Switchboard Upgrade - Leichhardt

Michelle was getting ready to begin another renovation at her house in Leichhardt, so we started by checking whether the existing electrical setup was ready for the additional work. The switchboard looked like it had been upgraded during an earlier renovation, but once we inspected it more closely, there were still a few important issues that needed to be addressed.

The old asbestos backing panel had been left behind, and not all of the home’s circuits had safety switch protection. Rather than continuing to add new electrical work to an outdated setup, we spoke with Michelle and recommended sorting out the switchboard first.

We disconnected and removed the existing equipment and asbestos backing, then installed a new switchboard, meter panel and enclosure. All sub-circuits were upgraded with Type A RCD protection, giving each circuit the modern safety protection that had previously been missing.

New consumer mains were also installed to better prepare the house for the renovation and any future electrical additions. Michelle is considering upgrades such as an EV charger and induction cooktop later on, so completing this work now gives the home a much better foundation when the time comes.

Because the switchboard is located outside, we also installed a sensor light above it. The light comes on automatically at night, making it much easier to see and safely access the switchboard if a circuit ever trips after dark.

By the end of the job, Michelle had more than just a new switchboard. The asbestos panel was gone, every sub-circuit had modern safety protection, the consumer mains were ready for future demand, and the switchboard area was safer and easier to access at night.

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