Your switchboard is one of the most important parts of your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity to different circuits and houses devices such as circuit breakers and safety switches that help protect the electrical installation and the people using it.
For many Brisbane homeowners, the electrical demands placed on a property can change quite a bit over the years. A home that once only needed a few circuits may now have air conditioning, extra appliances, renovated rooms, a hot water system or other electrical equipment.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the switchboard needs to be replaced. An older board can still be suitable in some homes. However, damaged components, outdated protection, previous electrical work or changes to the property’s electrical needs may mean an upgrade is worth considering.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your switchboard, the sensible first step is to have it inspected by a licensed electrician.
Why Might Your Switchboard Need an Upgrade?
Age alone isn’t a reason to replace a switchboard. An electrician will look at the overall condition of the board, the protection provided to each circuit and how the electrical system is being used.
An inspection may be worth arranging if you’ve noticed:
- Circuit breakers or safety switches tripping regularly
- Recurring electrical faults
- A burning smell or unusual heat around the switchboard
- Visible damage or deterioration
- Older forms of circuit protection
- Problems when several appliances are running at the same time
- Additional circuits that have been installed over the years
- Plans to add new electrical equipment to the property
Regular tripping is something worth investigating rather than simply resetting the switch and carrying on. The cause could be an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, damaged wiring or another electrical fault. It doesn’t automatically mean the switchboard itself is the problem.
An inspection allows the electrician to work out what is actually happening before recommending any changes.
What Happens During a Switchboard Upgrade?
1. The Electrician Inspects the Existing Board
The job starts with an inspection of the switchboard and the circuits connected to it.
The electrician will look for signs of damage, overheating, deterioration, previous modifications and other issues that may affect the way the installation operates. They’ll also check the existing protective devices and consider whether they are suitable for the circuits they serve. For Brisbane homeowners, a local Brisbane electrician can help identify whether the issue is with the switchboard or another part of the electrical system
It’s worth explaining any problems you’ve been experiencing while they’re there.
For example, tell them if one particular circuit keeps tripping, if the problem happens when a certain appliance is switched on, or if you’ve noticed flickering lights or unexplained power interruptions.
Those details can be useful when identifying whether the problem is related to the board, a particular circuit, the wiring or an appliance.
From there, the electrician can determine whether a repair, partial upgrade or replacement is appropriate.
2. The Recommended Work Is Discussed
Once the inspection is complete, the electrician should explain what they’ve found and what needs to be done.
The solution could be relatively minor, such as replacing a damaged component or improving the protection on a particular circuit. In other cases, the existing switchboard may need to be replaced. JRMT Electrical’s Switchboard Repairs and Upgrades service can help with both repairs and larger switchboard upgrades, depending on what your home needs.
If you’re planning a renovation or installing something such as new air conditioning, an electric hot water system or other high-demand equipment, mention it before the work begins. Future electrical changes can affect what is needed now.
You should also have a clear understanding of the proposed work and cost before the job gets underway.
3. The Electricity Supply Is Safely Isolated
Before work can be carried out, the relevant electrical supply needs to be isolated.
For most homeowners, this is the part of the process they’ll notice most because the electricity will be switched off for at least part of the appointment.
How long the outage lasts depends on the work being done. A straightforward component replacement may take less time than replacing the board and making changes to several circuits.
If you work from home, have a home-based business or rely on equipment that needs constant power, ask the electrician about the expected outage beforehand.
It is also a good idea to save your work and shut down computers and other sensitive equipment before the power is disconnected.
4. The Switchboard Work Is Carried Out
Once the supply has been made safe, the agreed electrical work can begin.
What happens here depends entirely on the condition of the existing installation.
A smaller job may involve replacing a faulty component or adding suitable protection to a circuit. A larger upgrade could involve fitting a new switchboard and making changes to accommodate the property’s existing or planned electrical requirements.
The electrician also needs to consider the circuits connected to the board. Simply replacing the visible components without considering the wider installation isn’t enough.
This is why there isn’t one standard switchboard upgrade that suits every Brisbane home. The right solution depends on the property, the existing wiring, the circuits involved and what the electrical system needs to support.
5. The Work Is Tested
Once the installation work is finished, the electrician will carry out the required electrical testing.
