Hidden Dangers Of A Faulty Switchboard

Faulty switchboards are a safety hazard that can risk your and your family’s lives.

Defects on your switchboard or electrical circuits might seem invisible at times, but that doesn’t rule out the fact of their presence. Even a single spark could become something significant, so you should be careful while dealing with them. In most cases, bad wiring is a sign of a faulty switchboard, which isn’t ideal as it can malfunction anytime.

A faulty switchboard is a severe safety hazard. It can lead to fires, electric shocks, and property damage. If you suspect your switchboard is defective, it is essential to have it inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician as soon as possible.

Some of the dangers of having a faulty switchboard:

• Fire: A faulty switchboard can overheat and start a fire. This can be a significant safety hazard, especially if the fire begins in a place where people are sleeping or unaware.
• Electric shock: A faulty switchboard can cause someone to experience an electric shock. This can be fatal, especially if the shock is strong enough to stop the heart or breathing.
• Property damage: A faulty switchboard can cause property damage, including damage to electrical appliances, furniture, and the building itself.

If you suspect your switchboard is faulty, it is essential to have it inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician as soon as possible. Do not try fixing the switchboard, as this could worsen the problem.

So, let’s get into this dangerous world of faulty boards without further ado!

What Is A Switchboard?

Electric switchboards are vital electric distribution systems without which your home or office cannot supply electricity. It’s a device that distributes electric current from a source to different points of termination connected to it.

This source could be anything that feeds current into the switchboard (usually an electric generator), divides the current into small components, and redirects it as branch circuits. These circuits then distribute current to different devices.

Switchboards monitor the current flow so your devices don’t malfunction due to too much current. Every switchboard has protective devices like fuses or a circuit breaker, preventing an electrical overload when the voltage is too high. By doing this, they maintain the safety of the uninterrupted power supply to your appliances and home.

But what if your switchboard is faulty and could malfunction any minute now? Horrifying, right? Well, it indeed is, seeing how vital they are in maintaining, monitoring, and protecting the safety of your home. Proper care must be taken while installing switchboards or repairing faulty ones. Otherwise, it could jeopardise your or your close one’s life.

Hidden Dangers Of A Faulty Switchboard

Faulty switchboard installations with shoddy wiring are a cause of concern. They won’t only put your life in danger but also the one who’s repairing it, like the technician. Additionally, a big no is an old and outdated switchboard that isn’t built with fuses.

Therefore, such circumstances require repairing or even re-installing a switchboard. And let’s not forget that government regulation backs this. So, if you spot an old or faulty electrical system, it’s essential to get it changed or repaired. Otherwise, a switchboard fault won’t take long to convert into a fire hazard or electrocution.

Signs Of A Faulty Switchboard

Let’s face it: not all of us are electrical wizards when spotting issues with a faulty switchboard. Most of us don’t even know that a problem exists before it’s too late to consider it a problem. So, before your electrical issues transform into something bigger, like electrical hazards, there are some things that you can do to check if your switchboard is faulty or not.

You can visually inspect any warning signals in a faulty switchboard. Some of them are listed below.

• Poorly installed wiring, faulty wiring or exposed wires
• Frequent flickering lights
• A burning smell from the switchboard
• Buzzing or crackling noises
• Electric shock from faulty equipment or appliances
• Frequently blowing of fuse
• Circuit breakers continually tripping
• Unsteady electricity supply
• Overloads and power spikes

Safety Hazards Of Faulty Switchboards

A wiring fault in your switchboard is an electrical emergency and can lead to more significant safety hazards for your loved ones and others. So, once you suspect a defect with your switchboard, call a professional electrician to get the necessary repair. Otherwise, if left unrepaired, it can:

• Cause damage to your electrical appliances and property
• Lead to a fire hazard
• Electrocution
• Personal injury

Thus, you should immediately follow the necessary precautions to avoid falling prey to these dangerous situations. To do that, you should first prevent touching any faulty wire.

Secondly, you should cut off the main power supply to stop the current from flowing and further damaging your electrical appliances. After that, immediately call an emergency electrician to solve the issue and fix the faulty switchboard.

Your emergency electrician will repair the switchboard and ensure the problem doesn’t occur again. Older switchboards may be replaced with a new residual current device (RCD). As a side note, we recommend having a regular yearly check of your switchboards to spot any issues early on and prevent tragedy.

Preventing Faults For Switchboard Safety

There are several things you can do to prevent a faulty switchboard. These include:

• Have your switchboard regularly inspected and tested by a qualified electrician. This is the best way to ensure that your switchboard is in good working order and that there are no potential problems.
• You are not overloading your switchboard. Each switchboard has a maximum capacity. If you overload your switchboard, it can overheat and cause a fire.
• Do not overheat your switchboard. Switchboards can overheat if they are not adequately ventilated. Ensure that your switchboard is in a well-ventilated area and that nothing is blocking the vents.
• Keep your switchboard clean and free of debris. Debris can build up on switchboards and cause overheating. Make sure to clean your switchboard regularly and remove any debris that may be present.
• You are replacing your switchboard if it is damaged or old. Switchboards have a lifespan. If your switchboard is damaged or old, replacing it as soon as possible is essential.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent a faulty switchboard and keep your home safe.

Here are some additional tips to help you prevent a faulty switchboard:

• Use surge protectors on all of your electrical appliances. Surge protectors can help protect your devices from power surges, damaging them and overloading your switchboard.
• Avoid using extension cords. Extension cords can cause a fire if they are overloaded. If you need an extension cord, ensure it is in good condition and not overloaded.
• Be careful when using power tools. They can draw a lot of power, so be careful not to overload your switchboard.
• Have your switchboard inspected by a qualified electrician after any significant electrical work. This will help ensure that your switchboard can handle the increased load.

Protect Your Home And Family

Switchboards are vital for power distribution and the overall safety of your house. Components like electrical circuit breakers, safety switches, or fuses built into these boards help prevent overloading and causing major mishaps like electrical or fire hazards. That’s why routine checkups of faulty switchboards are essential to avoid an electrical fault or electrical fires. So, if you suspect faulty wiring or electrical panels, it’s always best to leave them to professionals.

We hope you can learn about switchboards and what faulty ones can do. So, as a word of advice, always speak to a qualified electrician about your switchboard. If you need a licensed electrician in Sydney, don’t look further than Bright Force Electrical. If you need an emergency electrician, you can contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For switchboard replacement and repair - we are your trusted electricians.

Till then, stay safe!