21/03/2026
If you have been having issues with your power or lights and have been looking for solutions this post may have the answers!
Most nuisance issue’s come from ageing circuit protection (Ceramic fuses and push in circuit breakers). The more serious issues arise when these circuit protection devices fail. Leading potential injury’s and fires.
Attached is a photo of what use to be a junction box in a roof. A circuit protection device had failed, no one noticed because power was still coming through it. This same circuit then developed a dead short, because the circuit protection had failed internally and wouldn’t trip, the normally 10amp rated circuit was carrying a minimum of 50amps which left the entire run of cable devastated with the cable melting causing more shorts, drawing more current and blowing the cable in two physically.
To avoid issues like what was mentioned above and more issues there is 2 solutions.
Get your switchboard tested, this includes testing of circuits and make sure all protection devices work correctly.
The other option, give your switchboard a face lift, get rid of those old ceramic fuses and circuit breakers and get some quality trusted RCBOs installed. RCBOs not only protect the circuit but they also protect you. They will trip on overload but also trip from earth leakage unlike ceramic fuses and circuit breakers. This means if you come in contact with any live parts by some unfortunate means and get shocked, these will trip making more serious injuries preventable.
There is also a new form of RCBO coming out this year that not only does overload and earth leakage protection. But it also does Arc Fault Detection. This means if it picks up on any arcing in the circuit (the crackle noise you sometimes hear) it will trip preventing fires.
Last year we had a house where a PowerPoint caught fire because a slug got in the back of it and caused arcing and a dead short. Not only was this another case where the circuit protection failed and wouldn’t trip, but it’s a case where if these AFDD (Arc Fault Detection Devices) RCBOs were installed then property damage would not of occurred and potential loss of life would not of occurred.
So keep an eye out for when I post these AFDD come out, and if ether of these options interest you or you want to know more, feel free to contact us on M:0499351999