Top Reasons to Upgrade Your Electrical DB Box in Puchong Today
Did you know that one of the leading causes of house fires in Malaysia is outdated or overloaded electrical systems? In a growing township like Puchong, where many homes were built decades ago, it’s not uncommon to find original DB (Distribution Board) boxes still in use today.
These aging systems are often hidden behind a cupboard or in a corner of the house but what you don’t see can put your safety at risk.
If your home in Puchong was built in the 80s or 90s (or earlier), there’s a good chance your main switchboard (DB) hasn’t been upgraded. Many of these older boxes use plastic covers and outdated protection like old MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) or ELCBs (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers) that may no longer function properly. In some cases, they fail to trip during overloads or short circuits, allowing dangerous current to flow unchecked.
This creates a serious fire hazard one that’s often overlooked until it’s too late.
In our inspections around Puchong, we frequently see homes with only one or two sockets per room. As a result, homeowners rely on multiple extensions, often connecting **5-gang or even.
What Is a DB Box?
A DB box (short for Distribution Box), also called a distribution board, is the central point where electricity is distributed throughout your home. It contains all the key safety components that help protect your electrical system like the Main Switch, SPD (Surge Protection Device), RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) and MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker).
These components work together to make sure your electrical supply is safe, stable and efficient.
For our DB box upgrades in Puchong, we always use metal enclosures, commonly known in Malaysia as metal clad. Why metal? Because they’re more durable, heat-resistant and offer much better fire protection than the old plastic types still found in many homes.
We also only use trusted brands like EPS, Maxguard and Hager brands that are known for their quality, reliability and compliance with current Malaysian electrical safety standards.
Upgrading to a modern DB box is one of the best things you can do to make your home in Puchong safer and future-ready.
1. MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers)
We use C6 MCBs for lights and fans and C16 MCBs for power sockets.
Function: Automatically trips and cuts off power in the event of an overload or short circuit. This helps prevent overheating and electrical fires.
2. RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker)
You might have heard the term ELCB, but that’s actually an older version. Today, RCCBs are the correct and safer option.
We use:
- 40A 30mA RCCB for power sockets
- 40A 100mA RCCB for lighting and fan circuits
Function: Detects any imbalance between live and neutral wires, helping protect you from electric shock.
3. Main Switch
We install a 63A double pole isolator switch as the fuse board.
Function: Lets you manually shut off power to the entire DB box during maintenance or emergencies.
4. Busbars
Busbars are often overlooked but essential.
Function: Distribute electricity from the main switch to each individual MCB.
Material: Usually made of copper for better conductivity and safety.
5. Surge Protection Device (SPD)
This is especially important in areas like Puchong, where lightning strikes and power surges are common.
Function: Protects your home’s electrical system and appliances from sudden voltage spikes caused by lightning or surges.
6. Enclosure (DB Box Casing)
The casing holds everything in place and keeps your family safe.
Function: Provides insulation and protects against dust, water and accidental contact.
Material: We recommend metal enclosures (metal clad) for their superior durability and fire resistance compared to older plastic models.
There are several components from different brands that go into a DB box. We usually use trusted names like EPS, Maxguard, ABB or Hager depending on the customer’s budget.
However, we don’t take on projects with extremely tight budgets. That’s because we won’t compromise on safety or quality. Your family’s protection is always our top priority.
When you use original and high-quality MCBs and RCCBs you can expect them to last and perform reliably for up to 20 years.
We strongly advise against mixing low-grade parts from unknown brands. Doing so turns your DB box into a “rojak” setup that might look fine on the outside but can be dangerous inside. A mismatched system increases the risk of failure and puts your home and loved ones at serious risk.
Old DB Boxes Can’t Handle Today’s Power Needs
Back then it was common for young children to sleep in the same room as their parents. But as kids grow up they move into their own rooms. These rooms are now filled with air conditioners, computers, printers, TVs, iPads, iPhones and even sound systems. All these devices are running at the same time across different rooms which puts a heavy load on the house’s electrical system.
If your DB box hasn’t been upgraded to match this new demand you’re putting your home at risk. Old DB boxes weren’t designed to handle this kind of usage. This can lead to frequent tripping overheating or worse an electrical fire.
Since the MCO more and more people are working from home. Now you have parents working in separate rooms and kids attending online classes or gaming. Picture a home in Puchong with four people each using air conditioning and electrical devices in their own room. That’s a huge power draw happening all at once. An old DB box simply can’t keep up.
Most of these devices are also plugged into extension cords. Sometimes one wall socket is being used to power five or more devices. This setup creates a major overload risk. The wiring can overheat and if the DB box isn’t upgraded it might not trip in time.
And let’s not forget all the modern appliances that many homes now have. Things like autogate systems air fryers juicers cuckoo water purifiers large washing machines ovens and more. These appliances consume a lot of power. When combined with all the other devices already in use they put even more pressure on your old electrical system.
If your home in Puchong still has Its original DB box it’s time to consider an upgrade. Don’t wait until something goes wrong.
Common Problems Homeowners Face with Old DB Boxes
We’ve helped many homeowners in Puchong and across the Klang Valley who were facing issues with old or overloaded DB boxes. As homes get older and families start using more electrical appliances these problems become more common.
12 Common Signs Your DB Box Needs an Upgrade
- House is over 20 to 50 years old
Your DB box is likely outdated and wasn’t made for today’s power-hungry appliances.
- Power trips during lightning or heavy rain
Your electrical panel probably lacks proper surge protection or earth leakage protection.
- DB trips when turning on the air conditioner
This is often caused by overloaded circuits or weak MCBs.
- Washing machine causes power trips
Older DB boxes may struggle to handle high power-draw appliances reliably.
- Kitchen hood, hob or oven trips the DB
This usually happens when kitchen upgrades aren’t matched with proper electrical upgrades.
- Vacuum cleaner trips the power
Sudden surges in load can trigger faulty breakers panel or imbalanced circuits.
- More appliances added over time
As your family grows so do your electrical needs TVs, chargers, air fryers, computers, Cuckoo and more. Older DB boxes were not built for this.
- Messy or tangled wiring inside the DB box
This makes troubleshooting difficult and increases the risk of short circuits or fire.
- No labels or individual MCBs
Without proper labeling and circuit separation fault isolation is harder and more dangerous.
- No ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker)
This greatly increases the risk of electric shock especially in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
- Multiple wires connected to one MCB
Two or more sets of wires on a single MCB is not recommended and may cause overheating or poor contact.
- Burning smell coming from the MCB
This could indicate overheating or a loose connection. If you notice this it’s time to inspect or replace your DB box before it leads to fire.
Ready to Upgrade Your DB Box or Fix Electrical Issues?
If your DB box in Puchong keeps tripping looks outdated can’t support your appliances shows any of the issues mentioned above or has no space to add more power points it’s time to take action.
Whether you need a quick repair or a full upgrade we are based in Puchong and ready to get the job done safely efficiently and professionally.
We also provide a full range of electrical services including earthing solutions electrical troubleshooting new home wiring inspections autogate wiring Megger testing full house wiring and rewiring Lightning Strike Trap (LST) systems lightning and surge protection and earthing system installations.
Call Alex at 012-870 2699 for more information.
