Performing an upgrade to your electrical switchboard may be more important than you realise. In 2019 New Zealand reported a 22 percent increase in electrical fires, a high number of which were caused by faulty or old electrical wiring. Electrical switchboards are often the first line of defense against electrical fires, but in many homes, switchboards are instead the culprit.

What causes electrical fires.

Roughly 1000 homes burn down in New Zealand every year due to electrical faults. Many factors may contribute to an electrical fire, however most professionals agree a lack of RCDs (residual current devices) are usually to blame.

Many Auckland homes were built long before electrical switchboards were common practice. These older New Zealand homes use porcelain or wire fuses instead of more advanced RCD circuit breakers. Having to replace a blown fuse allows room for human error. If a fuse with the wrong current rating is installed it may fail to trip when needed. Resulting in overheating, damage to appliances or even fire.

Older switchboards are not capable of powering the more demanding and numerous appliances we use in our modern homes. An electrical switchboard upgrade can protect your home from becoming overloaded, avoiding a fire.

Hall Electrical is here to help.

Hall electrical can help you upgrade your electrical switchboard. Old homes with fuse boxes may need to be completely rewiring to replace the old compound wiring, which is more susceptible to fire.

If your home already has a full electrical switchboard but you are notice any of the following, your switchboard may need an upgrade.

Signs of a faulty electrical switchboard:

• Circuit breakers tripping
• Visible scorch/burn marks on wall sockets or switchboard components
• Burning/fishy smell

Don’t wait until its too late. Protect your home and your family from a domestic house fire through an electrical switchboard upgrade. Call Hall electrical at 0800 422 973 or contact us online for a quote.

Guide to House Wiring Repair and Upgrades 

When was the last time you had your homes wiring checked? If you can’t remember or if you never had them inspected, it’s high time for you to talk to an electrician in NZ. After all, you will never know when the cables or other components of your electrical system will wear out. And, when your wiring turns faulty or outdated, it could mean bad news, regardless of the size, type or age of your home. If you’re not sure what to do with your electrical house wiring our short discussion below may help. 

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When To Do a Wiring Repair or Upgrade

The first thing that would likely come to mind about house wiring repair and upgrades is when you should schedule the job. Are there signs you need to look out for? Here are some examples of situations that call for a professional wiring repair or upgrade:

• You often need to reset the circuit breakers.
• Your household uses plenty of extension cords to power devices.
• When you check the outlet you hear a buzzing sound.
• There’s a weird burnt smell inside the house that doesn’t go away.
• You live in a house that’s been around for more than 30 years.
• The outlets you have in the house aren’t grounded.
• You recently bought an appliance but no longer have free sockets.
• You never had anyone take a look at the wires for more than 5 years.
• There’s a tingling sensation when you touch your electrical appliances.
• Your lighting fixtures constantly dim or flicker even after replacing them with new ones.
• You plan to add an extension to the main structure of your home.
• You need to revamp a space and realize that you need to add in more sockets.
• The electric bills keep on eating up your budget even if you already practice energy saving techniques. 

Most of the time, it’s difficult to spot obvious signs of electrical wiring trouble. That’s why it pays to be extra cautious and vigilant when it comes to doing your regular check ups and observations.

Average Cost of Electrical Wiring Update or Repair in NZ

One of the first things that home homeowners look into before booking in a rewiring or upgrade service is the cost. Many fear they will have to shell out a lot of money to get things done. So will it really cost you an arm and a leg? 

The latest stats on electrical services and repairs shed a light on the approximate costs that you need to include in your planning:

• • Electrical inspections – This can run from anywhere between $250 to $400 depending on the size of your property.

• Replacement or installation of power socket – The average cost is around $150 to $250 but the costs could certainly vary depending on the fees of your chosen electrical services provider.
• Wiring upgrades or repairs – The cost varies from one case to another because no two houses are the same. Also, each household has a different energy requirement and electrical wiring problems. To get the best quote, you may contact us at Hall Electrical Services. We can provide you with a FREE and ACCURATE cost estimate for your project.  

If you want to find the best offers in the market, you will need to shop around. Try comparing the fees and more importantly the reputation of the company. It’s also a good practice to hire a local electrician to eliminate additional costs that might end up blowing your budget. Lastly, go for a company that has top-notch customer service. This way, you’re sure to get the best value from your estimated spending. 

