Switchboard upgrades in Melbourne - safety switches, RCBOs and modern protection

Why switchboard upgrades matter

Your switchboard is the safety hub of your electrical system. Older switchboards often have limited protection, poor labelling, worn components, or fuse-based circuits that don’t meet modern expectations for safety and reliability.

A proper upgrade can reduce nuisance tripping, improve fault protection, and bring your home or business closer to today’s safety standards. We’ll explain what you have, what’s missing, and the cleanest way to upgrade it.

What we upgrade

Signs your switchboard may need an upgrade

• Ceramic fuses or an old-style fuse panel
• No safety switches (or only one protecting everything)
• Frequent tripping or circuits that “randomly” drop out
• Burn marks, heat, or buzzing around breakers or fuse carriers
• Renovations, new appliances, or added load (induction, A/C, EV charger)
• Unclear labelling and messy internals that make fault finding harder

What to expect - our process

• Assessment - confirm existing circuits, condition, earthing, and capacity
• Clear quote - scope, inclusions, and any recommended improvements explained
• Isolate and upgrade - replace components, install protection, tidy and secure wiring
• Test and verify - confirm operation of RCD/RCBO protection and circuit integrity
• Label and handover - clear circuit list and quick walkthrough of what’s changed

Some upgrades require planned downtime. We’ll tell you what to expect upfront and work efficiently to minimise disruption.

How much does a switchboard upgrade cost?

Pricing depends on the age and condition of the existing board, number of circuits, access, and whether any remedial work is needed (for example damaged cabling, upgrades to earthing, or additional circuits for new appliances).

• Small upgrades may be adding RCD/RCBO protection to an existing enclosure
• Full replacements involve a new enclosure, new protection devices, and tidy re-termination
• Additional improvements may include surge protection or capacity upgrades where appropriate

The fastest way to quote is a clear photo of the switchboard with the door open. We’ll tell you what’s likely required and options.

Quick FAQs

Do I need RCBOs or are safety switches enough?

RCBOs are often the best outcome because each circuit has its own protection. That means one fault is less likely to take out the whole house. We’ll recommend the cleanest option for your board and budget.

Will the power be off?

Yes - switchboard work requires isolation. We’ll plan it, work efficiently, and give you a clear expectation on timing.

Can you upgrade the switchboard before an EV charger or air conditioner install?

Yes - and it’s often the right order. Modern protection and capacity checks help avoid delays when adding high-load equipment.

Do you provide compliance documentation?

Yes - where required we complete work to Australian Standards and provide the correct documentation at handover.

Related electrical services

Switchboard upgrades often go together with electrical safety checks, EV charger installs, air conditioning installation, and fault finding and repairs.