As electricians who have serviced residential and commercial properties across the Adelaide metro area for over two decades, one of the most common electrical upgrades we recommend is replacing an outdated or inadequate switchboard (also called power panels or distribution boards). Your switchboard is the core nerve centre of your entire electrical system – distributing power, protecting circuits, and allowing you to safely control various electrical loads. An ageing, deteriorating or overloaded switchboard poses serious safety risks and needs to be updated, often well before other wiring and electrical components.
Here are our professional tips as a licensed electrician on when it’s time to upgrade your switchboard and key considerations to account for during the replacement process.
Signs you need a new switchboard
- The existing switchboard is over 25-30 years old and starting to deteriorate
- You’ve had to keep adding new circuit breakers, creating an overloaded panel
- There is dangerous asbestos and/or outdated fuse components in the panel
- Rooms, additions or major appliances have been added, overloading capacity
- You’re planning a major renovation or electrical service upgrade
- The panel doesn’t meet current Adelaide or Australian Standards
- There are any signs of damage, corrosion or excessive heating on the panel
Switchboard age matters
While you may have had your home or building rewired over the years, many original switchboards in Adelaide properties date back to the 1970s, 80s or even earlier. These aged power panels contain obsolete materials and components no longer considered safe or viable. Fuse panels, wood casing, asbestos insulation and lack of safety mechanisms are just some of the dangers found in severely outdated models. As they deteriorate more over time, fire and shock risks increase dramatically.
Selecting the right new switchboard
When it comes time for a total replacement, we work closely with our clients to understand their power needs and make expert recommendations on the ideal new switchboard specifications, including:
- Adequate surge protection
- Number of circuits/breaker requirements (including spares)
- Single or multi-phase configuration
- Indoor or outdoor weatherproof rating
- Overall amperage and circuit capacity for existing/future loads
- Space for additional safety switches (RCDs, AFCIs, RCBOs etc.)
- Ability to integrate renewable energy sources or generators
- Smart home/energy monitoring integration if desired
Generally, we oversize a bit for future expansion and electrical demand increases over the years. Wolfram, Clipsal, Schneider and other top brands offer proven designs with the latest safety innovations.
Installation considerations
Once the new switchboard model is selected, we pay close attention to ensuring proper installation procedures for long-lasting safety and performance:
- Locating the switchboard for unobstructed access with ample workspace per codes
- Adding an insulated main neutral link for multiple neutrals if required
- Carefully terminating all conductors and bonding components
- Correct sizing for any new service entry/metre upgrades
- Integrating surge protection, isolators, RCDs and other protection
- Final inspection, testing and certification to Australian Standards
- Detailed labelling of all new circuits and protective device directories
Importantly, we always ensure existing branch circuits are safely disconnected before removing the old panel and complete load testing on the new switchboard.
The benefits of a switchboard upgrade
While not the most exciting electrical project, upgrading your switchboard provides immense safety benefits:
- Eliminates risk of fires, shocks and hazards from the old panel
- Provides room for future circuit expansions as needed
- Adds latest protective technologies like AFCIs and RCDs
- Allows for clean integration of renewable energy sources
- Bring the system up to current installation standards
- Dramatically improves the reliability and service life of your electrical system
As electricians, we can’t stress enough how crucial it is to have an updated, adequately sized switchboard installed to the latest safety codes and requirements. An overloaded or ageing power panel creates a constant risk of electrical fires, shocks and potential injuries that simply isn’t worth gambling against.
Conclusion
If your home or building’s switchboard is showing any signs of age, damage or maximum capacity, it’s time to get ahead of the problem. Work with a trusted, licensed Adelaide electrician to specify the right new switchboard solution and have it properly installed. This relatively affordable upgrade provides tremendous peace of mind about the core electrical safety of your entire property for decades to come.
