Upgrading Your Switchboard

An old, out-of-date switchboard is a serious potential hazard to your family and property. Bayside Electrical strongly recommend a switchboard upgrade wherever possible. Regardless of the potential danger posed by a degraded and under-equipped switchboard, a planned upgrade can save you time and money when compared to an after-hours callout and emergency overhaul.

What Is A Switchboard?

The switchboard is what connects your house electricity to the main street powerlines. We all understand that powerlines are incredibly dangerous, and with that in mind, it’s easy to see how important it is to have your switchboard up-to-date and professionally installed.

Most of us think of the switchboard as ‘just the thing you go to, to flip a breaker switch’ after something has tripped. Don’t let your switchboard’s similarity to other electrical appliances fool you – all the power of everything in your house goes through that small panel. It should be finely tuned to each circuit, plug, switch and socket. The consequences of a mismatched, worn or degraded switchboard can be devastating and unpredictable.

Why Is It Essential To Upgrade Your Home’s Switchboard?

There are many reasons to upgrade your home switchboard, and safety is the most important.

At Bayside Electrical, we’ve often seen switchboards that are more than 60 years old. Exposed copper wires ‘rust’ over time. Degraded wires increase resistance and create hot points – literally hot to touch – which can lead to failure and electrical fire. Other common problems with ancient switchboards include insulation degradation, loose terminals, animal ingress, DIY house extensions and inadequate-gauge wires, the list goes on. Each is a disaster waiting to happen.

Electrical safety has come a long way in the past few decades. Modern switchboards can have multiple fault detection and protection devices on each in-home circuit. But one of the most essential of these devices (the RCD) was only made compulsory in 2003, and so there’s a good chance that your switchboard isn’t as modern as you’d like to think.

The down-stream effects of a lack of switchboard protection include greatly reduced safety of your appliances, electronics and power outlets. The risk of fire and electrocution can be minimised with an up-to-date switchboard.

Before And After

Pre-Upgrade Switchboard

When we arrived.

During Upgrade Switchboard

Photo of new switchboard.

Switchboard Upgrade Services Sheet

Photo showing the key map.

Post-upgrade Switchboard

Photo showing the switchboard and the key map.

4 Must-Have Devices To Ensure Protection

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are the modern form of the old wire fuses. When too much electricity flows through a circuit protected by a circuit breaker, the breaker ‘trips’ and cuts off supply. This is crucial because the wires in your walls can only carry so much electricity before they get hot and start a fire. Circuit breakers protect against ‘overloading,’ and are rated specifically for your building’s wiring. Installing the wrong fuse or circuit breaker is a common cause of faults and fires.

Although it used to be common practice, we recommend that you don’t change the wire in wire fuses yourself. Instead, call Bayside Electrical and get the whole fuse unit replaced with the correct circuit breaker.

RCDs

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are essential devices that protect people from electric shock. They detect electricity that is going into something it shouldn’t – like your hand – and shut it off in a tiny fraction of a second. RCDs were only made compulsory on switchboards in 2003, but were common in bathrooms and wet areas before then. RCDs have saved countless lives.

Arc Fault Protection

Arc faults are strange and terrible faults that can act just like a faultless circuit; meaning they can’t be picked up by circuit breakers or RCDs – leading to fire. Thankfully, technology has advanced and Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs or AFCIs) have been introduced. Just as RCDs were made compulsory in 2003, Arc Fault Detection Devices will soon be made compulsory for new circuits.

Surge Protection

We’re all familiar with ‘black outs,’ where we lose power. Electrical surges are the opposite, where we get more power than we want. A surge is when the normal 240 v supply to your building suddenly increases, overloading all your plugs and appliances and potentially causing property damage or worse. Surges can happen due to electrical network issues, lightning strike, or even ‘solar storms.’ Surge Protectors are a cheap and sensible addition to your switchboard, especially if you are running sensitive electronic equipment like computers or commercial equipment.

Request a Quote from a Master Electrician

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MASTER Electrician is a member of the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand and has met the high safety standard and commercial criteria by the association.

