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Why switchboard upgrades are a must
Your switchboard controls every circuit in your home, but it does not last forever. Many Perth homes still have boards that were not designed for today’s electrical demand. Here are six signs it may be time to upgrade.
From Assessment to Compliance
Smartfix follows a clear process for every switchboard upgrade
Older Homes, Hidden Risk
If your home was built before the early 1990s, the backing panel behind your switchboard may contain asbestos. This is common in older Perth homes and cannot be safely removed as part of a normal electrical changeover. If Smartfix identifies asbestos during the assessment, we flag it upfront and include the required safety steps in the plan, so the upgrade can be handled properly from the start.
In WA, homes being sold or leased generally need compliant safety protection installed at the switchboard. If your switchboard is outdated, uses old fuses, or cannot support the required protection, an upgrade may be needed to meet WA electrical safety requirements and the AS/NZS 3000 wiring standard.
Most homes only need single-phase power, but some properties need three-phase capacity to safely manage heavier electrical loads. This is common for commercial premises, workshops, large ducted air conditioning systems or equipment-heavy homes. Smartfix can assess your current supply and explain whether a three-phase switchboard upgrade is needed before work begins.
Know Where You Stand
Upgrading your switchboard often means improving other parts of your system. From rewiring old circuits to upgrading mains cabling, we’ll future-proof your home’s electrical setup to handle modern appliances and solar loads.
If you’re planning any of these upgrades, it’s worth checking your switchboard first — older boards often can’t keep up with what modern installations need.
A dedicated EV charger circuit needs adequate board capacity — something many older switchboards simply weren’t built to handle.
Adding circuits for a new room, kitchen, or outdoor area often pushes an older board past what it was designed for.
If you’re considering a switchboard upgrade, it may also be a smart time to add extra power points.
Have some questions?
Smartfix has developed a reputation amongst our clients as being honest, reliable, efficient and provide a professional service that delivers what we promise.
Yes. Smartfix switchboard upgrade work is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
The cost of a switchboard upgrade in Perth depends on the condition of your existing board, the number of circuits, how many RCD safety switches are required, whether the meter box needs replacing, and whether asbestos backing is present. Smartfix provides free on-site quotes and gives you an upfront price before any work starts.
Most standard switchboard upgrades in Perth are completed within around 6 hours. Complex jobs may take longer if rewiring, asbestos removal or extra upgrade work is needed.
You may need a switchboard upgrade if your home has old fuses, no RCD safety switches, frequent tripping, burning smells, damaged wiring, limited circuit space, or you are planning to install solar, an EV charger, new appliances or renovation work. A licensed electrician can check whether your existing board is safe and suitable.
In Western Australia, switchboard work must be done by a licensed electrician. At least two RCD safety switches are required on all power and lighting circuits before a property can be sold or rented. Once complete, your electrician must issue an Electrical Safety Certificate.
A switchboard typically lasts between 25 and 40 years, but older boards may no longer meet modern electrical safety needs even if they are still functioning. If your board still uses ceramic fuses, has no RCD safety switches, trips often, feels overloaded, or does not have space for new circuits, it may be time to upgrade.
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Our Smartfix app is nearly here. Book your electrician or air conditioning service in minutes, track your job, and manage your home’s essential systems all in one place.
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