23/01/2026
⚡ Most older homes only have ONE old safety switch protecting multiple power circuits (and sometimes lighting too).
That means if it trips, everything goes out — power, lights, the lot.
Modern switchboards do it properly 👇
Each final sub-circuit is protected by its own individual safety switch (RCBO).
So if there’s a fault, you only lose that one circuit, not the whole house.
🚫 Common misconception:
Circuit breakers do NOT protect people.
They only protect the cable from overload and short circuit.
✅ The safety switch (RCD) is the only thing protecting people from electric shock.
That’s why current standards require ALL final sub-circuits to be on safety switches —
Power, lighting, air-conditioning, ovens, cooktops… everything.
Old safety switches can’t be “fixed”.
They need to be upgraded.
If your switchboard looks like this, it’s probably time ⚡
