Switchboard Upgrade West Leederville: Flats and Homes

The electrician starts by looking at what is behind the cover. Ceramic fuses, a cracked or scorched panel, and breakers that trip whenever the kettle and toaster run together all point towards a new board.

A full replacement removes the old board and fits a new one with a circuit breaker for each circuit. A circuit breaker is a switch that cuts power when a circuit is overloaded. The board also gets RCDs, which are safety switches that shut off power in a fraction of a second if electricity leaks, for example through a person.

Sometimes a full board is not needed. If the board is sound and only lacks safety switches, adding them can be the smaller and cheaper job. A good electrician tells you which one your board needs and gives you the price before touching anything.

If the old panel might contain asbestos, the electrician deals with that before cutting into it. You do not need to work out what the material is yourself.

The wait has two parts: getting the board ready and doing the install. Many boards are assembled from parts the electrician sources, and a larger or custom board can take longer to build than a standard home one.

Once the board is ready, the changeover itself is a single visit in many homes, because the power only needs to be off while the old board comes out and the new one is wired in. A compact board for a small flat is usually quicker to build than one sized for solar, a ducted air conditioner and an EV charger.

If the supply on the meter side needs work, Western Power handles disconnecting it, which can add a step to the schedule. Breakers tripping often or a burning smell from the board is urgent. If you see smoke or fire, call 000.

A new board also makes room for what comes next. Solar, an air conditioner or an EV charger each need their own protected circuit, and a full old board often has no space left for one.

A WA home that is sold or newly leased needs at least two RCDs protecting its power and lighting circuits. Where flats and units are let out, as they are around Cambridge Street, that rule is often what prompts a landlord to look at the board.

After installation work, the contractor must give you an electrical safety certificate within 28 days. Keep it with your property papers, because a buyer or agent may ask for it.