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it’s something you can’t see, but it’s a necessity, which is why we need to look after it and take the right level of precaution. And with the world going more electric, this also brings new challenges that we need to be aware of,” adds Toby.

A passion through generations

Toby considers himself a handson person and is always busy finding new things he can fix and build, or something exciting he can tackle.

“I’ve always had an interest in electronics and everything electrical – my dad played a big part in that. He was also an electrician and qualified electrical inspector, and very handy at doing things around the house. Growing up I would always help him on his house projects and learned a lot from him.

faults could be detected ahead of time.

“Switchboards can be a common cause of electrical fire. These are the central point for electrical loads and a place where cables and electrical equipment are concentrated.

“Once switchboards are installed, people may 'set and forget’ and don’t think about them until they stop working. A lot of customers aren’t getting regular electrical maintenance done, when in fact this is critical.”

Experiencing a fire can be a significant disruption for a business. They might not be able to operate for an extended period of time, not to mention loss of revenue and the impacts to their staff. This is where a proactive approach can make a difference.

“Generally speaking, doing electrical maintenance at least every two years minimum is key. Some businesses, especially those linked to the woodworking industry, are at higher risk, so the more often professional maintenance is done, the better.

“Electricity can be dangerous as

“I love doing things on my own and spending time in my garage. I work on my own cars and do all the maintenance. I have a Subaru WRX and I take it to the track every now and then for fun. I also repair my kids’ toys and I’ve just finished building our deck.”

And when the opportunity comes to pass on his wisdom, Toby is happy to become a teacher.

“I have two girls, Brooke (six) and Natalie (nearly four). Brooke has been showing interest in the things I do and loves helping me in the garage. She likes building and fixing things too – this passion hasn’t skipped a generation, and it makes me so happy to be able to show her what I do.”

Aside from this passion, Toby has been playing football since he was five and is currently part of a winter and summer league in Christchurch.

“Brooke will be starting football this year and that brings another smile to my face.”

2023 is set out to be an exciting year for Toby’s passions both at work and at home. Keep an eye out for useful resources coming from NZI’s team of electrical experts later this month.