Licensed electrical contractor No. 601260219
Switchboard upgrades, testing and maintenance in Launceston
We replace outdated ceramic-fuse panels with modern circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs), boost power capacity, and cut fire risk, then certify the work to current Tasmanian standards.
- Most upgrades completed in 3 to 8 hours
- Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate with every job
- Rated 4.9 from 444 Google reviews
Get a free switchboard quote
Tell us about your board and what you plan to add (solar, EV charger, heat pump). Fields marked * are required.
Prefer to talk? Call (03) 6331 4711
- 4.9Google rating, 444 reviews
- 1920Fourth-generation,
family run - Licensed contractorLicence No. 601260219
- 3 to 8 hoursTypical upgrade time
Switchboard upgrades explained
What is a switchboard upgrade?
A switchboard upgrade replaces an old fuse board, or an outdated breaker panel, with a modern switchboard fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs and RCBOs). Every circuit in your home starts at the switchboard, so its protection devices decide how fast power cuts off when something goes wrong.
If you live in Launceston and your home still has ceramic fuse boards, frequent breaker trips or you’re planning an EV charger or solar installation, you likely need a professional switchboard upgrade. We’ll assess your system, replace outdated parts (RCDs, RCBOs, SPDs, AFDDs), coordinate with TasNetworks if needed, and issue a Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate so you’re safe, compliant and future ready.
Keeping your home’s electrical system safe and reliable starts with a switchboard built to handle today’s power demands. At Mance Electrical, we’ve supported Launceston households for decades, helping maintain and upgrade systems to meet modern needs. We manage everything from small residential repairs to complete switchboard upgrades, ensuring every setup is compliant, secure, and ready to handle daily appliances, solar systems, and EV chargers.
| Old fuse board | Modern switchboard |
|---|---|
| Ceramic rewireable fuses | Circuit breakers you reset with a switch |
| Few or no safety switches (RCDs) | RCD or RCBO protection on every circuit |
| One fault can black out the house | A fault trips only its own circuit |
| No surge protection | Surge protection (SPD) option |
| Struggles with solar, EV chargers and heat pumps | Capacity planned for solar, EV and heat pumps |
Warning signs
Do I need a switchboard upgrade?
Older switchboards weren’t designed for the way we use power today. With more devices, heating systems, and smart tech in modern homes, older boards can struggle to keep up, and that can put your household at risk.
You might need a switchboard upgrade in Launceston if you’ve noticed:
Ceramic fuses still in place
These are outdated and don’t provide the same level of safety as modern RCDs.
Frequent circuit breaker trips
A sign your board is overloaded or faulty.
- Act now
Burning smells or heat around the board
It indicates poor connections or damaged wiring.
Flickering lights
Often linked to unstable power flow or old components.
Adding high-demand appliances
Like solar systems, EV chargers, or heat pumps that require more capacity.
Home extensions or renovations
Extra circuits often need a switchboard capable of handling the load.
Insurance or defect notices
Some policies require boards to meet current Australian Standards.
Noticed one of these?
Book an inspection and we’ll tell you whether your board needs repairing or replacing.
Call (03) 6331 4711Or get a quote online
Benefits
What are the benefits of upgrading my switchboard?
A switchboard upgrade does more than replace old electrical components. It improves the overall safety, reliability, and capacity of your electrical system, making your property better suited to modern appliances and future electrical needs. These are some of the benefits of upgrading your switchboard:
Improved safety
Modern switchboards include safety switches and circuit breakers that help protect against electric shock, short circuits, and electrical fires.
Better compliance
Upgrading your switchboard can help bring your electrical system in line with current safety standards and regulations.
Greater capacity for modern appliances
A new switchboard can better handle the electrical load from air conditioners, ovens, EV chargers, solar systems, and other high-demand appliances.
More reliable performance
Modern circuit breakers are easier to manage and more reliable than old ceramic fuses, helping reduce faults and unexpected outages.
Future-ready electrical system
A switchboard upgrade makes it easier to add new circuits or install upgrades such as solar panels, batteries, or electric vehicle charging stations.
