Have you ever been told that you need to upgrade your fuse-board? This is a common suggestion from electricians, and there are many reasons that a fuse-board should be upgraded to a new switchboard.

Following are a few tips on when it is really required and not.

A few of the more common reasons for needing a new switchboard are:

• A fuse is blowing when you use more than one or two standard appliances

• Your lights are flickering and you don't know why

• Your fuse-board is too small and doesn't suit the modern appliances in your home

• You want to install safety switches to protect your family

• You want to install a new power point and have been told you don't have enough room on your existing fuse board for the new safety switch

• The existing fuse board has had cabling that has overheated and has burnt out one or more of the fuse holders

• A previous owner has put oversized fuse wire in the fuse holder and has burnt out a wire behind the fuse board panel

• Your about to install solar panels and the installer has asked you to upgrade your fuse board to a new switchboard

• Your home's wiring is quite old, you can't afford a complete rewire but you want the added protection of safety switches and correctly rated circuit breakers

We were recently called out to investigate a fuse that had blown. The home owner (let's call him George) had changed the fuse twice but on the third time every time the home owner put in a new fuse it would keep blowing. George decided to put a larger wire in the fuse holder and voila the power stayed on! Happy in the knowledge that he has got the power back on, George proceeded to turn on the three new electric heaters he had just bought on special at the local electrical goods store. So George was very warm and happy.

This worked for a day or two however then the cabling started to heat up and deteriorate behind the fuse panel. On the third day, the heaters stopped working. George was not happy but thought "I knew these heaters were on special for a reason". After a little further investigation, he has realised there was no power at the power-point. So once again, George went out to the fuse board with his oversized wire to replace the fuse. On arrival he was shocked to find smoke coming out of his fuse board and small licks of flame. Luckily for George, the asbestos in his old fuse board prevented the fire from going any further.

George put in the new fuse but alas, no power.... and after risking life and limb, finally he called an electrician!

The fuse board and the cabling hidden behind that nearly put George's castle on fire is beyond repair. We gave him a quote to replace the fuse board with a new switchboard and have the works inspected by an independent inspector.

George, as would be expected, compared this quote with two others. George used Fuse Electrical to undertake the works, why? We are licensed electricians, cost effective and take pride in our work. You can rest assured that when the works are completed by Fuse Electrical.

Important Note: Although we live so closely to it, we should always remember that electricity is dangerous and can kill even when precautions are taken. Always use a licensed electrician, to help minimise the risks.

Iain Sibbald is a registered electrical contractor and is the proprietor of Fuse Electrical 1300 221 223.

Fuse Electrical, in April of 2011, became accredited as a “Master Electrician” electrician. Master Electrician is a program that accredits experienced electrical contractors who are committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, electrical safety, energy advice, and service integrity.

For you as a valued customer of Fuse Electrical, this means that you can be assured of the highest standard of service and electrical work from us, as always. Additionally, as a Master Electrician, we commit to providing you:

* A 12-month guarantee on all electrical work

* The highest levels of service and safety

* Up-to-date advice on energy efficiency

To become Master Electricians, Fuse Electrical underwent a stringent safety and quality audit. We will also be monitored, including undergoing compulsory annual audits, to ensure that we maintain and uphold the Master Electrician standard.

As a reminder, for your safety and peace of mind, always use an accredited Master Electrician such as Fuse Electrical for electrical work around your home or business. If you would like more information about Master Electrician or to provide some feedback on us, or the program, visit the website at http://www.masterelectricians.com.au/.

Iain Sibbald is the proprietor of Fuse Electrical 0407 816 110, is a registered electrical contractor and a proud Master Electricians member.

Fuse Electrical... my local master electrician 

When was the last time you tested your safety switches? If the answer is ‘never’ or longer than 6 months then read on.

You should test your safety switch for peace of mind. A safety switch is something that needs to be in perfect working order and ready to activate in a split second in your moment of need. As with all mechanical devices, they are prone to failure and require regular testing. This is something you can do yourself, quickly and easily.

