4 signs your electrical switchboard needs an upgrade

The switchboard, distribution board, fusebox, electrical panel, “that box in my hallway,” whatever it’s referred to in your household, is the electrical heart of your home. It is your command centre distributing power that your day-to-day living depends on, and it provides safety and assurance that you are protected when something goes wrong with your electrical system. Given its critical role in safeguarding our families, pets, and belongings, it's surprising how often it’s overlooked. But when something goes wrong, we rely on it to protect us.

As our lifestyles evolve and our homes become increasingly electrified, the demands on our electrical systems grow. An outdated panel may struggle to keep up, leading to potential safety hazards like electrical fires. This blog serves as a friendly reminder to check your switchboard and highlights the top four signs that may be time to upgrade your electrical panel.

Vacuum cleaners tend to use a significant amount of power. They can overload a circuit easily if other devices are being used on the circuit simultaneously, which could trigger the circuit to trip.

1. Circuit Breakers - Hitting the brakes

Just like the brakes on your car, circuit breakers can stop a hazard by eliminating the movement/flow of current when something goes awry (see our blog on electrical safety for more info). If you notice your breakers tripping unexpectedly or more frequently, it could be a sign that something is wrong, such as faulty wiring, or you may have an older board that is not keeping up with your evolving electrical needs. If you experience persistent tripping, fuses blowing, or a breaker not allowing you to reset it, contact your local electrician for support.

Do you still have a fusebox?

Speaking of fuses, having a fusebox in 2024 is like driving a car that doesn’t have airbags. The technology is outdated, if not obsolete, but most importantly, the electrical protection they provide is substandard. Plus, replacing blown fuses must be so tedious, right?

In 2003, the New Zealand wiring rules (NZS 3000) were updated to enhance electrical safety, especially through the expanded use of Residual Current Devices (RCDs). These changes primarily focused on reducing the risk of electric shock and fire hazards. Any switchboards installed before this date (and not upgraded since) would not meet today's minimum standards and continue to grow obsolete as technology advances.

We don’t mean to scare you, but if you still have a fusebox in your home, your family, pets and possessions could risk serious harm, such as a shock or house fire. We highly recommend an upgrade.

Inspect your switchboard and call your electrician if you see exposed wires, signs of wear and tear or if you smell something funky.

2. Signs of Aging - Can you trust your switchboard?

Switchboards can be installed indoors or outdoors (I just discovered this is the case with my home!). Outdoor switchboards can be susceptible to environmental damage due to their exposure. Still, damage can also happen to indoor switchboards, from sneaky critters having a nibble to DIY misadventures or anything in between, so it is important to inspect your switchboard regularly.

If you haven’t recently, why not get up right now and check your distribution board for any visual defects? You’re looking for anything that might be out of place, such as rust, dust, dirt and debris, loose or twisted wires (in fact, you should NEVER be able to see exposed wires) and anything that looks out of place. Rust can indicate water damage, so double-check for water tightness or any signs of water damage nearby. Don’t neglect your other senses; give your switchboard a sniff for burning smells, and listen for strange noises like buzzing or humming. We wouldn’t recommend touching anything you are unsure of, though, or, of course, tasting your switchboard…

If you see anything unusual, you should know the drill by now - call your local electrician.

Modern gadgets and devices require advanced electrical protection measures in your home.

3. Powerful Devices - The age of electrification

As someone who scoffed in the early 2000s that the iPod would never take off, I have had to eat my words as our world has been taken over with modern electronic appliances, devices, and, of course, growing adoption of EVs, which all require electricity to power and charge them. This has increased the household energy demand and exceeds the capacity of the wiring and safety standards of old-school switchboards (think anything pre-2003 when those wiring rules changed).

Adding new powerpoints to older switchboards can be difficult as they weren’t designed with RCDs and modern electronics in mind, adding additional costs or roadblocks when installing new technologies such as solar panels or EV chargers. Fixed wiring is also recommended for high-power appliances such as hot water cylinders and heat pumps. Upgrading your home's wiring and distribution board will help future-proof your home and guarantee better protection against electrical hazards.

Surge protectors come in different shapes and sizes. They're designed to keep your valuable electronics from sudden energy surges.

4. Limited Safety - You may be missing out!

If you haven’t heard of Residual Current Devices and surge protection, check out the articles on our blog - we talk about them plenty! To summarise, an RCD is a lifesaver—literally! Like circuit breakers, they are designed to detect a certain type of electrical fault and instantly cut off the power, preventing serious, sometimes fatal, injuries.

Most of us have been sold surge protectors that plug into the wall by the appliance salesman when upgrading our fridge or computer. These protectors help prevent damage to the internal electrical components by diverting excess current via a grounding wire during an unexpected power surge. You may be interested in learning that you don’t need to have these on your wall socket, and they can be installed at the point of supply, protecting not just one appliance but your whole home!

As mentioned earlier, if your switchboard is older than 2003, you won’t have the most up-to-date RCD protection, and many of us will not have any surge protection on the board. This is surprising as surge protection is one of the best ways to safeguard your assets! For example, if you have solar, most manufacturers highly recommend surge protection to protect your inverter from sudden power surges from a lightning strike or other unexpected events.

If you are still determining whether your switchboard has RCDs or surge protection, you can check by talking to an electrician and asking them to review the safety devices you have in place. They may suggest additions or upgrades to increase the safety of your switchboard.

The Basis smart panel is an all-in-one solution that lets you get more out of your energy.

Upgrading - Consider a Smart Panel

If you’re considering whether an upgrade is right for you, why not update your home with the latest technology?

The Basis smart panel is designed with the most advanced safety protection in mind, including type A and B RCD protection, whole-home surge protection, short circuit, arc fault detection and more. This goes way beyond the protection offered by a traditional switchboard, as we aim to set a new standard in electrical safety. It’s also been designed to be easily configurable for solar, EV chargers, and additional circuits in the future are a breeze to install, avoiding costly upgrades in your future.

Have you ever gotten a powerbill and been completely blindsided by the amount? Make that a thing of the past with the real-time energy insights you get from your Basis smart panel. Identify energy-sucking appliances and ensure you're optimising energy usage by setting up timers and automation sequences so you're not using electricity when you don’t need it, which keeps your hard-earned money in your pocket. Our easy-to-use Basis Home App can access all these features and more.

This is truly scraping the surface of the additional benefits of going beyond a traditional switchboard to the new wave of smart panels. A Basis smart panel is a long-term investment in your home’s safety, energy management, and sustainability.

Conclusion

Your switchboard, often overlooked, is the unsung hero of your home. It's time to give it the attention it deserves. Understanding the signs of an ageing panel and the benefits of upgrading can protect your home and family from potential electrical hazards.

Whether you’ve identified issues like frequent circuit breaker trips, are still using a fusebox, or are looking to accommodate the latest in electrical technology, it’s essential to take action. You can upgrade to a new switchboard or take the leap and install a modern electrical panel, like the Basis smart panel, which enhances safety and improves your home’s energy efficiency and sustainability. With advanced features such as RCD and surge protection, real-time energy insights, and compatibility with future technologies, our smart panel is an investment that pays off in peace of mind and financial savings.

Remember, a safe and efficient electrical system is not just a luxury; it's a necessity. So, take control, make an informed decision, and ensure your home is equipped for the future.