Fuses or unclear protection?
Rewireable ceramic fuses, uncertain safety-switch coverage or a crowded board are good reasons to ask for an assessment. One safety switch does not necessarily protect every circuit.
Solair Electrical Pty Ltd · Queensland Electrical Contractor Licence 1503341 · Check our licence
Redlands · Brisbane · Our own electrical team
Switchboard upgrades
done with care.
Clear advice, neat workmanship and protection suited to your home. Solair Electrical assesses and upgrades switchboards across Brisbane and the Redlands, whether you’re dealing with old fuses, planning a renovation or adding new electrical equipment.
✓ No subcontractors. Ever.✓ 10-year new-work workmanship warranty
Local people. Accountable workmanship.
The team you choose is the team doing the work.
We’re a family-owned electrical business based in Thornlands. Allan, Ryan and our in-house team take pride in the details: secure cabling, clear labels, careful testing and a tidy finish. We never subcontract our work.
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Start with an assessment,
not an assumption.
A switchboard can look dated without needing a complete replacement. We check what you have, what needs attention and what your home will need next.
Trips or electrical concerns?
Repeated tripping or flickering lights need investigation. The cause may be a faulty appliance, wiring or a connection problem. Replacing the switchboard alone may not solve it.
More equipment at home?
A renovation, induction cooking, air conditioning, shed or EV charger can change demand. We assess the circuit requirements and supply before recommending additional work.
Understand what you’re getting
Different devices.
Different jobs.
A tidy row of switches does not tell the whole story. We identify the existing devices, assess the circuits they protect and explain the proposed changes in plain English.
Protection must be selected for the installation. Adding a device does not fix damaged wiring or remove the need for inspection and testing.
Helps protect people
Detects current leakage and disconnects the affected circuit to help protect against electric shock.
Protects circuit wiring
Operates for excessive current, including overloads and short circuits. It does not replace a safety switch.
Combines both functions
Provides safety-switch and circuit-breaker protection in one device for the circuit it serves.
Limits voltage spikes
Helps reduce brief voltage surges that can damage equipment. It has a different role from an RCD or circuit breaker.
Local work.
A finish we’re proud of.
Switchboard work completed by our team across the Redlands and Brisbane. Each scope is assessed for the property, rather than copied from another job.
Installation photos show our completed work. Keep switchboard covers in place; electrical inspection and testing are jobs for a licensed electrician.
Plan the next step properly
Ready for what’s next,
without unnecessary work.
Tell us about both the immediate project and future plans. We can assess protection, circuit arrangements and practical space for additions together, reducing the chance of planning the same work twice.
A larger enclosure does not create extra electricity supply capacity. We assess the loads and explain where switchboard work ends and other work begins.
- Solar and home batteriesProtection, isolation, connections and backup arrangements need to suit the design. We can plan the board alongside your solar installation or battery system.
- EV charging and larger appliancesWe assess the equipment, circuit needs and maximum demand. An EV does not automatically mean you need three-phase supply.
- Mains, metering and three-phaseConsumer mains, distributor connection changes and meter work may be separate parts of the project, with their own requirements and timing.
- Existing solar faultsIf solar is not working properly, fault finding can identify the cause before you commit to broader upgrades.
From first visit to final checks
A clear scope.
A careful installation.
- 01 / ASSESS & QUOTE
Know what is included
We assess the board, supply, earthing, circuits and proposed loads. Your quote sets out the agreed work and any associated items that need separate attention.
- 02 / PLAN & INSTALL
Make the outage manageable
We discuss access, isolation and expected power-off time before work starts. Our own team carries out the installation, with care for the property and clean-up.
- 03 / TEST & HAND OVER
Understand the finished board
We complete the required testing and documentation, label the circuits and explain the new protection and how to use its test controls as instructed.
Work follows applicable Queensland electrical-safety requirements and the relevant AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules. We assess existing defects and explain any additional work needed rather than hiding it in a vague “standard upgrade”.
Details that affect the scope
Good planning matters
as much as the new board.
The number of circuits, existing wiring, location, access and any supply or metering changes all influence cost and timing. We confirm these before agreeing the work.
Some older switchboards and meter panels may contain asbestos. A photo cannot reliably identify it. Suspected material needs assessment and safe management by appropriately qualified people. Do not drill, sand or disturb a backing panel.
Useful answers
Before you upgrade
your switchboard.
How much does a switchboard upgrade cost?
The cost depends on the condition and size of the board, circuit protection required, available space and any associated cabling or supply work. Access, asbestos management, metering and network work can also affect the scope. We assess the installation and provide a clear quote before the agreed work starts.
Will the power be off, and for how long?
Power must be isolated for the work. The outage depends on the agreed scope, site conditions and any distributor or metering arrangements. We explain the expected timing beforehand. Tell us about medical equipment, working-from-home needs, refrigeration or other critical loads so these can be considered in the plan.
Does every older switchboard need replacing?
No. Age or an older appearance alone does not establish that the whole board needs replacement. We inspect and test the installation, check its protection and capacity, and explain whether targeted work or a fuller upgrade is appropriate. Repeated tripping may be caused by an appliance or wiring fault rather than the board itself.
Do solar, batteries or an EV require a new switchboard?
Not always. We check the existing board, protection, available space and supply capacity against the proposed equipment. Some homes need additional circuits or protection; others need more substantial work. Battery backup and changes to supply or metering are assessed separately and explained in the quote.
Is a switchboard upgrade the same as a three-phase upgrade?
No. Replacing or upgrading a switchboard does not automatically change the electricity supply to three-phase or increase its capacity. Consumer mains, the network connection and metering may also need changes. We assess the loads and explain any separate work or approvals required.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Send your suburb, what you have noticed and any planned equipment such as solar, a battery, EV charging or a new kitchen. If the board is safe and readily accessible, an exterior photo with covers closed can help us plan. Do not remove covers, undo screws or approach damaged equipment for a photo. Photos cannot replace on-site inspection and testing.
Let’s work out your next step
Let’s discuss your switchboard.
Tell us what you have noticed or what you are planning. Include your suburb and we’ll discuss the next step.
Prefer to talk?
0405 685 441
Prefer to email?
Email info@solairelectrical.com.au.
Based in Thornlands, serving Brisbane and the Redlands, including Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point, Redland Bay and Wynnum. Enquiries are also welcome from Logan and Ipswich; tell us your suburb so we can confirm scope and availability.
Further reading: Queensland Electrical Safety Office guidance and Queensland advice on older switchboard panels.