Much of Benoni's housing is decades old, and electrical installations age too. Additions, DIY changes and modern loads (air fryers, heaters, inverters) put pressure on wiring that was never designed for them. Use this checklist to spot problems early.
Warning signs
- Old fuses (wire or screw-in fuses) instead of circuit breakers in the distribution board.
- No earth leakage unit, or one that never trips when you press its test button.
- Plug points or switches that are warm, discoloured or loose.
- Lights flickering when appliances switch on. See lights flickering: causes.
- Two-pin plugs or adaptors on adaptors to run everyday appliances.
- Rubber- or cloth-insulated wiring visible in the roof or at old fittings. It becomes brittle with age.
- Burnt smells, buzzing, or breakers that trip often.
What an electrician checks
An inspection, which is also what happens for an electrical Certificate of Compliance, typically covers:
- The distribution board: breakers sized correctly, earth leakage working, labelling, signs of heat.
- Earthing and bonding, including metal water pipes and the geyser.
- Insulation resistance of the circuits, which shows wiring breaking down.
- Plug points, switches and light fittings for damage and correct wiring.
- Outside circuits: garden lights, pool pumps, gate motors and borehole pumps, where water gets in.
Common upgrades
- DB board upgrade with modern breakers, earth leakage and surge protection. See DB board upgrades and lightning and surge protection.
- Extra circuits for the kitchen and heavy appliances, so circuits aren't overloaded.
- Rewiring sections with old insulation, sometimes room by room.
Buying or selling an older home
The seller normally provides an electrical CoC, and older homes often need repairs before one can be issued. Get the inspection done early so repairs don't delay the transfer. Compare electrician prices in Benoni.