Do NOT Ignore the Warning Signs!  

Often people think that their homes wiring issues don’t seem like a cause for major concern.  However, in truth , the more you delay getting them repaired or replaced and upgraded, the bigger and more pressing problems you might need to face.

Essentially if you have faulty wiring, your entire electrical system also gets messed up. Depending on the damage, it could overload the circuits, which in effect trips the breaker. Your unreliable wiring can also cause your appliances to wear out faster and your monthly electric bills to surge. Unfortunately, the problem goes on unresolved, it could eventually lead to accidents such as fires and even electrocution.

Call a Reliable Electrician in NZ!

The key to avoiding all this of course simply lies in quick detection of the problems and timely repair or upgrades of your home wiring. Again, if you think something’s off with your electrical system, you should have an electrician check things out. 

Whether it stems from obvious wiring defects, a dated wiring system, or a need for additional wiring, you should definitely call in a professional. You should also call in for help in case you need wirings for an additional room in the house, a kitchen revamp, or even installation of new lighting fixtures in your back or front yard. 

Hall Electrical Services is here to lend you a hand with any wiring problem or need. Big or small projects, you can rely on us to provide you with practical and cost-efficient wiring repair or upgrades. Get in touch with us today at 0800 422 973 for more information!

Outdoor motion sensor lights serve a crucial role in deterring criminally-inclined folks from pushing through with their schemes. When activated, the lights can startle burglars and intruders and warn unknowing occupants. Motion sensor lights also come in handy for illuminating outdoor spaces to improve accessibility during the night. Also, they only switch on when needed, so you can minimise your energy consumption, especially if you have a spacious outdoor area. 

However, while motion detector lights are designed to work smoothly, they can fail sometimes.  They also have a limited lifespan. Some models can last up to 100,000 hours, while others may have a shorter lifespan. If you notice anything wrong with your sensor lights, it’s best to call in an expert to lend you a hand.

Common Motion Detector Light Problems

A motion detecting outdoor light is specifically designed to turn on and off when it detects changes in the immediate surroundings. However, if the sensors get dirty or if one or more of its components break, the device will malfunction. A lot of things can go wrong with a motion detector light. Some of the common issues include: 

• Lights that won’t turn on
• Lights that stay on even without motion detected
• Too short or too long light duration
• Sensors that can’t detect movement at all

To fix motion sensor light problems, you must identify what type you use. This will help you test for issues and discuss them with the specialist you will hire. 

Generally, you can find three types of sensor lights in the market. The first type is referred to as active sensors, which actively scan the room to detect changes. It is equipped with sensors designed to detect fluctuations in radio waves, sound waves, and microwave pulses. There are also passive infrared sensors that scan heat, radiation, and infrared changes in a room. You can also shop for dual tech sensors that combine the technologies used in PIR and active sensors.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Light Sensor

Oftentimes, the root cause of a faulty motion detector light is a dirty sensor. Quickly check the sensor and see if they’re grimy or filled with debris. Use a soft and clean rug to tidy up the sensor. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then you will need to manually turn it off and on. By doing so, you can recalibrate the settings and hopefully get it running normally again.  

If the problem persists, try changing the batteries or the bulb. Alternatively, you can contact a technician. This will help you avoid guessing what went wrong and ensure that your light sensor gets fixed or replaced, depending on the situation. 

Choose from a Variety of Outdoor Light Sensors

For lighting fixtures beyond repair, it may be better to have them replaced with a newer and more up-to-date model. It’s the practical option, especially for extremely worn out They come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, perfect if you’re keen on the exterior design of your home. Here are some of the most common brands of light sensors you can find in New Zealand:

• Mercator Lighting
• Telbix
• Martec Lighting
• Domus Lighting
• Eglo Lighting
• Superlux
• Sunny Lighting
• CLA Lighting

Trust a Local Expert to Help you!

Motion sensor lights definitely make a great addition to your home, and they don’t cost that much to install. They’re also quite inexpensive to repair or replace. If you notice issues with your motion sensor lights, feel free to approach a local expert near you. This way, you can get them repaired in no time. In case the fixture is beyond repair, you can consult with a local expert to know which brand and model would best suit as a replacement.