Switchboard upgrades are performed for a variety of reasons, but the most common instigators are listed below!
When we refer to a switchboard upgrade, this usually involves removing the old fuseboard and installing a new switchboard enclosure. This allows us to install modern safety switches, current limiting main switches and also make room for additional circuits.
TIP: If you see anything relevant in the list below, you may need to upgrade your switchboard or at least make room in your switchboard to fit these electrical installations in!
– EV Charging
– Induction Cooktops
– Air Conditioning
– Backup Generators
Top 5 Reasons Why People Upgrade Their Switchboards:
1) Safety Benefits:
Upgrading your switchboard allows us to install safety switches, which perform a crucial role in protecting occupants and pets from electric shock. These amazing devices have saved thousands of lives, preventing electrocutions of people, pets and specifically children (more prone to putting things where they shouldn’t go, and far easier to succumb to the fatal effects of electric shock due to their smaller size)
Safety Benefits also include installation of current limiting Main Switch devices to prevent you blowing your main fuse, which can cost up to $700 to replace if the Supply Authority charge you for the visit.
We also get the chance to install Surge Diverters to protect all your expensive mod cons inside the home, like TV’s, consoles, cooking appliances and air conditioners from destructive voltage spikes.
2) Regulatory Requirements:
Sometimes you may find yourself having to upgrade your switchboard regardless of whether you wanted to upgrade it! An example would be renovating your home, whereby existing circuits are being altered to suit your new floorplan. Any altered circuits must be upgraded to todays regulatory requirements, meaning it’s more cost effective to upgrade the whole switchboard instead of only the 5 circuits you’re altering during your renovation.
3) Rental Compliance Requirements:
Properties that are occupied by a tenant must now comply with the revised 2021 Rental Tenancies Act. One of the key electrical requirements under the 3019 section 4 regulations is that lighting and power circuits are to be protected by safety switches. This is sometimes not possible, as fuse boards do not allow us to upgrade only the required circuits. So a switchboard upgrade is best performed to ensure safety, longevity, and lack of issues with your 2 Yearly checkups!
4) Fire Damage or Melting:
Sometimes things go wrong! It’s not always a homeowners fault that things haven’t been checked, especially in terms of electrical items – usually the last time it was “checked” was the last time electrical work was done!
We come across melted switchboards caused by switchboard fires quite frequently, and these heat issues usually stem from loose wiring connections overheating and melting the fire retardant components inside the switchboard. If the switchboard has been suitably fire sealed (regulatory requirement) then the fire hopefully burns out before spreading up the wall cavity into the home and ceiling.
A melted switchboard or meter panel is cause for a full upgrade, but given the nature of works it’s usually possible to claim the cost of works on your insurance, so be sure to ask us for a written report to submit to your insurer.
5) Solar Provisions or Making Room:
Sometimes we upgrade switchboards that don’t have anything specifically wrong with them – they’re simply low on space! A standard switchboard has 12 spots in it, which doesn’t take long to fill. A modern home needs at least 24 spots, which is one of the other ‘standard sizes’ available.
TIP: You can choose between 6,8,12,18,24 and 48 pole switchboards. A ‘pole’ refers to a spot for a circuit breaker or safety switch for its associated circuit. We recommend 12 pole or 24 pole because of the added space and future proofing benefits.
A recent job we did in Mooroolbark now has a 24 pole switchboard and meter panel combo installed, because the homeowner was getting solar installed, plus a generator standby setup and an air conditioner! Little things like their RING doorbell can even be powered from the doorbell transformer installed in their switchboard because they have the space to do it!
The cost for performing a switchboard upgrade can vary depending on a few keys points. Your installation may require an earthing electrode to be installed for example, which adds to the cost of works. The more circuits you have, the more your switchboard upgrade will cost. But expect to invest anywhere from $800 to $2,000 into this aspect of your home, assuming you aren’t performing a full meter panel upgrade as well.