How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?

Look for ceramic fuses instead of modern circuit breakers, frequent tripping under normal use, a burning smell near the board, or the absence of RCD safety switches. Homes built before the mid-1990s are the most likely to need an upgrade. If in doubt, a licensed electrician can inspect your board and let you know where it stands.

How long does a switchboard upgrade take?

Most residential upgrades are completed in three to six hours. More complex jobs — such as properties with asbestos switchboards or those needing earthing upgrades — may take a full day. We'll give you a clear timeframe before starting any work.

Do I need a switchboard upgrade before installing solar panels or an EV charger?

In most cases, yes. Solar systems and EV chargers require dedicated circuits and adequate switchboard capacity. If your current board doesn't have room or lacks safety switch protection, it will need upgrading before the installation can go ahead. We can assess your switchboard as part of any solar or EV charger quote.

Switchboard Upgrades

Name: Storm Electrical Solutions
Address: 61B Hansen St, Altona North, VIC, 3025, AU
Telephone: (03) 4050 7937
Rating: 5

When Your Switchboard Needs Replacing

Most Melbourne homes built before the mid-1990s still run on old ceramic fuse boards or early circuit breakers without RCD protection. These systems were designed for a different era — before split systems, induction cooktops, home offices, and EV chargers became part of everyday life.

If your switchboard still uses rewirable fuses, you're missing the safety switch protection that modern boards provide. RCDs (Residual Current Devices) detect current leaking through a fault — say, through a person — and cut the power in milliseconds. Without them, your home doesn't have that layer of protection against electric shock.

Signs It's Time for an Upgrade

There are a few common indicators that your switchboard is past its use-by date. Frequent tripping or blown fuses, especially when running multiple appliances, usually means the board can't keep up with demand. Flickering lights or warm power points suggest loose connections or overloaded circuits. A burning smell near the switchboard is a serious warning and should be inspected immediately.

If you're planning to install solar panels, a battery system, or an EV charger, your electrician will likely need to upgrade the board first. The same applies to major renovations or air conditioning installations — the existing switchboard needs to support the additional load safely.

For rental properties, Victorian regulations under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 require switchboards to be fitted with both circuit breakers and RCDs. If your investment property doesn't meet this standard, tenants can request an upgrade as an urgent repair.

What's Involved in a Switchboard Upgrade

A standard residential upgrade typically takes between three and six hours, depending on the complexity of the job. The process involves isolating power, removing the old board, and installing a new switchboard with modern circuit breakers, RCD safety switches, and clearly labelled circuits.

We install individual RCBOs (combined circuit breaker and RCD protection) on each circuit where possible. This means if one circuit trips, the rest of your home stays powered — unlike older boards where a single fault can knock out everything.

Once the new board is installed and tested, the work must be signed off by an independent electrical inspector. This is a requirement under Energy Safe Victoria regulations, and we coordinate the inspection as part of every switchboard upgrade we carry out.

Where needed, we also upgrade earthing systems to comply with AS/NZS 3000 (the Australian Wiring Rules) and can add surge protection to guard your appliances against voltage spikes.

Switchboard Upgrades for Solar and EV Readiness

Planning to go solar or install an EV charger down the track? Getting the switchboard right now saves you from paying for a second round of electrical work later.

Solar inverters and battery storage systems require dedicated circuits, proper earthing, and sufficient switchboard capacity. EV chargers — particularly Level 2 units — draw significant power and often need a dedicated circuit with its own RCD protection. If your current board is already at capacity, these additions simply won't be possible without an upgrade.

We regularly set up switchboards with future expansion in mind, adding spare circuit positions and ensuring the mains supply can handle the increased load.

What It Costs

Every switchboard is different, but as a rough guide, a standard single-phase residential upgrade in Melbourne generally runs between $900 and $2,000 depending on the size of the home, the number of circuits, and whether additional work like earthing upgrades or asbestos removal is required. Three-phase upgrades for larger properties typically cost more.

We provide a detailed quote after assessing your specific setup — no surprises and no hidden costs.

If your switchboard is showing its age, or you're planning electrical work that needs a solid foundation, get in touch with Storm Electrical Solutions. Call us on (03) 4050 7937 or use the contact form to arrange a free assessment.