There’s a range of scope here, and the initial switchboard inspection will help our electricians determine what needs to be done. A small domestic fuse board does not equal a large board supplying commercial equipment, for example.
Switchboard Upgrades
Your switchboard is the heart of your property’s electrical system. It distributes electricity across your circuits, while keeping people and property safe with its circuit breakers and safety switches.
If it’s outdated, damaged or unable to cope with modern electrical demands, it’s more than an inconvenience. It can be a risk too.
Voltora Industries provides switchboard upgrades for residential and commercial properties. If your switchboard is playing up or you feel it isn’t up to scratch anymore, our Brisbane electricians can inspect it and recommend the right way forward.
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- Switchboard Upgrades
Why Choose Voltora for Your Switchboard Upgrade?
A switchboard upgrade is a job for a licensed electrician with a strong track record in this work. Voltora Industries has been completing electrical work across Brisbane since 2015. We’re a Gold Master Electrician business and were named the 2023 South Queensland Master Electrician of the Year. We’ll assess your switchboard and give you a transparent answer as to what needs to be done.
Switchboard Experience
Older boards can contain a mix of ceramic fuses, ageing components, previous alterations and wiring installed at different stages of the property’s life. Our electricians know what to look for and will advise accordingly.
Five-Star Reviews
Since 2015 we’ve helped countless people out with their switchboard upgrades and other electrical needs. We have well over 200 five star Google reviews that are testament to the quality of work our electricians deliver. We’re the tried and tested Brisbane electrician.
Local Brisbane Electricians
We’re Brisbane locals, based at 2/1 Garret Street in Brendale. Our mobile electricians cover the whole of the city, plus further afield around South East Queensland. We know and understand the properties in this city – there aren’t many switchboard issues we haven’t encountered before.
Queensland Licensed Electrical Contractor
Voltora Industries operates under QLD Electrical Licence #79421. You can have faith that switchboard upgrades, alterations and associated fixed electrical work are completed by licensed and insured electricians
Signs Your Switchboard May Need Upgrading
Please don’t attempt any DIY electrical workon your switchboard. It’s against the law, and we’d hate for you to get injured as a result.
What you can do is keep an eye out for the indicators that you need an electrician to come and assess your switchboard. These include:
- Ceramic rewireable fuses are still installed
- The board is visibly old, damaged or deteriorated
- There’s little or no room for additional circuits
- You’re planning a major renovation or electrical addition
- Existing circuit protection needs to be assessed
- The property has substantially outgrown its original electrical setup
These symptoms don’t automatically mean a full replacement is needed. Your electrician will be able to assess your switchboard and determine the best steps to take.
Want to dig into the subject before booking? Our5 Signs It’s Time for a Switchboard Upgrade article covers the warning signs in more detail, while our Switchboard Upgrade Decision Guide looks at when an upgrade makes sense.
Replacing Ceramic Fuses and Old Fuse Boxes
Still have the old ceramic fuses with fuse wire inside them? Many of the older properties in Brisbane are in this situation.
When dealing with an ageing electrical setup, we thoroughly assess the board and circuits. If an upgrade is needed, we can remove the old equipment and configure the board with modern circuit protection suited to the property.
This is also a good opportunity to properly identify circuits and understand what has been added or altered over the years. It gives us insight into your electrical system.
Leave everything inside the switchboard to a licensed electrician. Replacing fuse wire or modifying electrical components isn’t a DIY upgrade.
What's Involved in a Switchboard Upgrade?
Different tasks will be undertaken on different upgrade projects, and can include:
- Removing outdated switchboard equipment
- Replacing ceramic fuses
- Installing circuit breakers
- Installing appropriate safety-switch protection
- Replacing or modifying the switchboard enclosure
- Organising and identifying electrical circuits
- Labelling circuits clearly
- Testing completed electrical work
- Allowing capacity for new circuits where required
- Addressing associated issues identified during the upgrade
How Much Does a Switchboard Upgrade Cost in Brisbane?
There are two general pricing tiers here:
Smaller domestic switchboards: Approx $1,800 - $3,500 inc GST.
Larger domestic switchboards: Approx $3,500–$6,000+ inc GST.
Those figures are indicative because the switchboard itself is only part of what determines the price. Two similar-looking boards can require very different amounts of work.