This is an important part of the job. It helps confirm that the work has been completed correctly and that the relevant circuits and protective devices are operating as they should.
If circuits have been altered or new equipment has been connected, additional testing may be required before everything is put back into service.
In Queensland, electrical contractors are also required to provide appropriate documentation for completed electrical work, so keep the paperwork you receive after the job.
6. Your Power Is Switched Back On
After the necessary checks have been completed, the electrical supply can be restored.
The electrician should explain what was changed and point out anything you need to know about the updated switchboard.
This is also a good opportunity to ask questions. If you’re planning further electrical work, ask whether the current setup has enough capacity for those changes or whether anything else should be considered.
Keep the paperwork from the job somewhere safe. It can be useful when another electrician needs to work on the property in the future.
What Are the Benefits of Upgrading a Switchboard?
The main reason for upgrading a switchboard is to make sure the electrical installation has appropriate protection for the way the property is being used.
Replacing damaged or outdated components may improve the protection provided to the circuits and bring the board into line with the requirements applicable to the work being carried out.
Safety switches are particularly important. Unlike circuit breakers, which primarily protect electrical wiring from excessive current, safety switches are designed to help protect people from electric shock. Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office recommends considering safety switches on all circuits in a home.
An upgrade can also make future electrical work easier to accommodate. If you’re renovating, adding new circuits or installing additional equipment, the existing switchboard may need to be reviewed as part of that work.
However, upgrading the board won’t automatically fix every electrical problem.
A faulty appliance, damaged power point, deteriorating cable or problem with an individual circuit can all cause faults. If a breaker or safety switch keeps tripping, don’t keep resetting it without finding out why.
Burning smells, unusual heat, visible damage, flickering lights or repeated power interruptions should be checked by a licensed electrician.
How Can You Prepare for the Work?
A little preparation can make the appointment much easier.
Before the electrician arrives:
- Make sure the switchboard is easy to access.
- Clear boxes, furniture and other items from the working area.
- Tell the electrician about any previous electrical work you’re aware of.
- Explain any recurring faults or tripping problems.
- Mention recently installed appliances or equipment.
- Let them know about electrical work you’re planning.
- Ask how long the electricity is likely to be switched off.
- Save important work and shut down sensitive equipment before the outage.
- Plan around the interruption if you work from home.
You generally don’t need to go around disconnecting every appliance unless the electrician asks you to. They can let you know if anything needs to be switched off before work starts.
Most importantly, don’t attempt to open, modify or repair the switchboard yourself. Electrical work in Queensland must be carried out by appropriately licensed electrical workers.
How Long Does a Switchboard Upgrade Take?
There isn’t a single timeframe that applies to every switchboard upgrade.
Replacing one component may be a relatively straightforward job, while replacing the entire board or making changes to several circuits can take considerably longer.
The condition of the existing wiring, access to the switchboard, the number of circuits involved and the scope of the work can all affect how long the electrician needs.
Rather than relying on a generic timeframe, ask for an estimate after the switchboard has been inspected. It’s also worth asking how long you should expect the electricity to be off.
When Should You Have Your Switchboard Checked?
You don’t have to wait for a major electrical problem before having your switchboard looked at.
Consider arranging an inspection if you’re experiencing repeated faults, planning a renovation, adding new circuits or preparing to install equipment that will increase the electrical load on your home.
It’s also sensible to have it checked if you’re concerned about visible damage, older forms of circuit protection or electrical modifications carried out by previous owners.
An inspection doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need a new switchboard. In some cases, the existing board may be suitable and only a specific issue needs to be addressed.
The important thing is to find out what is actually required rather than replacing equipment simply because it is old.
Final Thoughts
A switchboard upgrade can sound like a major job, but the process is usually straightforward once the electrician has assessed the existing installation.
The first step is understanding what condition the switchboard is in and whether it provides suitable protection for the circuits in your home. From there, the electrician can recommend the work that’s actually needed, carry it out safely, test the installation and restore the power.
Need a Switchboard Upgrade?
Need a switchboard upgrade or repair in Brisbane? Contact JRMT Electrical to arrange an inspection and discuss the right solution for your home.
