Switchboard Upgrades
Ceramic fuses, no safety switches, a board that's already full — an old switchboard isn't just inconvenient, it's a safety and insurance risk. We upgrade homes and businesses to a compliant, modern board built for the load.
How do you know if your board needs upgrading?
The clearest signs are old ceramic (rewireable) fuses, no safety switches, breakers that trip often, lights that flicker or dim when big equipment kicks in, a warm board, or any burning smell. If you're adding load — more machinery, aircon, solar or EV charging — an older board often can't handle it safely either.
- Ceramic fuses with fuse wire — a sign part of your protection is 40+ years old
- Missing safety switches (RCDs) on circuits
- Frequent tripping, or breakers that won't stay reset
- Flickering or dimming lights when equipment starts up
- Buzzing, crackling, scorch marks, or a hot switchboard
- A burning plastic smell near the board
Any one of these is a reason to get it inspected — don't wait for it to fail.
Older boards may contain asbestos
If your building's from before the mid-1980s, there's a real chance your switchboard is mounted on an asbestos-cement backing panel — trade names like Zelemite and Lebah. It's harmless while left alone, but drilling or cutting it releases fibres, so it has to be removed under controlled conditions by someone licensed. It adds time and cost, but it isn't optional — and we plan for it up front, not as a surprise mid-job.
Residential & domestic switchboard upgrades
Old ceramic-fuse boards, no safety switches, or a board that can't handle a new split system, EV charger or solar inverter — it's just as common in homes as it is on commercial sites, and the risk is exactly the same. We upgrade residential and domestic switchboards across the Cairns Northern Beaches to the same standard as our commercial work: fixed written quote, compliant board, safety switches on every circuit, and a certificate when it's done.
Single-phase vs three-phase
Single-phase is the standard supply for smaller premises; three-phase brings in three supplies side by side for bigger loads — heavy machinery, large aircon, workshops, fast EV charging. If your equipment is outgrowing single-phase, a three-phase board is wider, needs more protection, and sometimes a supply upgrade coordinated with Ergon. We handle that end to end.
Adding solar, EV charging or more equipment?
Often the board has to be brought up to standard first — a full board with no spare ways, or ceramic fuses that can't safely connect to modern inverters or chargers, won't cut it. Getting the board sorted at the same time as the new install usually works out cheaper than two separate visits.
Curious about the numbers? Try ourmaximum demand calculatororcable size calculator.
What an upgrade involves
- 1
Inspection & quote
We assess the existing board, wiring condition, and whether asbestos or a phase change is involved, then give you a fixed written quote.
- 2
Power-off window
Arranged around your operation — a straightforward swap is usually a few hours; bigger jobs can run a full day.
- 3
Install & certify
New compliant board fitted, circuits re-terminated and labelled, safety switches confirmed on every circuit.
- 4
Handover
Certificate provided, and the board's ready for whatever you're adding next — solar, EV charging, more equipment.
Get a fixed quote on your upgrade.
We inspect on-site, price it properly — circuits, wiring condition, asbestos, phase — and give you a written quote covering scope, materials and timeline. No surprises mid-job.
Related services
Switchboard upgrades — common questions
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
The clearest signs are old ceramic (rewireable) fuses, no safety switches, breakers that trip often, lights that flicker or dim when big equipment kicks in, a warm board, or any burning smell. If you're adding load — more machinery, aircon, solar or EV charging — an older board often can't handle it safely either.
What are the warning signs of an unsafe switchboard?
Ceramic fuses with fuse wire (means part of your protection is 40+ years old), missing safety switches, frequent tripping, flickering or dimming lights, buzzing or crackling, scorch marks, a hot switchboard, or a burning plastic smell. Any one of these is a reason to get it inspected — don't wait for it to fail.
Does my switchboard contain asbestos?
Quite possibly, if the building's from before the mid-1980s. Many older boards are mounted on asbestos-cement backing panels — trade names like Zelemite and Lebah. It's harmless while it's left alone, but the moment it's drilled or cut it releases fibres, so it has to be removed and disposed of under controlled conditions by someone licensed. It adds time and cost, but it's not optional.
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
A straightforward board swap is usually a few hours with the power off for most of it. A bigger job — asbestos removal, a single-to-three-phase upgrade, or re-terminating old supply cables — can run a full day or more. We give you a realistic timeframe and arrange the power-off window around your operation.
How much does a switchboard upgrade cost?
It varies too much to quote sight-unseen — the price is driven by the number of circuits, the condition of the existing wiring, whether asbestos is involved, and whether you're changing phases or capacity. That's why any honest sparky quotes it after a site inspection. We'll give you a fixed written quote covering scope, materials and timeline.
Can I upgrade my switchboard myself?
No — switchboard work is licensed electrical work in Australia, and doing it yourself is both illegal and genuinely dangerous. It also voids your insurance and can't be certified. What you can do is book a licensed electrician to assess it and give you a compliant quote.
Do I need to upgrade my switchboard before adding solar, EV charging or more equipment?
Often, yes. If your board is already full with no spare ways, or it's got ceramic fuses that can't safely connect to modern inverters or chargers, it has to be brought up to standard first. Getting the board sorted at the same time as the new install usually works out cheaper than two separate visits.
What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase?
Single-phase is the standard supply for smaller premises; three-phase brings in three supplies side by side for bigger loads — heavy machinery, large aircon, workshops, fast EV charging. If your equipment is outgrowing single-phase, a three-phase board is wider, needs more protection, and sometimes a supply upgrade coordinated with Ergon. We handle that end to end.
Get your switchboard assessed
Switchboard work is priced after a site visit — no online estimate. Send us a few photos and your suburb and we'll get you booked in.
- Fixed written quote after a site inspection — no online estimate
- Booked in as soon as we can fit you in
- Certificate provided on completion
Three things I put in writing
Every quote you get from an electrician looks the same from the outside. Here's what's different about this one — and none of it depends on anyone but me.
The Fixed Price Promise
The price quoted is the price you pay.
I open the board and go through it properly before quoting, so the price covers everything inside it — nothing gets discovered on the day. If something outside the board needs doing, like your supply, meter box or wiring beyond it, that's identified and priced separately up front. You're never billed for something you didn't agree to first.
The On-Time Promise
Inside the booked window, or $50 off the job.
You get a booked window, not a vague day. If I'm not there inside it, I take $50 off the job. No excuses and nothing for you to chase.
Lifetime Workmanship Warranty
If it fails because of how I fitted it, I fix it free.
Every install is backed for as long as you own the place. If something I fitted fails because of the workmanship — not a storm event, not a manufacturer fault — I come back and make it right at no charge.