Why switchboards get upgraded
Most of the switchboard work we do comes down to one of a few triggers. The board is full and there's nowhere to add a circuit for a new oven, air conditioner or EV charger. The house still has old ceramic fuses that have to be rewired by hand when they blow. There are no safety switches (RCDs) protecting the power and lighting circuits. Or a nuisance trip keeps happening and the old board can't tell you why.
What's actually involved
A switchboard upgrade means stripping out the old board and installing a modern enclosure with circuit breakers and RCDs on every circuit, properly labelled. Depending on the age of the property we may also need to replace the mains and the main earth, which is common in older Melbourne homes where the incoming cable is undersized for modern loads. Most residential upgrades are done in a day, though the power will be off for a good part of it.
Older homes and what turns up
Melbourne's inner west and bayside suburbs are full of period homes with wiring that's been added to piecemeal over decades. Behind an old board we regularly find rubber-insulated cable that's gone brittle, circuits with no earth at all, and boards mounted on asbestos backing. None of it is a disaster, but it does mean an honest quote requires actually looking at the board rather than guessing over the phone.
Safety switches are not optional any more
A safety switch cuts the power in around 30 milliseconds when it detects current leaking to earth — which is what happens when someone's about to be electrocuted. Circuit breakers protect the wiring; RCDs protect the person. In Victoria, RCDs are required on new and altered circuits, and there's a strong argument for having them across the board on any home with kids, a pool, or a workshop.
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How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
Most residential switchboard upgrades are completed within a day, though your power will be off for a significant part of it. If the mains and main earth need replacing too, or if asbestos is involved, it can run longer. We'll tell you exactly what's involved before we start.
Do I need to upgrade my switchboard for an EV charger?
Often, yes. An EV charger needs its own dedicated circuit, and many older boards simply have no space left, or lack the capacity to run one safely alongside everything else. We'll check your board before quoting the charger.
Will my power be off?
Yes, for a good part of the day. We'll agree a time that suits you and we work to get you back on as quickly as we safely can.
What if there's asbestos behind my board?
It's common in older Melbourne homes. It has to be handled correctly and it does affect the price and timeline. We'll identify it during the quote rather than surprising you with it on the day.