When was the last time that you commissioned a complete overhaul of your home's electrical system? If you live in a relatively new property, then this may not be so urgent, but if you live in a period home then it should certainly garner your attention. If you haven't upgraded an older installation then you may, in certain circumstances, be contravening the law as well, so all things considered, why should you take action as soon as possible?

Distinguishing Safety Switches

Some states and jurisdictions insist that older properties are fitted with the latest safety switches that protect occupants from electrical shock. These are not the same as fuses or circuit breakers, which are designed to prevent current overloads or short-circuiting. Rather, safety switches are in place to monitor how electricity flows through a specific circuit and cut the power off within a fraction of a second if they detect an anomaly. Each safety switch can be identified by a "test" button, so you can distinguish it from any other outlets.

Not Able to Cope

You have to remember that old-style switchboards were designed before the advent of today's power-hungry appliances. The modern-day and typical Australian home will probably have a full-scale air conditioner, several computers, at least one large screen television and an especially hungry swimming pool pump. All of these items are designed for comfort and luxury but will put an enormous strain on an out-of-date switchboard. Usually, this will result in numerous warnings as circuit breakers, fuses and safety switches trip, and when this happens, it should not be viewed as simply a nuisance but should trigger you to take action.

Adding Even More

If you're thinking about adding something significant to your home such as a solar power array, then you will definitely need to upgrade your electrical system. To start off with, you will have to comply with stringent safety standards set down by the government, but in any case, you need to ensure that your home can take full advantage of this solar power via a reliable and up-to-date system.

Increasing Risk

Remember, substandard equipment can lead to a growing threat. If your switchboard is faulty or you have substandard wiring behind your walls, you may be asking for trouble. When you couple this to a lack of safety switches, this is a recipe for disaster and could lead to the outbreak of fire or an electrocution event.

With so much at stake you should call in an electrician from a company like Smart-Safe Electrical Services, so you can upgrade your switchboard and all associated circuits. 

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