Still Rocking an Old Switchboard? Here’s Why That’s a Big Problem

Picture this: you’re relaxing at home when suddenly, the lights flicker. Maybe your heater cuts out, or your appliances start acting up. You chalk it up to “just one of those things,” but it keeps happening.

The culprit? It could be your old switchboard.

Many Kiwi homes — especially older ones — still rely on outdated switchboards that were never designed to handle today’s power demands. Back then, a few lights and a fridge were all a household needed. Now we’ve got heat pumps, ovens, washing machines, chargers, and work-from-home setups all pulling power at once.

If your switchboard is more than 25 years old or still uses ceramic fuses, you could be sitting on a serious safety risk. These systems lack the capacity and protection features needed for modern life. They might not trip when they should — or worse, not trip at all. That can lead to overheating, melted wires, or in extreme cases, electrical fires.

Warning Signs of an Old or Unsafe Switchboard

• Lights dim or flicker when you turn on appliances

• Burning plastic smells near the switchboard

• Circuit breakers trip frequently without reason

• Switchboard looks rusty, overloaded, or confusing

  
  

Even if everything seems “fine,” don’t wait for something to go wrong. A pre-emptive check by a qualified electrician can catch issues early, give you peace of mind, and protect your family and property.

At Rankin McManus, we’ve upgraded hundreds of homes across New Zealand. We make the process simple, safe, and stress-free. Our licensed electricians can assess your setup, recommend upgrades, and install modern circuit protection to keep your home safe and compliant.

👉 Don’t leave your safety to chance. Book a free consultation with our trusted team today.

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