The following is a brief description on where to find you safety switches and how to test them. Ideally, this test should be carried out every 3 months. An easy way to remember when to test your safety switches is when you get your electricity bill.

So how do I test my safety switches?

First, you need to find and identify your safety switches. You will find them at your switchboard. Some homes have more than one switchboard, so you should consider whether you have just the one. Once you find your switchboard(s), you will usually be able to identify the safety switches as the ones that have a switch and a button on them.

Click here to see a picture of a safety switch with circuit breakers

Now that you have identified the safety switches, you need to carry out a simple test to ensure they are working. The button on the safety switch is the test button. All you have to do is push the test button – yes, it’s that easy! When the button is pushed the switch should trip (flip from ‘on’ to ‘off’). If you push the button and this does not happen, there is a problem with your safety switch and you should contact an electrician to pay a visit and investigate the issue further. Please note that this will temporarily cut the electricity to your house.

Once you have completed this test on all of your safety switches, you need to turn each safety switch back to the ‘on’ position. Once your home’s power has been restored, you can start to reset your clocks.

For more information on what a modern switchboard should include, click here.

Important Note: Although we live so closely to it, we should always remember that electricity is dangerous and can kill even when precautions are taken. Always use a licensed electrician, to help minimise the risks.

Iain Sibbald is the proprietor of Fuse Electrical 0407 816 110 and is a registered electrical contractor.

With electricity prices having the potential to sky–rocket, Electricians are often asked by their customers how to save on electricity bills without having to fork out on expensive solar installations or major electrical modifications.

Below are a few simple (and cheap!) changes that home owners can make to save money and reduce their carbon footprint:

1. Turn off your appliances at the power-point, not just using the remote control. Turning off a modern TV at the power-point could save you as much as 10kWh per year, if the little light is on, your appliance is using electricity.
2. Another obvious one that many people forget... turn off your lights when you’re not in the room.
3. Replace your lights with energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). With the technology always advancing, modern 15W CFL can be as good - if not better - than the old 60W incandescent bulbs. So pay a little more for good quality lamps; it’s worth it in the long run.
4. Only use your dishwasher or clothes washer when full; this will save you both electricity and water. Don’t let me catch you washing a pair of tights or one t-shirt in the clothes washer!
5. Wash your dishes the old fashioned way and let them dry on the rack. Better still, have one of the family wash and one dry, and take the time to have a chat about your day. Your dishes will be cleaner, too.
6. Instead of using your clothes dryer every time, hang wet clothes out on the line on sunny days. Even if you only hang it out for a short time before tumble drying, you will be saving energy.
7. Turn off your electric hot water service if you are going away on holidays.
8. Turn your electric hot water service thermostat down a few degrees.
9. If you have a fridge/freezer and a freezer, unplug your freezer and only use the fridge/freezer. You will save electricity and your food will be fresher!
10. Make sure your fridge is not positioned in direct sunlight.
11. If you have to run your air-conditioning, set your thermostat to about 26°C. For every 1°C higher the thermostat is set, you can save about %10 on your electricity usage.
12. Find and stop draughts. If you can stop the warm air getting out during winter and coming in during Summer (and vice versa for Winter) this will reduce your air-conditioning energy consumption.
13. When buying your next appliance, ensure you purchase appliances with high star ratings.

There are many more ways that you can reduce your energy consumption, which may cost a bit more in the short-term but may pay you back in spades over the longer-term:

1. Insulating your ceiling or under your floors.
2. Upgrade you old electric hot water service to a solar hot water service.
3. Upgrade electric space heaters to high-efficiency gas ducted heating.
4. Install a photovoltaic system to generate you own electricity.
5. Double glaze your windows or install canopies over your windows to prevent direct sunlight entering the home.

For more energy saving tips, visit these sites:

www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au

www.yourhome.gov.au

www.simplyenergy.com.au

www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

www.energyrating.gov.au

Important Note: Although we live so closely to it, we should always remember that electricity is dangerous and can kill even when precautions are taken. Always use a licensed electrician, to help minimise the risks.

Iain Sibbald is the proprietor of Fuse Electrical 0407 816 110 and is a registered electrical contractor.