawn from modern appliances from the electrical system means that you also need more capacity in the switchboard to avoid fuses from blowing out with higher protection levels. Upgraded switchboards also have circuits with RCDs that will trip if something happens, and they get to cut off the power if there is a fault between the appliances and the electrical wiring.
Complying With The Right Electrical Standards
The government and other bodies also set a lower safety level and try to comply with the different electrical standards for all homes and building owners. It ensures that all the electrical systems cope with the different power usage that demands different modern households fix their switchboard with a higher need for household appliances and other technical requirements. There are so many electrical standards with different requirements for the switchboard, including all the different power switches and lighting with safety features for closing down when the system becomes overloaded. It also prevents electrical faults from damaging the property.
Upgrading the House’s Switchboard Is Another Important Electrical Safety Improvement
If the house was built before 1987, it might come with an older-style fuse box with fuses that can be rewired. These fuses no longer meet the New Zealand building code, creating a lousy fire risk. However, if the house has a rewirable fuse system, you should upgrade the switchboard to a new compliant switchboard as fast as possible. The cost of getting a new switchboard will also depend on your home’s age and condition. Apart from age, different signs indicate it is the right time for you to upgrade. If the switchboard is made of wood or asbestos, it must be replaced. All materials must be updated and no longer meet our present safety standards.
Moreover, if the switchboard does not have an RCD – residual current device, it is another big sign that you will get a new one. RCDs are crucial for preventing any electrocution and other fires, so ensuring your switchboard has an RCD system is crucial. If you are still determining if the switchboard has to be replaced, it is better to be cautious and get the switchboard checked out. The local experts will be able to go through the whole situation and advise you on the best decision you should take. It is better to do a switchboard replacement than to get into a dangerous accident.
The Right Time to Upgrade The Switchboard
While it might seem like a lot of money to invest in, the switchboard must also be responsible for sending electricity to the whole house, and it is also a big part of the electrical system. It has to be updated so that it can function correctly.
A good switchboard upgrade will protect the property from a power outage and other electrical fires and saves you a lot of money in the long run. Outdated electrical systems need to be more efficient, so upgrading them will improve things! Don’t do it yourself; call the experts to do it for you!
Benefits of Upgrading A Switchboard
Protection Against Electrocution
Nothing makes the person a better head of the family or a better boss than making sure the workers and other people living in the house from getting electrocuted.
Protecting Property and Assets From Fire Danger
Due to wire degrading and bad fuses, old switchboards can also create a fire hazard. When you replace the old switchboard, you reduce the risk of the switchboard creating a fire.
Cutting Down Maintenance Costs
Who does not like to save money? Older equipment might need more repairs regularly and might cost a lot. Cut down the repairs by getting a new switchboard.
Extend the Lifespan of the Electrical Equipment
If you have electronics in 2023, and the switchboard is in the 1900s, you should upgrade to a better switchboard.
Making Sure the Business Is Compliant And Can Give You A Good Workplace
A brand new board that you get an expert to install will comply with the different regulations, meaning that you don’t have to worry about the safety of the building. It will make the workplace safe.
Takeaway
Now that you know everything good about why you should fix your switchboard, it is time to upgrade it today.