The Electricians for YOUR HOME, on the Gold Coast!
Specialising in fully compliant Switchboard Upgrades
KeenSpark Electrical
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Are you looking for residential specialist electricians for your home?
Experts in existing homes for lighting, fans, power points, smoke alarms, electric vehicle chargers and much more including Switchboard Upgrades and the installation of Safety Switches, RCDs and Surge Protection.
Focused exclusively on Existing Residential Homes ONLY for you the homeowner, we’ve become SPECIALISTS, not generalists carrying out electrical service, maintenance and upgrades in our fantastic clients' homes on the Gold Coast.
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Switchboard Upgrades
Improve the safety and protection of your home's electrical system with a professionally completed switchboard upgrade. KeenSpark Electrical can assess your existing switchboard, explain what needs attention and provide a clear recommendation based on the condition of your installation. Don't take any risks – schedule your inspection today!
✆ CALL 0432 145 674
When Should You Upgrade Your Current Switchboard Installation?
If your switchboard still uses ceramic or rewireable fuses, has limited safety-switch protection, is damaged or overcrowded, or does not have enough capacity for planned electrical upgrades, it may be time to have it assessed.
Older switchboards are not automatically unsafe simply because of their age, but they may not provide the same level of protection as a modern switchboard.
A switchboard upgrade can include replacing older fuses or circuit breakers with modern protection devices. RCBOs are commonly used because they combine circuit-breaker protection against overloads and short circuits with RCD protection against electrical leakage.
KeenSpark Electrical can inspect your existing switchboard and explain what, if anything, should be upgraded based on its condition, existing protection and the electrical work you are planning.
RCDs and RCBOs are designed to save lives.
Why is Electrical Safety So Important?
Safety Switches Help Protect Against Electric Shock
Safety switches, also known as RCDs, are designed to help protect people from electric shock.
They continuously monitor the electrical current flowing through a circuit. If current begins leaking from the intended electrical path, which can occur because of faulty wiring, damaged equipment or contact with live electrical parts, the safety switch can disconnect the electricity within milliseconds.
A safety switch only provides protection to the circuit or circuits connected to it. For maximum protection, the Queensland Electrical Safety Office recommends considering safety-switch protection on all circuits in the home.
Modern residential switchboards commonly use RCBOs, which combine safety-switch protection and circuit-breaker protection in a single device.
Older Switchboards and Electrical Fire Risk
Older, damaged or poorly maintained switchboards can develop electrical problems that may increase the risk of overheating, equipment damage or fire.
Potential problems can include loose or deteriorated connections, overloaded circuits, damaged components, heat damage and contamination inside the switchboard.
Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to protect electrical wiring against excessive current, while safety switches perform a different role by detecting electrical leakage and helping protect people from electric shock.
During a switchboard inspection or upgrade, KeenSpark Electrical can assess the condition of the existing equipment and circuit protection and identify signs of damage, overheating or other electrical issues.
Older Switchboards May Contain Asbestos
Some older switchboard panels, meter boards and electrical components may contain asbestos-containing materials.
Queensland Government guidance advises that switchboards constructed or imported before 1 January 2004 may contain asbestos, with switchboards installed before 1990 particularly likely to contain asbestos-containing materials.
Because asbestos cannot always be reliably identified by sight, suspected materials need to be treated appropriately before they are drilled, cut, removed or otherwise disturbed.
KeenSpark Electrical follows appropriate asbestos safety procedures when working with older switchboards and can advise you if suspected asbestos-containing materials may affect your switchboard upgrade.
Switchboard FAQ
What's the Difference Between Circuit Breakers, Safety Switches and RCBOs?
Circuit breakers and safety switches perform different jobs.
A circuit breaker protects electrical wiring against excessive current caused by conditions such as an overload or short circuit.
A safety switch, also known as an RCD, helps protect people from electric shock by detecting electrical current leaking from the intended circuit and quickly disconnecting the electricity.
An RCBO combines both forms of protection into a single device. In modern residential switchboards, individual RCBOs are commonly used so each circuit can have both overcurrent and residual-current protection.
If your switchboard still uses ceramic or rewireable fuses, older circuit breakers or has limited RCD protection, KeenSpark Electrical can inspect the existing installation and explain whether an upgrade is recommended.
How Long Does It Take to Upgrade a Switchboard?
A typical residential switchboard upgrade can often be completed in around four hours. However, the time required depends on the condition and layout of the existing switchboard, the number of circuits, accessibility and whether any additional electrical issues are identified during the work.
How Does a Safety Switch Detect a Problem in the Circuit?
A safety switch continuously compares the electrical current flowing out through the circuit with the current returning.
If it detects an imbalance caused by current leaking from the intended electrical path, it quickly disconnects the electricity. This helps protect against serious electric shock when a fault occurs on a circuit protected by the safety switch.