Three Common Indications Your Home May Require an Electric Switchboard Upgrade
How does a home electrical system work? If you're like the majority of people, you don't know much about how residential electrical systems operate. Yet, knowing how to tell if your domestic electrical system needs to be repaired, replaced or updated is crucial to ensure electrical safety at home.
Home electrical systems are made up of several components. Each electric component has a role to play in ensuring safe and efficient distribution and use of electricity around the home. When talking about a home's electric system components, an electric switchboard deserves special mention. This electrical device's main job is to supply power sent from the utility provider to individual electrical devices used in a home.
Over time, the electric switchboard in your home may need to be upgraded to keep up with your household's increased demand for electricity. Here are some warning signs you need to consider an electric switchboard upgrade.
1. Power Tripping
Are your household circuit breakers tripping off too often? This is an indication that the load on your circuits is greater than the circuits can handle. Typically, this happens when you run too many appliances at the same time.
With the modern homeowner's ever-increasing reliance on air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, computers, clothes washers and dryers, home theatre systems and many more domestic appliances that run on electricity, it is imperative that the switchboard is upgraded to handle the increased wattage required by the household.
2. Flickering Lights
Flickering lights aren't just scary — they are also an indication of switchboard overloading. If you notice this problem immediately after you've turned on an extra appliance, you should consider getting a switchboard upgrade, as that is a sign that you lack sufficient power to keep your house powered up.
3. Burnt-out Fuses
Designed to function as an overcurrent protection device, an electric fuse prevents an unsafe electrical condition from flowing to a specific component of an electrical system. This feature helps to save electrical appliances and equipment from extensive damage that may be costly to repair.
If you frequently encounter melted or blackened fuses in your home, this is an indication that your switchboard may require an upgrade to reduce the risk of the fuses overheating and catching fire.
Still not sure if your home's electrical system requires a switchboard upgrade? Talk to an electrician near you today to discuss your job. They'll assess your situation and tell you whether or not you need the upgrade.