picture a fuse box as the heart of your base, pumping electricity through wires which office your favorite devices and appliances. Whether you ’ ve experienced a office outage or your switchboard has tripped, chances are you would have come into contact with your fuse box. With this in mind, let ’ s unpack all the moving parts .
What is a fuse box?
Known as meter boxes in Australia, a fuse corner is where your family ’ randomness main throw is located, angstrom well as the lap breakers and other wire which distributes power to your home. Fuse boxes are normally found mounted on an outside wall or inside the garage, and will be securely enclosed by a case. Some meter boxes can be locked, while others will have a latch to open.
What’s in a fuse box?
There are three main components found inside a fuse box : the independent switch, switchboard or family circuits and circuit breakers. Each of these populate parts have their own functions and purpose, which we ’ ll go into more detail below .
- Main switch: By flicking the main switch, this enables you to cut all electricity supply to your home or switching on electricity if supply has been tripped.
- Circuit breakers: These protect the fuses from excess electrical currents being distributed to your home by breaking the power supply with a spring-loaded switch.
- Switchboard: The switchboard is essentially the entire component that has the main switch as well as the circuit breakers. It also allows you to turn off electricity supply to certain areas of your home.
What is a switchboard?
besides referred to as a fuse circuit board, switchboards are an essential unit that distribute electricity within the home. A advanced switchboard will normally have a guard throw that protects a family in the event of the switchboard being overloaded with electricity. Think multiple appliances switched on at the same time, like a dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dry .
Keep in mind that your electricity meter is different from your switchboard and may not be located inside your meter box. This is because your electricity meter needs to be accessible to contractors from your energy distributor when the time comes to read your meter .
How much does a switchboard cost to replace?
Replacing a switchboard can cost anywhere from $ 500 to $ 2,000, but will depend on person circumstances, such as size and electric potential capacity. These prices exclude installation costs, so it ’ second best to contact a local qualify electrician for an accurate quotation mark based on your needs .
Compare Energy Prices
If you ’ ve found yourself asking how much it costs to replace a switchboard, you may besides be looking to save on family energy costs. With electricity prices constantly moving, it ’ s important to review your design and see how it stacks up against a bunch of others in market .
here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a radio link to the retailer ’ s web site for far details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison creature for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As constantly, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision .
here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer ’ s web site for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy use of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a individual pace tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a leverage decisiveness .
here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a connection to the retailer ’ s web site for promote details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex net in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate duty. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a leverage decisiveness.
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here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a radio link to the retailer ’ s web site for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power net in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy custom of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any design immediately with the retailer before making a purchase decisiveness .
When does a switchboard need repairs or replacing?
Consider the factors below to determine if your switchboard requires attention .
- Fuses blow or trip when multiple appliances are in use
- Lights continuously flicker
- Fuse box has outdated ceramic fuses
- Circuit breakers trip frequently
- Cabling in switchboard overheat once overloaded
- Household appliances short circuiting
If you ’ re in any doubt, contact a license electrician to inspect your switchboard .
Single Phase vs 3-Phase Power
The standard voltage of electricity entering a residential property is 230 to 240 volts, which is known as individual phase exponent. For boastfully homes with brawny appliances, chances are it ’ ll be connected to 3-phase might ( 400 to 415 volts ). Single phase is connected to a home via an active and neutral cable, while 3-phase uses three active wires and one neutral wire .
Single phase is the most common association to power in australian homes as it has a smaller electric potential capacity which accommodates the average electrical load. 3-phase is more normally found in industrial spaces or commercial businesses where boastfully appliances are in use, such as factory equipment and machinery .
Safety tips around fuse boxes
When dealing with anything electrical, it ’ mho important to constantly follow base hit precautions .
- Have safety switches installed, known as residual current devices (RCDs)
- Never touch damaged, frayed or unplugged wires
- If sparks or fire is visible, stay away from your fuse box and call a professional
- Contact a licensed electrician when repairing, replacing or installing a fuse box, including anything electrical related
If your home is older than 25 years, you ’ ll more than probable need to have your blend box upgraded with circumference breakers. not only will upgrading your meter box protect your home from overloads and shorts, it ’ ll besides protect you or anybody else from electric shocks. Remember, your wellbeing international relations and security network ’ thyroxine worth the gamble .
Is your electricity plan up to scratch?
While it ’ south best to leave the wire in your fuse box to a qualified and accredited electrician, there is one thing you do have control over – your energy provider. If you haven ’ t compared electricity plans in a while, you could be paying excessively a lot for power. Give yourself a break and compare a wide range of energy deals for free below.
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