Old ceramic fuses
- Rewireable fuses instead of circuit breakers
- Fuse wire replaced by hand when it blows
- Common in homes that haven't been rewired in decades
Switchboard Upgrades
Switchboard upgrades before solar, batteries & EV chargers
Many Melbourne homes still run on switchboards built for a very different era — rewireable fuses, no safety switches and no spare room for new circuits. Before we connect solar, a battery or an EV charger, we check that your switchboard can take it safely, and upgrade it in the same job if it can't.
What an upgrade typically includes
Scoped to your home after an on-site inspection
- Safety switches (RCDs) on final circuits
- Circuit breakers in place of old fuses
- Room for solar, battery & EV circuits
- Backup circuits for blackout protection
- Certificate of Electrical Safety
Planning solar or a battery?
Get a quoteWhy it matters for solar and batteries
A solar or battery system is only as safe and reliable as the switchboard it connects to.
Compliance
Every solar, battery and EV circuit needs correct protection, isolation and labelling. If the existing board can't meet current standards, the connection can't be signed off.
Blackout backup
Battery backup works by separating the circuits you want to keep running. That usually means re-arranging the board or adding a backup sub-board — easiest to do in one visit.
One visit, one certificate
Upgrading at the same time as your solar or battery install avoids a second shutdown, a second call-out and a second round of paperwork.
Room to grow
We leave spare capacity for the next step — a second battery, an EV charger or a heat pump — so you don't pay for the board twice.
Switchboard upgrade FAQs
Do I need a switchboard upgrade to install solar?
Not always. Many newer homes already have the safety switches and space required. If your board has old fuses, no RCDs or no room for the new circuits, it will need upgrading before the solar or battery can be connected. We confirm this at the site inspection, before you commit.
Can the upgrade be done on the same day as the solar install?
Usually, yes. Doing both in one visit means one power shutdown and one Certificate of Electrical Safety. For larger jobs, such as an asbestos-backed board or a meter panel change, we may schedule it as a separate visit.
Will a battery back up my whole house?
It depends on the battery, the inverter and how the switchboard is arranged. Some systems back up essential circuits only (lights, fridge, Wi-Fi); others can be designed to run most of the home. Tell us what you want to keep running and we'll design the board around it. Read more in our AC vs DC-coupled battery guide.
How long does the power need to be off?
Typically a few hours for a standard residential board. We'll give you a time window in advance so you can plan around it.
Who does the work?
Our own in-house A-Grade licensed electricians — no subcontractors. You receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work, as required in Victoria.
Related: Residential solar · Battery storage · EV chargers · Solar & battery rebates
Not sure if your switchboard is ready?
Send us a photo of your switchboard with your enquiry and we'll tell you what to expect before the site inspection.