Likely causes
- Original switchboard from a pre-1990 home, never upgraded
- Ceramic fuses or rewireable fuses instead of modern circuit breakers
- No RCD safety switches (legally required in QLD)
- Loose terminals causing arcing and heat damage
- Asbestos backing board behind the switchboard (common pre-1990)
What to do
- Take a photo of your switchboard and send it to us — we’ll give you an honest read
- Don’t open the switchboard cover yourself
- If it’s warm to touch, buzzing or you can smell anything burning, switch off the main and call
- For pre-1992 homes, plan an upgrade even if there’s no immediate fault