Mains Upgrades
Mains Power Upgrades in Melbourne’s West
If your home’s electrical supply can’t keep up with modern demands — tripping circuits, dimming lights, or stopping you from adding new appliances — you may need a mains power upgrade.
Storm Electrical Solutions provides professional mains upgrade services across Melbourne’s western and inner‑western suburbs. Our licensed electricians assess your existing supply, liaise with your electricity distributor, and complete all upgrade works safely and in full compliance with Australian Standards.
What Is a Mains Upgrade?
A mains upgrade involves replacing or upgrading the electrical supply cables that connect your property’s switchboard (meter box) to the street power supply — either an overhead power pole or an underground supply pit.
Most Melbourne homes now have a 63‑amp single‑phase supply, which is generally sufficient for standard modern usage. Older homes, however, may still be running on a 32‑amp or 40‑amp supply. These smaller supplies are often no longer adequate for today’s electrical loads and can limit what you can safely run in your home.
When Do You Need a Mains Upgrade?
You may need a mains upgrade if:
- You have an older home with a small supply
Homes with 32A or 40A supplies often struggle with modern appliances such as ducted air conditioning, induction cooktops, and electric hot water systems. These loads can easily overload an undersized supply.
- You’re adding solar or a battery
Solar inverters and battery systems add to the overall load on your electrical supply. An undersized mains cable can restrict the size of the system you can install or cause nuisance tripping.
- You’re installing an EV charger
Level 2 EV chargers draw significant current over extended periods. Many existing supplies don’t have the spare capacity to support an EV charger safely without an upgrade.
- You’re renovating or extending
Adding rooms, a granny flat, a studio, or a workshop usually means more circuits and higher demand. A mains upgrade ensures your new spaces are properly supplied without overloading the existing system.
- You’re upgrading to three‑phase power
Some equipment — such as commercial machinery, larger ducted air conditioning systems, and serious workshop setups — requires three‑phase power instead of single‑phase. A mains upgrade is needed to bring three‑phase into the property.
- Your mains cables are old or deteriorating
Homes over 40–50 years old may still have cotton‑insulated or rubber‑insulated mains cables. These no longer meet current safety standards and can become brittle or unsafe, making replacement essential.
Types of Mains Upgrades
Single‑Phase Upgrade
A single‑phase upgrade typically involves increasing an older 32A or 40A supply to the modern standard 63A single‑phase supply. This is the most common residential mains upgrade and is often enough to support:
- Ducted or multiple split‑system air conditioners
- Induction cooktops and electric ovens
- Electric hot water systems
- EV charging (depending on charger size and total load)
Three‑Phase Upgrade
A three‑phase upgrade is recommended where higher power capacity or three‑phase equipment is required. This upgrade involves:
- Bringing a three‑phase supply from the street to your property
- Upgrading or replacing the switchboard to accommodate three‑phase circuits
- Coordinating with your electricity distributor (e.g. Jemena, CitiPower, Powercor) for metering changes and approvals
Three‑phase power is ideal for:
- Larger homes with high electrical demand
- Workshops and machinery
- Large ducted air conditioning systems
- Future‑proofing for EV chargers, solar, and batteries
Overhead to Underground Conversion
If your home is currently supplied via overhead cables, you may choose to convert to an underground supply. This can:
- Improve reliability by reducing exposure to storm damage and falling branches
- Remove visual clutter from the front of your property
- Reduce the risk of accidental contact with overhead lines
An overhead‑to‑underground conversion involves installing new underground consumer mains from the street pit to your switchboard and coordinating with your distributor to decommission the overhead service.
What’s Involved in a Mains Upgrade?
On‑site Assessment
We inspect your existing mains cables, switchboard, and metering setup to determine:
- Your current supply size and condition
- Whether a single‑phase or three‑phase upgrade is appropriate
- Any switchboard or safety upgrades required at the same time
Distributor Coordination
We manage the entire process with your electricity distributor (Jemena, CitiPower, or Powercor), including:
- Applications for supply upgrades or new connections
- Arranging meter changes or upgrades
- Scheduling any required network isolation or reconnection
Installation of New Mains
Our licensed electricians install new consumer mains cables between your switchboard and the point of supply (overhead or underground). Where required, we can also:
- Upgrade or replace your switchboard
- Install new safety switches (RCDs) and circuit protection
- Reconfigure circuits to suit the new supply
Testing and Certification
Once the upgrade is complete, we:
- Test all work to AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules)
- Verify correct operation of protection devices
- Issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety for your records and insurance
How Much Does a Mains Upgrade Cost?
The cost of a mains upgrade depends on several factors, including:
- Type of upgrade (single‑phase, three‑phase, or overhead‑to‑underground)
- Cable length and installation complexity
- Whether trenching or civil works are required
- Condition and layout of your existing switchboard and metering
Because every property is different, we provide tailored, upfront pricing after an initial assessment. There are no hidden extras — you’ll know exactly what’s involved before any work begins.
Contact us to arrange an on‑site assessment and a detailed, fixed quote.
Service Areas
Storm Electrical Solutions provides mains upgrades across Melbourne’s western and inner‑western suburbs, including:
- Altona
- Altona North
- Newport
- Yarraville