Factors that can affect switchboard upgrade cost include:
- Number of circuits
- Current board size and configuration
- Condition of existing wiring
- Ceramic fuse replacement
- Required circuit protection
- RCBO and safety-switch requirements
- Single-phase or three-phase supply
- Mains or consumer mains work
- Energex and metering requirements
- Access to the switchboard
- Asbestos-containing panels
- Existing electrical defects
Commercial switchboards can be tricky to price without seeing them. Usually we’ll need to inspect the site before providing a quote.
Residential Switchboard Upgrades Brisbane
Houses change over time, and so do their electrical needs. Kitchens are renovated, air conditioners are installed, pools go in, solar is added and suddenly garages suddenly need to charge an EV.
The switchboards of the past simply aren’t built to handle the modern electrical demands of properties.
They’ll tick along, but eventually you’ll start to notice they’re not keeping up.
Our residential electricians upgrade switchboards across Brisbane, whether the job involves modernising an older fuse board or making changes to support a home’s evolving electrical needs
GET A QUOTECommercial Switchboard Upgrades Brisbane
The requirements of an electrical switchboard vary massively depending on the business and the size of the property. Offices, retail premises, warehouses, workshops and multi-unit properties all have different electrical needs and consumption.
There’s also downtime to think about on a commercial property – no business needs to be without electricity for too long. Downtime costs money.
Our commercial electricians work on switchboards across Brisbane. We’ve got the process down to an efficient art – from the initialt assessment through through to completion of the switchboard upgrade.
If your commercial premises needs the switchboard looked at, we’ll get it done for you. You can also see how this type of work comes together in our Brisbane block-of-units switchboard upgrade project.
When is a Switchboard Upgrade Urgent?
Some electrical work shouldn;t be put off. If you just have an old switchboard that needs assessing, there’s less urgency. But if your switchboard is showing signs of an active electrical problem, you need an electrician to look at it ASAP. Signs include:
- A burning smell coming from the switchboard
- Melted, scorched or discoloured components
- Unusual heat around the board
- Crackling, buzzing or arcing sounds
- Water entering or affecting the switchboard
- Damaged or exposed electrical components
- Frequent unexplained tripping
- Signs that components have overheated
- Shocks or tingling sensations from electrical equipment
Please don’t open switchboard components to investigate. Your switchboard is an electrica;l hazard if any of the above signs are present. Get in touch with Voltora Industries ASAP.
Voltora Has Been A Trusted Switchboard Provider Since 2015
Since day one, Voltora has been winning the hearts and minds of customers with our professional service and attention to detail. With best-in-class electrical tradesmanship and tailored electrical advice from expert electricians passionate to serve, clients know that they can count on Voltora to install, repair and maintain their switchboards safely, and efficiently.
Book Your Brisbane Switchboard Upgrade with Voltora Industries
Is your switchboard showing its age? Or maybe you’re doing a reno and its the prefect time to assess whether you need an upgrade? Whatever is going on with your switchboard and electrical system, an assessment by the Voltora electricians will answer any questions you have and determine whether a switchboard upgrade is necessary.
We’ll give you an honest assessment of what needs to be done, how much it will cost and what kind of timeframes we’re working with. Get the ball rolling by contacting us here or giving us a call on 1300 799 430.
Switchboard Upgrade FAQs
How Much Does a Switchboard Upgrade Cost?
A smaller domestic switchboard upgrade will typically cost around $1,800 – $3,500 inc GST, while a larger domestic board is typically around $3,500- $6,000+ inc GST.
How Can I Tell if My Switchboard Is Too Old?
Ceramic fuses are an obvious clue, and you may notice your switchboard isn’t keeping up with the electrical demands of your property. An electrical inspection is the most reliable way to establish whether an upgrade is required.
What Happens to My Old Ceramic Fuses?
Where the scope calls for their replacement, old ceramic fuse equipment can be removed as part of the switchboard upgrade and replaced with suitable modern circuit protection.
How Long Will My Power Be Off During a Switchboard Upgrade?
There will be a period where electricity needs to be isolated so the work can be completed safely. The length of time depends on the size of the board, complexity of the upgrade and any issues found in the existing installation. Straightforward jobs are done within a day, more complex ones take longer.
Will I Need a Switchboard Upgrade for an EV Charger, Solar System or Swimming Pool?
Maybe, but not automatically. Adding electrical equipment to your property definitely gives the switchboard more work, but an inspection is necessary to determine if that work is beyond what its capable of.