My neighbor Ross had this old switchboard in his garage that looked like it was from the 1960s. One morning he goes to turn on his heat pump and the whole thing just trips. Keeps happening every time he tries to use more than a couple things at once. Turns out his panel was so old it couldnt handle modern appliances. The breakers were worn out and the whole board needed replacing before something serious happened.
Thats pretty common round Christchurch actually. Heaps of homes still have electrical panels that are way past there use-by date. People dont really think about them cuz there usually tucked away in a garage or laundry. But your switchboard is like the heart of your homes electrical system. When its not workin properly everything else suffers.
If your breakers keep trippin or your lights dim when you turn on the dryer or you smell burning near your panel - those are signs you need to get it checked. Not the kind of thing you wanna ignore and hope it goes away.
Why Electrical Panels Need Upgrading
Houses built before the 90s usually dont have enough capacity for how we live now. Back then people had what - a TV a fridge maybe a washing machine? Now everyones got multiple computers heat pumps dishwashers electric car chargers. Your old panel just wasnt designed for that kind of load.
The other issue is safety. Old panels used fuses instead of circuit breakers. When somethin went wrong youd have to replace the fuse. Problem is people would sometimes put in the wrong size fuse or even a piece of wire just to get the power back on. Really dangerous. Circuit breakers are way safer cuz they automatically shut off when theres too much current.
In suburbs like Papanui and Riccarton we see alot of homes with panels from the 70s and 80s. The connections get loose over time the breakers wear out and corrosion starts buildin up. Then you get arcing and heat which can start fires. Had a job in Fendalton where the main breaker was so corroded it was basically stuck on - wouldnt trip even if there was a fault.
Signs Your Switchboard Needs Replacement
Heres what to look out for. If your breakers trip all the time thats your panel telling you somethings wrong. Could be overloaded circuits could be faulty breakers could be damaged wiring. Either way it needs sorting.
Another sign is if you cant plug in new appliances without overloading the system. Like you wanna run your heat pump and your oven at the same time but it trips. Means you dont have enough circuits or the circuits arent rated high enough.
Burn marks or a burning smell round your panel is really serious. That means theres heat buildup from poor connections. Stop using that circuit straight away and call us. Same goes if you see rust or water damage on the panel. Water and electricity dont mix and corrosion messes up the connections.
If your panel still has old ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers then yeah it definately needs upgrading. Those things are from like 50 years ago. Not safe by todays standards.
What Happens During a Panel Upgrade
First thing we do is come out and look at your existing setup. Check what size your main service is how many circuits you got whats the condition of the wiring. Then we work out what you actually need based on how you use your home.
Most homes these days need at least a 200 amp service. Older homes might only have 60 or 100 amps which isnt enough anymore. We also add more circuits so different parts of your home are on separate breakers. Kitchen should be on its own circuit heat pump on its own circuit bedrooms separate from living areas.
The actual installation usually takes a full day sometimes two depending on the job. We gotta shut off your power while were workin so its good to plan ahead. Some people go out for the day or stay with family. We try to get it done as quick as possible tho.
After the new panels installed we test everything make sure all the circuits are working proper and that the safety switches trip when they should. Then we get it signed off and you get your certificate of compliance.
Residential Panel Upgrades
For houses we mostly install modern consumer units with RCDs (residual current devices) and MCBs (miniature circuit breakers). The RCDs are safety switches that detect current leaks and shut off the power in milliseconds. Can literally save your life if you touch something live.
We also make sure theres room for expansion. Maybe you dont have solar panels or an EV charger now but you might want them later. Better to have spare capacity in the panel than have to upgrade it again in a few years.
Lots of villas and older homes in Sydenham and Addington need complete rewires when we do the panel upgrade cuz the wiring is shot. If were openin up walls anyway it makes sense to fix everything at once rather than do it in bits.
New builds are different cuz were startin from scratch. We design the whole electrical system to meet the building code and plan for future needs. Put in bigger panels with more circuits and make sure everythings labeled properly so its easy to work on down the track.
Commercial Electrical Panel Services
Commercial panels are a different beast. Shops restaurants offices - they all use way more power than homes. Three-phase power bigger switchboards heaps more circuits. And if the powers out the buisness isnt makin money so we gotta work fast.
Did a panel upgrade for a cafe in town couple months back. They kept blowin breakers durin busy times cuz the espresso machine the ovens and the fridges were all on the same circuit. We split everything up gave them a bigger panel and added surge protection. Now they can run everythin without worryin.
Industrial setups are even more complicated. Big machinery running off 3-phase power need proper protection and control systems. We do that stuff too but its specialized work that needs extra qualifications.
