Switchboard Upgrades and Repairs | db electrical
Switchboard upgrades and repairs
Switchboard upgrades and repairs are essential to ensuring the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your electrical system. Whether you're upgrading to meet modern safety standards or addressing faults in your current system, professional electricians are required for the job. Upgrades can involve adding circuit breakers, replacing outdated components, or enhancing the switchboard to handle higher electrical demand. Regular maintenance and timely repairs prevent issues and ensure your system stays compliant with safety regulations.
At DB Electrical, our team of Master Electricians specialises in switchboard upgrades and wiring for both homes and businesses. If you have an older switchboard, particularly one with rewireable fuses, your property may be at a higher risk for electrical fires and shocks. Modern switchboards, as required by Queensland law, include safety switches to protect against electrical faults. Whether you're installing new appliances or undergoing renovations, upgrading your switchboard ensures safety and prevents system overloads.
Why Do You Need an Electrical Switchboard Upgrade?
An electrical switchboard upgrade is often necessary to:
- Meet modern safety standards
- Prevent overloading
- Support new appliances
- Reduce fire and shock risks
Older switchboards, particularly those with rewireable fuses, pose a significant risk of electrical hazards, including fires and electrocution. Upgrading to a modern switchboard ensures compliance with safety regulations and incorporates essential safety features like mandatory safety switches. These switches isolate circuits during faults to protect your home or business. If you're renovating or installing new appliances, an upgrade will prevent overloads and improve overall electrical safety.
The Dangers of Older Switchboards
Older switchboards with ceramic rewireable fuses were originally designed for fewer household appliances. Today’s modern homes typically feature many more electrical devices, which can easily overload these outdated systems. This increases the risk of power outages, electrical fires, and circuit trips. Renovations or the addition of new appliances can push the limits of older switchboards, making them even more dangerous. Furthermore, many older systems lack essential safety switches, which are necessary to reduce the risk of electrical hazards.
Upgrading your switchboard ensures that your system is capable of handling modern electrical demands safely and efficiently.
Rewiring for Safety and Efficiency
Older electrical wiring can cause unreliable or intermittent power supply, leading to potential safety risks such as power outages, electrical fires, or electrocution. If your home has outdated wiring, we can assess its condition and perform any necessary rewiring to meet current standards. This service not only enhances the reliability of your electrical system but also reduces risks associated with electrical hazards.
By rewiring your home, we provide a safer, more efficient electrical setup that offers long-term peace of mind.
Why Choose DB Electrical?
At DB Electrical, we offer expert switchboard upgrades, rewiring, and repairs for homes and businesses. Our Master Electricians ensure all work meets the latest safety standards, providing you with peace of mind and a reliable electrical system. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you bring your electrical system up to date!
Q. What is a switchboard and what does it do?
A. A switchboard is the control centre for your property’s electricity. It distributes power to different circuits and provides protection through circuit breakers (or older fuses). Modern switchboards also include safety switches (RCDs) to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Q. How do I know if my switchboard is outdated?
A. Common signs include old-style ceramic fuses, limited space for circuits, missing or minimal safety switch (RCD) protection, frequent tripping, or visible heat marks and wear. If you’re adding new appliances or renovating, an assessment can confirm whether the board has the capacity and protection it needs..
Q. What’s the difference between a circuit breaker and a safety switch (RCD)?
A. A circuit breaker protects the wiring by switching off when a circuit is overloaded or there’s a short circuit. A safety switch (RCD) is designed to protect people by cutting power quickly when it detects certain electrical faults, such as current leaking to earth. They do different jobs, and modern switchboards commonly include both
Q. Why does my power keep tripping at the switchboard?
A. Tripping can be caused by overloaded circuits, a faulty appliance, moisture issues, deteriorating wiring, or protection devices that are worn or not suited to the load. The safest approach is to have the circuits and appliances tested so the real cause is identified — not guessed
Q. Do I need safety switches (RCDs) installed?
A. Safety switches are one of the most important protections in a modern electrical system. If your home has no RCDs (or only covers a small part of the house), it’s worth having your switchboard and circuits assessed so you know what protection you do—and don’t—have
Q. Can you replace an old fuse box with circuit breakers?
A. Yes. We can upgrade older fuse-style boards to modern circuit breakers and add safety switches (RCDs) where required. The upgrade improves safety, reliability, and makes it easier to manage circuits and future electrical additions.
Q. Can a switchboard upgrade help with flickering lights or power issues?
A. It can — if the cause is overloaded circuits, loose or degraded connections, or outdated protection that isn’t coping with demand. We’ll test and inspect first to confirm what’s driving the issue, then recommend the right fix (which might be an upgrade, additional circuits, or a targeted repair).
Q. Will a switchboard upgrade allow for new appliances like air con or an EV charger?
A. Often, yes. Larger appliances typically need dedicated circuits, and the switchboard must have enough capacity and the correct protection to supply them safely. We can check your existing setup and advise what’s needed before anything is installed.
