DIY Electrics: Assessing Safety and Knowing When to StopDIY Electrics: Assessing Safety and Knowing When to Stop


About Me

DIY Electrics: Assessing Safety and Knowing When to Stop

When I bought my first home, I could only afford one that was a bit worn down. As we didn't have a lot of money to pay a contractor, my partner and I did a lot of the work ourselves. While we were keen to tackle drywall, rip up and replace flooring and paint everything, we were a bit scared of the electrics. The house was old, and it had suffered from water damage. I wasn't sure what was safe and what wasn't. However, I learned a lot about electrics along the way, and I fell in love with the topic. I want to help others in the same situation so decided to start this blog. My name is Kate, and welcome.

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Is It Time to Change Your Electricity Switchboard?

Electricity from the utility provider passes through the main powerlines into the switchboard and then to your home. Given the danger of the powerlines, it is vital to ensure that your switchboard is functional and up-to-date. Otherwise, it might not regulate all the power coming from the powerline, resulting in major catastrophes in your home. However, many people don't know when to call their electrician for a switchboard upgrade. Here are some signs that it is time to update your electrical switchboard.

You Live in an Old House

An old house is likely to have an old electrical system. If that's the case, it might be necessary to get a switchboard upgrade. That's because an old switchboard might not run the modern electrical machines effectively. The standard switchboard in the past was a 60-ampere, and it could run the old electrical supply models. But the modern electrical appliances will not run if you have anything less of a three-phase 80- ampere system. Thus, it is high time to call your electrician for an electrical switchboard update if you live in an old house.

You Experience Frequent Breaker Trips

The work of the breaker is to trip whenever there is a dangerous surge of the electrical current. The breakers do this to protect your home and appliances from high levels of electricity. If high electric current passes through the breaker, it might damage your appliance or even cause a house fire. Though the tripping of the electrical breakers is important, it should not be too frequent. If that is happening for no apparent reason, then it might be time to have the switchboard changed. Keep in mind that a faulty breaker might not be limiting the amount of current passing through it, and that can be dangerous for your home.

You Have Non-Functioning Appliances

When you invest in appliances, you want to reap maximum benefits from them. But if you notice that your new appliance is not working as it should, then the problem might be with the electrical system and not the appliance. A switchboard that is old or inefficient might cause the appliance not to work as required. 

In case you notice any of the highlighted issues, it is best to call an electrician to fix the issue as soon as possible. The expert will examine the issue and determine if your switchboard needs to be repaired or replaced. It is important to understand that switchboards carry powerful current and should only be handled by trained and experienced electricians. Contact an electrician for more information.