SWITCHBOARD UPGRADES
MELTON & EYNESBURY
Your switchboard is the heart of your home's electrical system. Older boards with ceramic fuses and no safety switches simply don't protect you the way a modern board does, and they struggle with the demands of today's appliances, solar and EV chargers.
A switchboard upgrade is one of the most worthwhile electrical investments you can make: better safety, fewer nuisance trips, and a board that's ready for whatever you add next.
Licensed Electrician for Switchboard Upgrades in Melton & Eynesbury
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SWITCHBOARD UPGRADE PROCESS
ASSESSMENT & QUOTE
We inspect your existing board, map every circuit and identify any concerns. You get a clear, itemised quote before any work begins, no surprises.
SAFE INSTALLATION
We isolate the supply, remove the old board and install the new panel with RCDs on all circuits. Cables are neatly dressed and every circuit properly labelled.
TEST, CERTIFY & HANDOVER
Every circuit is tested under load before we leave. You receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety and a walkthrough of your new board.
WHAT A SWITCHBOARD UPGRADE INVOLVES
A switchboard upgrade is not a like for like swap. The old board comes out, a new enclosure goes in, and every circuit in the house gets re identified, re terminated and tested. On a Melton or Eynesbury home the job usually runs three to five hours, longer if the meter panel has to be reworked or the existing wiring turns out to be in worse condition than the cover suggested. Power is off for most of that time, so it is worth planning the day around it.
CERAMIC FUSES AND NO RCDS
Boards fitted before the mid 1990s often have rewireable ceramic fuses and no residual current protection at all. A fuse protects the cable from overload. It does not protect a person from a shock. That is what an RCD does, and it is the single biggest reason to upgrade an older board.
WHAT THE WIRING RULES REQUIRE
Under AS/NZS 3000 any circuit that is new or altered has to be RCD protected. In practice that means once the board is opened up, the compliant outcome is safety switches across the lot rather than on one or two circuits, and a competent electrician will quote it that way.
ASBESTOS BACKING BOARDS
Plenty of pre 1990 Victorian homes have the board mounted on an asbestos cement sheet. It is safe while undisturbed and a problem the moment somebody drills into it. If we find one, work stops and it gets handled properly rather than cut into.
WHAT GETTING IT WRONG COSTS
Loose terminations are the common failure. A screw that was not torqued properly heats up under load, and heat in a switchboard is how an electrical fire starts. Every termination gets checked, and every circuit tested under load before we hand the board over with its Certificate of Electrical Safety.
NEED SWITCHBOARD UPGRADES?
Tell us about the job and you'll get a straight answer and an honest quote, fast, with no obligation.
SWITCHBOARD UPGRADES FAQs
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
Most domestic upgrades are completed in a day, with the power off for part of it. We'll let you know the plan up front.
Do I really need safety switches?
Yes, RCDs are now required and can be the difference between a trip and a fatal shock. If your board doesn't have them, it's the first thing to fix.
Will I get a compliance certificate?
Yes. You'll receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety confirming the work meets Australian electrical standards.
Can I stay home during the upgrade?
Yes. The power will be off for a portion of the day, usually 3 to 5 hours. We coordinate timing to minimise inconvenience and let you know in advance exactly what to expect.
What brands of switchboard do you use?
We use industry-standard panels from reputable Australian suppliers, Schneider, Clipsal and Hager. We recommend based on your home's needs and future-proofing requirements.
SUBURBS WE SERVICE
Switchboard Upgrades available across Melton, western suburbs and beyond. Free quotes, same tradesman every time.