Switchboard Upgrades

A switchboard upgrade replaces an outdated board with a modern, compliant unit fitted with safety switches and enough capacity for how the property is actually used today. Many older homes in Perth's Northern Suburbs still run switchboards that predate current safety standards, ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, no RCD protection, and boards never designed for the number of appliances a modern household runs. This page also covers three phase power upgrades for properties needing extra capacity, workshops, or larger appliances. Signs a property needs this work: ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, no safety switches at all, a board that trips constantly, or heat marks and buzzing from the switchboard itself.

Switchboard upgrades and safety switches in Perth

The switchboard is where every circuit in your home starts. An old board with ceramic fuses cannot cut power fast enough in a fault, and without safety switches there is nothing to stop an electric shock on a faulty appliance or damaged cable.

A safety switch, also called an RCD (residual current device), watches the current on a circuit and turns it off in a fraction of a second if some of it is leaking to earth, which is what happens when a person gets a shock.

The WA safety switch rule

In Western Australia, before a home is sold or a new tenancy starts, all power point and lighting circuits must be protected by at least two safety switches. WA also limits how many circuits can sit on one safety switch, and lighting circuits must be split across them so one trip does not leave the whole house dark.

If you are selling or leasing, get the board checked early rather than the week before settlement.

RCD installation without a full upgrade

Sometimes safety switches can be added to an existing board. That depends on the board's condition and whether there is room. If the board is old, damaged or full, replacing it is the safer and often cheaper option over time. We check on site and tell you which it is.

How the job works

We look at the board, the circuits and what the house needs to run. You get a fixed price before we start. On the day, power is off for part of the job, so we agree the timing with you. Once the work is tested, notifiable work is lodged with the network operator and you receive an Electrical Safety Certificate.

Where we do this work

We upgrade switchboards and install safety switches for homes across Perth's northern suburbs and the inner west, where many older homes still have their original boards.

Northern suburbs: Clarkson, Mindarie, Merriwa, Quinns Rocks, Burns Beach, Iluka, Currambine, Joondalup, Banksia Grove and Wanneroo.

Inner west: West Leederville, Wembley, Daglish, Mount Hawthorn, Churchlands and Wembley Downs.

Common questions

Do I need two safety switches before selling or renting in WA?

Yes. All power point and lighting circuits must be protected by at least two safety switches before a home is sold or a new tenancy starts.

Can you add safety switches without replacing the whole board?

Sometimes. It depends on the board's condition and space. We check on site and give you a fixed price for the right option.

Will I be without power during a switchboard upgrade?

For part of the job, yes. We agree the timing with you before we start so it suits your day.

Call Nuno on 0422 243 640 or send a quote request below.