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What would we do without consumer mains? You may ask, "How do you know when to upgrade your consumer mains?" Welcome to the world of consumer mains. This guide to upgrading consumer mains in Sydney answers your questions about the cables that power your switchboard and your building.
You will also learn when to upgrade your consumer mains when to get your switchboard upgraded, and why you should upgrade old consumer mains. There's also a description of the functions of sizes of consumer main cables, services of level 2 electricians, and factors affecting electrical switchboard upgrade costs. Let's dive in!
Consumer Mains Power Supply Explained
Consumer mains are supply cables that power your building and your electrical switchboard. Consumer mains provide power from the power grid to your home or office. You can usually find them on the main switchboard. The mains cables connect your switchboard to points of entry in your home.
The process begins with mains power distribution from overhead street supply, through consumer mains, and down to your switchboard. The power is distributed to your home's circuits, power points, and light switches afterwards.
When to Upgrade Your Consumers Mains
If your house is over ten years old, there's a chance that it has a 6mm cable power supply. Such cables can only handle up to about 40A. Add this to the probable high amount of current that your air conditioners, cooking appliances, water heaters, pool pumps, dryers, and other appliances pull, and you have a home electricity supply system that deals with a lot of power.
These two factors can combine to increase your need to upgrade your consumers' mains. Other factors that can clue you in on the need to invite a friendly team to get your consumer mains upgraded include the following:
- Old switchboards with rewireable fuses
- The mains switches have only 40 amps – which is too low.
- Old meter boxes that are too small.
When to Get Your Switchboard Upgraded
You can look out for the following signs to know if you need to have your switchboard upgraded:
Small sized switchboards
Switchboards that are too small to provide enough room for dedicated circuit installs. This may be the case if you need to set up air conditioner circuits.
Lack of safety switches
You need safety switches on all power and light circuits to protect you and your home from electrical fires, shocks, or injuries. Your electrical switchboard should not also lack safety switches. You should promptly invite a licensed electrician for a consumer main upgrading service for improved safety.
Meeting government requirements
You may need to upgrade old switchboards with new ones that use RCDs (residual current devices) to meet NSW Government requirements. This is because RCD switches offer better safety and resistance. Likewise, you now have to upgrade your switchboard to add power points or power point outlets to your Sydney home.
Flickering lights and tripping circuit breakers
Underlying issues with your switchboard may lead to lights flickering. Also, older or overloaded switchboard models may use flickering lights to signal difficulty coping with the power demand. Similarly, frequently tripping circuit breakers or blown fuses indicate that your switchboard needs upgrading.
Ceramic fuses
Old and outdated electrical switchboards with porcelain fuses do not meet Australian safety standards. Electrical switchboards with ceramic fuses need to be upgraded.
Why Upgrade Old Consumer Mains?
- You must understand that older consumer mains systems were built for the power consumption needs of their periods. As such, they may not meet the power consumption demands of today's world.
- Consequently, the consumer cables may suffer from overloads and overheating. This can, in turn, lead to the following dangers of old consumer mains:
- When touched, exposed wiring or overly large amounts of voltage in older cables can cause electrocution.
- Old and worn-out cables can spark, especially when they receive too much voltage. This increases the chances of electrical fires and poses fire hazards.
- Overworked older consumer mains cables can lead to power outages. The electrical demand for electrical appliances also causes this.
- Ultimately, upgrading your switchboard or mains power provides a consistent and reliable power supply. You do not have to worry so much about short circuits and electrical overloads.
- In addition, new switchboards are energy-saving and require less energy from the grid. This translates into reduced energy bills.
Types of Consumer Main Electricity Supply
Here are some consumer main sizes that you should know:
6mm cables
Older residential buildings may have consumer mains that range from 6mm to 16mm. The problem with such smaller cables is that they may not be able to handle the needed amount of power and voltage. This is because the rating of 6mm cables is 40 amps, which is too small for today's electrical demand; as such, too much power runs through the electricity system.
16mm and above cables
Commercial buildings and other larger buildings today have main cables that are 16-25mm with a rating of 60-80 amps.
Vir cables
Older homes are also more likely to have VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) installed. Such outdated wires usually have a decreased lifespan and can cause severe electrical issues.
This includes electrical fires and short circuits. In addition, the electrically conductive nature of split steel conduits associated with VIR cables can pose more threats. It is essential to check for and replace such risky installations.
XLPE cabling
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) cabling is your modern consumer mains solution. This is because they are safe and appropriate for residential buildings. The minimum size is 16mm, and it comes with stronger insulation.
Services of Level 2 Electricians
You need an experienced and licensed Level 2 Electrician to legally install, repair, or work on cables and consumer mains connections. These electricians have the skills, training, and certification required to work safely and legally on consumer mains.
You can call on Level 2 electricians for many electrical services, including the installation of smart meters and the replacement of asbestos panels.
Here are other services that you may expect from Level 2 Electricians.
Electrical defect notices
Your electrical company may issue you an electrical defect notice to remove old consumer mains. This is due to the danger that such consumer mains pose. Ausgrid, Essential Energy, or Endeavour Energy can deliver this electrical notice to inform you that your building needs new consumer mains. Your best option is to hire a Level 2 Electrician to upgrade or install new consumer mains.
Emergency electrician services
Licensed and insured power outage electricians can not only perform emergency electrical repairs and fault finding for your home or business. They can also perform on-the-spot safety inspections. Other examples of emergency electrical services include switchboard installations, switchboard repairs, and temporary power solutions.
New Switch installs and electrical upgrades
Qualified Sydney electricians can help you with switch installs and upgrades if your electrical system cannot cope with your current load. This way, you would not have to deal with frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blown fuses.
For example, they can upgrade your switchboard if you have installed a new home EV charging system. They may also recommend complete electrical wiring and fuse box upgrades to meet your current electricity usage needs.
Work on underground and overhead service lines
Level 2 electricians are trained to lay underground electrical and overhead service lines properly. Apart from working on overhead power poles, they can install your private ones.
Customised electrical solutions
Your level 2 electrician can provide personalised services such as Hot water system installation, Tesla wall battery installation, EV charger installation, and installation of your vehicles' chargers.
Similarly, Sydney electricians can perform data cable and phone line repairs, EV charger installations, CCTV installations, and new exhaust fans installed.
General electrician services such as ceiling fan installs
Apart from performing energy meter repairs, consumer mains upgrades, and full electrical switchboard upgrades, Level 2 electricians can help with general electrical services. This includes Ceiling fan installations, surge protection services, LED lighting installations, oven installations, smoke alarm installations, and much more.
Factors Affecting Switchboard Upgrade Costs
The cost of your electrical switchboard upgrade can depend on the number of circuits, the number of RCD connections, and associated electrical component upgrades.
An approximate estimate of the cost of this upgrade is from $900 to $1300. You may also need to pay extra for service disconnections, Level 2 electrician work, replacement asbestos panels, consumer main upgrades, or metering work.
Whatever the overall cost, you can solicit long-term benefits such as reduced electricity bills. After all, phase switchboard upgrades and new switchboard installations help to make your household energy consumption more efficient and energy-saving.
Local Electrical Contractors Can Help
This guide to upgrading consumer mains in Sydney has discussed consumer mains power, when to upgrade your consumers' mains, and the services of level 2 electricians. Inviting a Level 2 ASP (Authorised Service Provider) licensed electrician to install or upgrade consumer mains is best. You also need them for electrical switchboard upgrades. A local electrical contractor can provide electrician services to meet your electrical needs.
