Switchboard Upgrade Melbourne
Professional switchboard upgrade is essential for safety and efficiency in your home
Electrical switchboard upgrades from $909 (inc. GST).
Call now for a quote: 1800 851 129
Upgrading a switchboard is a critical step in maintaining a safe and efficient electrical system.
As your household’s energy demands grow, older switchboards often struggle to keep up. This may lead to safety hazards like electrical faults or fire risks.
Our experienced team of switchboard electricians specialise in providing expert upgrades, replacements, and installations tailored to modern safety standards.
Our friendly team is just a phone call away, so get in touch now for expert advice, further information, or to request a free quote.
Our switchboard services
Switchboard upgrades
Upgrade your switchboard to meet modern safety standards and handle increased electrical demands.
Our expert team enhances your system’s capacity while ensuring compliance with current regulations, protecting your home and family.
Switchboard replacement
Replace your outdated or faulty switchboard with a modern, safe, and fully compliant system.
Our expert team provides reliable switchboard replacements, giving you peace of mind with improved protection and compliance.
Switchboard installation
Need a switchboard installed for a new build or renovation?
Our skilled electricians deliver seamless installations that integrate safely and comply with all modern regulations, ensuring long-term reliability.
Switchboard FAQ
When should I replace my fuse box?
We think it's fantastic that you want to educate yourself to understand if and when your fuse box may need to be replaced!
The best course of action is to consult a qualified electrician who stays current with all regulations. They can provide expert advice that ensures your switchboard meets legal standards and, most importantly, keeps your home safe.
Electrical regulations set the minimum safety standards. A good electrician will address any concerns about your switchboard’s condition and compliance.
Does my switchboard have to have an RCD (safety switch) installed?
Yes - it’s a legal requirement for all houses in Australia to have a RCD (Safety Switch) installed.
Any home that does not have an RCD (Safety Switch) does not have any protection against electrocution. You can recognise a RCD (Safety Switch) by the presence of a test button.
Are old fuse boxes dangerous?
Old switchboard fuse boxes are commonly only protected only by federal style ceramic fuses.
These fuses are no longer legal for modern installations, and are required to be replaced during any improvement works. Occupants should be trained in fuse replacement & selection of correct fuse wire size.
Risks include incorrect fuse wire usage resulting in no protection and possible contact with live exposed switchboard components.
In addition, these boards did not include RCDs (Safety Switches) and contain no protection for occupants from electrocution.
How much does it cost to upgrade a power box?
Is it time for an electrical switchboard upgrade?
Advancements in electrical safety have saved thousands of lives to date and continue to do so. Your switchboard is the central control hub for all electrical systems in your home. You need to trust that it will protect you when an appliance fails or an unexpected incident occurs.
While it’s wise to be cautious around electricity, its invisible and silent nature often means accidents and fatalities happen without warning.
Since 1991, Australia has progressively raised the minimum requirements for RCDs (Safety Switches) to better safeguard against electrocution. Today, no residential switchboard should have circuits that are not protected by an RCD.
If your switchboard has circuits that are unprotected by an RCD, your electrician will recommend an upgrade to ensure your home meets current safety standards.
Note: No electrical work can be carried out on an individual circuit without upgrading that circuit to RCD (Safety Switch) protection. While legislation mandates the installation of RCDs, budget constraints may allow for a temporary solution, such as installing a single RCD on one circuit.
Although this can be a short-term fix, it’s labour-intensive, and the costs can quickly add up as further work on other circuits will require similar upgrades.
Further reading
The history of the switchboard
From a few basic fuses in the late 1800s to the now-prohibited ceramic fuses, switchboards have evolved significantly to meet modern safety standards.
While older models served their purpose, they are now considered a risk due to their inability to handle today’s electrical loads and lack of essential safety features.
1882: switchboard protection is nothing more than a few fuses
These fuses were a small calibrated piece of wire designed to burn out when the capacity of a given circuit's wiring was exceeded and prevent fire.
While ingenious in the late 1880s, replacing fuses involved dealing with live electrical components and required knowledge of a given circuit’s capacity and the installation of a matching fuse wire. A wrongly matched fuse surpasses any protection offered by a switchboard.
1924: the miniature circuit breaker is invented
If a circuit trips due to overload it is now simply a matter of switching the breaker back on (assuming the issue was no longer present). This is also later adapted into a plug-in style circuit breaker used heavily in “Federal” style switchboards in Australia.
You may be surprised to know the switchboard pictured here is protected by miniature circuit breakers and has thus far alluded to a switchboard upgrade – it is not capable of protecting occupants from electrocution.
1960: the invention of the first safety switch
This is the first device that seeks to protect individuals from electrocution. Modern safety switches look very similar to Miniature Circuit Breakers, the test button however gives them away. See also: how RCDs (Safety Switches) work.
1991: mandatory RCDs for all powerpoints
A legislative effort is made to protect Australians from the electricity inside all handheld appliances. RCD (Safety Switches) are made mandatory in Australia for all circuits that contain powerpoints.
2000: the law passed on Powerpoints is expanded to lights
Lights also are also regularly handled by Australians changing light globes. RCD (Safety Switches) are made mandatory in Australia for all lighting circuits.
2019: mandatory safety switch legislation
With the mass production of RCDs over 20 years, prices have dropped dramatically. The legislation for Safety Switches is expanded and made mandatory in Australia for all circuits in a domestic home.
