Signs Your Switchboard Needs Upgrading

If your switchboard has old ceramic fuses, no safety switches, trips constantly, runs warm, or ever gives off a burning smell — it needs looking at, and probably a switchboard upgrade. Your switchboard is the heart of your electrical system, and an old or overloaded one is one of the most common causes of electrical fires and shocks in Australian buildings.

Here’s what to watch for.

The warning signs

• Ceramic (rewireable) fuses. If you open the board and see white porcelain fuse holders with a bit of fuse wire inside, your board is likely 40+ years old and only protects against overload — not electric shock.
• No safety switches. Current wiring rules require safety switches on new and modified circuits. If you’ve got breakers but no RCDs, people aren’t protected from shock.
• Frequent tripping. An occasional trip is fine — that’s protection working. Constant tripping means the board is struggling or there’s a fault.
• Flickering or dimming lights when big equipment kicks in — a sign the board can’t keep up with the load.
• A warm board, buzzing or crackling, scorch marks, or a burning plastic smell. These are urgent. Don’t wait.

The asbestos factor

If your building is from before the mid-1980s, there’s a good chance the board is mounted on an asbestos-cement backing panel (you’ll sometimes see trade names like Zelemite or Lebah). It’s harmless while it’s left alone — but the moment it’s drilled or cut, it releases fibres. That means it has to be removed and disposed of under controlled conditions by someone licensed to do it. It adds a bit of time and cost to an upgrade, but there’s no cutting corners on it.

Adding solar, EV charging or more equipment?

This is a big one for growing businesses. If your board is already full with no spare slots, or it’s got old fuses that can’t safely connect to modern inverters or chargers, it has to be brought up to standard first. Doing the board at the same time as the new install usually works out cheaper than two separate visits — and it’s the same moment to sort out surge protection if you haven’t already.

Can I just DIY it or get a handyman?

No — switchboard work is licensed electrical work. Doing it yourself is illegal, genuinely dangerous, voids your insurance, and can’t be certified. What you can do is get a licensed electrician to assess it and quote it properly.