Heat Pump Electrical Requirements
Heat pumps pull alot of amps especially the big ones. Most need a dedicated 20 or 30 amp circuit. If your panel doesnt have the capacity or spare slots then you cant just add one on. Gotta upgrade the panel first.
See this all the time in older homes round Halswell and Wigram. People buy a heat pump then find out there panel cant handle it. The installer says sorry mate you need an upgraded switchboard. Then they call us.
Its not just about the amps either. Modern heat pumps have inverter technology which can cause issues with old wiring and panels. They need clean stable power or they dont work properly. Upgrading to a modern panel with good quality breakers fixes that.
If your gettin multiple heat pumps - like one for upstairs and one for downstairs - then you definately need to check your panel can cope. Two big units can easily pull 50 amps together. Add in your hot water cylinder your oven and everything else and your old 60 amp service just aint gonna cut it.
New Build Electrical Panel Installation
When your buildin a new house the electrical panel is one of the first things we install. It needs to be in the right spot easy to access but not in the way. Usually goes in the garage or a utility room.
We work with the builder to make sure its positioned where the power company can connect it easy. Gotta think about where the mains coming in from the street and where all the circuits are runnin to.
Modern panels have way better features than old ones. Individual RCDs for different circuits so if one trips it doesnt take out the whole house. LED indicators to show whats on or off. Proper labeling so you know which breaker controls what.
We also install surge protection in new builds. Protects your expensive appliances and electronics from power surges. With how much money people spend on TVs computers smart home gear - surge protection is worth it.
EV Charger Panel Upgrades
Electric cars are gettin more popular and they need proper charging setups at home. A level 2 EV charger pulls between 30 and 50 amps. Thats a massive load and most older panels cant handle it without upgradin.
We had a customer in Merivale who bought a Tesla. Tried to use the standard charger that came with it but it took forever to charge. When he asked about installin a proper wall charger we had to upgrade his whole panel cuz it was maxed out.
The good thing is once the panels upgraded you got capacity for other stuff too. Maybe add another heat pump or a hot tub or workshop equipment. Future-proofs your place.
Some power companies offer special EV rates for off-peak charging. But to get that you need a separate meter and sometimes a separate panel just for the EV charger. We can set that up so your takin advantage of cheaper power rates at night.
Safety and Code Compliance
All our panel installations meet New Zealand electrical standards. We use certified equipment install everything accordin to the regs and get it inspected and signed off.
If your sellin your house and the building inspector flags your electrical panel as outdated you might have trouble closin the sale. Buyers dont wanna take on a property with dodgy electrics. Gettin the panel upgraded before you list the house can make it sell faster.
Insurance companies are gettin stricter too. Some wont cover claims if they find out your electrical system wasnt up to code. Not worth the risk.
How Much Does a Panel Upgrade Cost
Price depends on a few things. How big the new panel needs to be how much work is involved whether we need to upgrade the mains cable from the street. Simple swap might be a couple thousand bucks. Full upgrade with new mains service could be five or six grand.
Yeah its not cheap but its way less than repairing fire damage or replacin all your appliances after a power surge fries them. Plus it adds value to your home.
We give you a proper quote upfront so theres no surprises. Break down exactly what your payin for and why. If theres ways to save money without cuttin corners well tell you.
Emergency Panel Repairs
Sometimes panels fail without warning. Breaker wont reset or the whole board just shuts down. Thats an emergency and we come out 24/7 to fix it.
Had a callout in Burnside one night where the main breaker failed and the customer had no power. Managed to rig up a temporary fix to get them through the night then came back next day with a new panel.
If you smell burning or see smoke comin from your panel turn off the main switch if you can do it safely then call us straight away. Dont mess around with it yourself cuz you could get electrocuted.
Choosing the Right Panel for Your Home
Theres different brands and models of panels out there. We usually install Hager or Schneider cuz there reliable and parts are easy to get. Some cheaper brands might save you a few bucks now but cause headaches later.
Size matters too. No point puttin in a small panel if your gonna outgrow it in five years. We look at what you got now what you might add later and spec the panel accordingly.
Metal vs plastic enclosures is another thing. Metal is more durable and handles heat better but costs more. For most homes plastic is fine. Commercial and industrial jobs usually need metal.
Why Choose WeDo Electrical for Panel Work
Weve done hundreds of panel upgrades all over Christchurch. From small units in town to big houses out in the hills. Every jobs done properly tested and certified.
We dont rush jobs or cut corners. Your panels the most important part of your electrical system so it needs to be done right. Our sparkies are all qualified and registered and we stand behind our work.
If you need a panel upgrade or your not sure if your current panels up to scratch give us a call. We can come take a look and give you honest advice about what needs doin. No pressure to go ahead if your not ready but at least youll know where you stand.