Testimonials

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We offer Tauranga electrical services with commitments to excellence, leadership and high quality customer service. Read some of our recent feedback:

Excellent
Based on 24 reviews
Karen Long
Karen Long
26. September, 2023.
Bayside Electrical have just installed the electrics on a new exterior awning for us. We are so appreciative of the consideration their electrician Michael took to install this in the most unobtrusive way. He took real care and effort and there are no ugly wires or trucking conduit showing. We think this is the best electrics job we’ve ever had done and will now use Bayside Electrical for all future work. We highly recommend them.
Luke Pearless
Luke Pearless
28. June, 2023.
Bayside Electrical Services Ltd recently completed the electrical installation in my house, and they far exceeded my expectations. From start to finish, their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to quality were exceptional. The team showcased extensive knowledge and offered valuable suggestions. The installation process was smooth, efficient, and carried out with attention to detail. Bayside Electrical Services Ltd's customer service was great, with clear communication and prompt responses to any concerns. I highly recommend Bayside Electrical Services Ltd for their outstanding service, professionalism, and exceptional results. I would like to give a shout-out to Ross, the main electrician for my install. His attention to detail, professionalism, and exceptional workmanship were truly impressive. I greatly appreciate his hard work and would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the project.
wendy marson-wood
wendy marson-wood
9. December, 2022.
I just wanted to say your company representative that completed the work required on my property was professional, polite and knowledgeable. He answered all my questions and I felt I was dealing with an honest qualified individual. Thank you and I will be recommending your company to others in the future.
Shane Barr
Shane Barr
18. November, 2022.
On time. Clean. Tidy. Knowledgeable. Willing to discuss options, even for a simple thing like a light switch Brent was happy to patiently go through several scenarios.
Chris Nihotte
Chris Nihotte
21. June, 2022.
Absolutely thrilled with the work that Bayside Electrical have undertaken at our small unit in Mt Maunganui. They have changed it from an old dull unit to a bright, modern, state of the art home. Sarah-in reception, Ryan-the boss and Brent have all been a pleasure to deal with. No trouble to contact, well organized and prompt service. Brent did all we asked and more, coming up with great suggestions on how to make the electrical systems, lighting and heating in the unit better. I highly recommend Bayside Electrical and look forward to working with them again in the future.
Di Roadley
Di Roadley
29. March, 2022.
We did a full rewire of our woolshed, in very rural Wairoa. This was a mixture of new build and replacement of very old wiring and switchboard. We found the Bayside Electrical team to be very efficient. They did all the planning and liaised with the power company, linesman and inspector. They completed the job as scheduled and in less time than anticipated. The Job was signed off as fully compliant. They were very safety conscious and worked within the Covid Protection framework to ensure a safe working environment for themselves, our team and visiting tradesman. We found the team very easy to deal with, the office efficient and professional and the onsite team Brent & Connor to be friendly and fun to have around. Highly recommend and would definitely use this business again.
Turaukawa Bartlett
Turaukawa Bartlett
27. January, 2022.
From the initial contact right through to the end of installation and follow up, we were blown away with the level of professionalism and quality of workmanship. What really stood out though for us was the care taken with fitting the service around our family, especially with two young children. The engagement and approach is second to none. Definitely recommend. Tūraukawa MANAVATION LTD.
Ron McQuilter
Ron McQuilter
12. July, 2021.
I have used Bayside a few times, and more recently to fix my outdoor electric gates. They were quick to respond and helped locate the problem, suggest a resolution and then implement the fix. I can't speak higher about their service. Great communication and service at a reasonable price.
Graham Bernard
Graham Bernard
16. May, 2021.
Was highly recommended this place by Paramount Pools, to do the wiring for my new spa, and Bayside were exceptional. They were very helpful and professional, also a cheaper alternative to other quotes I got!
gael macilquham
gael macilquham
8. March, 2021.
Connar from Bayside Electrical replaced our light/fan/heater in our ensuite and installed new wall lights. As we couldnt replace like for like I was sure we would have to do a bit of cosmetic repair but he did a fantastic job. You would think it had always been there. Cleaned and cleared everything away. Very professional. Highly recommend.