Switchboard Upgrades in Ballina, NSW
What is included
What Is Included in Our Switchboard Upgrades
- We open the switchboard and look for scorch marks, loose wires, rust, damp and insect nests.
- We list every circuit and what it feeds, tracing unlabelled ones by switching them off one at a time.
- We isolate the supply at the main switch and prove the board dead before unscrewing anything.
- The old fuses, breakers and backing board come out, and a new enclosure is fixed to the wall.
- Each circuit is reconnected to its own breaker, with RCDs protecting the power and lighting circuits.
- Neutral and earth bars are tidied, and the earthing connection is checked where it enters the board.
- Every breaker is labelled in plain words, so you can find the kitchen or the pool pump in the dark.
- With power back on, we press each RCD test button and trip test it with a tester.
Why us
Why Choose Us for Switchboard Upgrades?
Accountable for every job, long after the day
Every switchboard upgrades job is done by the people who will still be here next year.
Tested and signed off before we leave
Everything we touch on your switchboard upgrades is tested before we go, you get walked through exactly what was done.
Local electricians, not a call centre
An electrician answers the phone and the same faces come back if the job runs over a day.
How the job runs
A switchboard shows its whole history
Describe the board you have
Tell us if the board has ceramic fuse carriers, a mix of old and new breakers, or any RCDs at all. Say if lights flicker, breakers trip often or the board feels warm. Tell us what you plan to add, such as air conditioning or an EV charger.
Counting circuits and planning space
With the cover off we count circuits, check the main switch rating and see how much room is left. We agree which circuits get RCDs and whether a larger enclosure is needed. We also look at the cable entering the board, since old rubber insulation can crumble.
Swapping the old board out
We switch the supply off, remove the old board and mount the new one. Each circuit is reconnected and labelled. The power stays off while this happens, so we plan the circuits that matter most, like the fridge, to come back first. All RCDs are tested before we leave.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I send before someone visits?
A short description of what is happening and which suburb you are in is the main thing. A photo of the switchboard with the cover closed, and one of the spot where the work is needed, lets us see the age of the installation and the layout. If an appliance or unit is involved, send its make and model.
How do I describe a fault over the phone?
Say which room or circuit is affected and what you noticed first, such as lights flickering, a switch tripping or a smell of burning. Mention whether it happens all the time or only when a particular appliance is running. If there is smoke, fire or someone has been hurt, call 000 first.
What days and hours are you open?
We are open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4pm, and closed on Saturday and Sunday. You can call 0468 051 006 or email enquires@switchedonelectrical.com.au. If you email, put your suburb and what is going on in the first lines.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Ballina and work across the Northern Rivers. That includes Lennox Head, Skennars Head, Alstonville, Wollongbar, Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lismore, Mullumbimby, Woodburn, Evans Head and Broadwater. If you are somewhere nearby, call and ask.
What does a switchboard upgrade involve?
The power is switched off, the old board is taken out and a new board goes in with the circuits moved across. Safety switches are fitted to the circuits and each circuit is labelled. Older boards sometimes hide extra wiring, which becomes visible once the cover is off.
Can a power point be added where I need one?
Usually, yes. It depends on where the nearest circuit is, whether that circuit can carry the extra load, and how the cable can reach the spot through the roof space, the wall cavity or under the floor. A photo of the wall and a note of what you want to plug in is enough to start.
What if my safety switch keeps tripping?
Unplug everything on the affected circuit and reset the switch once. If it holds, plug appliances back in one at a time, since a faulty appliance is a common cause. If it trips again with nothing plugged in, leave it off and call us, because the fault is in the wiring or a fitting.
What do I need to know about smoke alarm basics?
Alarms belong in hallways and near bedrooms, and interconnected alarms sound together when one detects smoke. Mains powered alarms with a battery backup are common in newer homes. Most alarms have a date printed on the back, so check it, and call us if yours is old or does not sound when tested.
How are data points run?
A network cable, usually Cat6, runs from a central point such as a patch panel or a rack to a wall outlet in each room. It goes through the roof space or wall cavity, is terminated at both ends and is tested. Tell us which rooms need a point and where the router or rack will sit.
Do you work with solar and batteries?
Yes. Solar system installation and battery installation are both on our list of work. Both connect through the switchboard and meter box, so a photo of those and the make of any inverter or battery you have in mind is a useful start.
What is involved in an EV charger install?
The charger needs its own circuit from the switchboard, and the cable has to run from the board to wherever the car parks. We look at the board for spare space and at the distance to the garage or carport. Send a photo of the board and the make and model of the charger.
What should I know before an air conditioner install?
Decide which room the unit serves and where the outdoor unit can sit, since the pipes and cable have to connect the two. The switchboard needs a circuit with enough capacity for the unit. Send the make and model if you have chosen one, and a photo of the board and the wall where the indoor unit will go.
Related work
Other jobs we get called out for
smoke detector installation
Hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms fitted in hallways, near bedrooms and in living areas, so when one alarm sounds all the others sound with it.
Read moresolar system installation
Rooftop panels, an inverter and the wiring between them fitted to the house, with the connection made at the switchboard and the system running.
Read moreair conditioning
Split system air conditioners mounted and wired on their own circuit, with the indoor and outdoor units connected, run up and tested.
Read moreServing Ballina and The Surrounding Areas
Where we work
Ready when you are
Book Switchboard Upgrades in Ballina Today
Send a photo of the switchboard with the cover closed, and tell us whether the label inside says fuses, breakers or both. Add anything you plan to install that will need its own circuit.
0468 051 006Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4pm
Not urgent? Send us the job instead