Added property value
A modern, compliant switchboard can improve buyer confidence and may add value when selling or leasing a property.
Residential and commercial
What’s included in our upgrade
Ceramic fuse replacement
Old fuses out, modern RCDs and RCBOs in.
More details about ceramic fuse replacement
We replace old ceramic fuses with modern RCDs and RCBOs to improve safety and reliability. This helps protect both people and appliances from potential electrical faults. Upgrading to a modern switchboard with safety switches ensures your Launceston home meets current compliance standards.
Mains upgrades and meter relocations
More supply capacity, with TasNetworks coordination handled for you.
More details about mains upgrades and meter relocations
If your existing supply cannot handle today’s power demands or you need a mains upgrade & meter relocation, we take care of the entire process. We handle everything safely, working within Tasmanian regulations and coordinating directly with TasNetworks when needed.
Three-phase switchboard upgrades
Headroom for EV chargers, ducted heat pumps and induction cooktops.
More details about three-phase switchboard upgrades
Most Launceston homes run on single-phase electric power, which is perfectly adequate for standard household appliances. Once you start adding EV chargers, ducted heat pumps, or induction cooktops, though, a single-phase supply can hit its ceiling. That’s when a three-phase switchboard upgrade earns its keep, spreading the load across three circuits instead of one and giving your property genuine headroom for future appliances.
Load assessment and circuit mapping
A fault trips one circuit, not your whole board.
More details about load assessment and circuit mapping
Good power system protection starts with understanding how electricity is actually distributed through your property. Once we’ve mapped your circuits, we set up protection devices, RCDs, RCBOs, and AFDDs, so each part of your electric power distribution is isolated correctly if a fault occurs. That means a problem in one circuit trips only that circuit, not your whole board, keeping the rest of your home powered while the fault is fixed.
Surge protection devices (SPD) install
Protects electronics from storm and grid voltage spikes.
More details about surge protection devices (spd) install
We can install surge protection devices to safeguard sensitive electronics from unexpected voltage spikes caused by storms or grid fluctuations. This protects items like computers, home entertainment systems, and smart appliances from costly damage.
Arc fault detection device (AFDD) options
Detects dangerous electrical arcs early to reduce fire risk.
More details about arc fault detection device (afdd) options
For properties that need an extra layer of safety, we can fit Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs). These detect dangerous electrical arcs early and help reduce the risk of potential fires. We’ll recommend them where they make sense based on your setup and power needs.
Compliance certification
Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate after every upgrade.
More details about compliance certification
After completing your switchboard upgrade, we provide an Electrical Compliance Certificate, Tasmania for your records. This confirms your installation meets safety standards and has passed all required tests, including RCD trip-time testing, Earth testing and insulation resistance testing.
Future-ready switchboard setup
Ready for solar, EV chargers and heat pump upgrades.
More details about future-ready switchboard setup
We also work with homeowners planning to install solar systems, EV chargers, or heat pump upgrades. We also offer commercial switchboard maintenance, strata switchboard inspection, and even same-day switchboard upgrade services where possible. For urgent needs, you can rely on our after-hours / emergency electrician Launceston team to get you back up and running quickly.
Testing and maintenance
Switchboard testing and preventative maintenance
Regular electrical safety testing is central to keeping your switchboard compliant and your household protected. Every test we carry out is performed against AS/NZS 3000 and current Tasmanian regulatory compliance requirements, so you have documented proof your system meets the standard your insurer or landlord expects.
Rather than treating testing as a one-off event, we recommend a periodic schedule tailored to your property’s age and usage, giving you an ongoing record of RCD response times, earth continuity, and insulation condition. This is the same documentation strata managers and rental property owners need on file for audits and insurance renewals.
- Homeowners
- Landlords
- Strata managers
- Insurance renewals
What we test and record
AS/NZS 3000
RCD push-button and trip-time testing
We test every safety switch (RCD) to make sure it responds within milliseconds during a fault. Quick reaction times are essential for keeping your home and family safe when an issue occurs. Accurate testing also ensures your system complies with Tasmanian electrical safety standards. RCD testing
Thermal imaging scans
We use thermal imaging to locate hidden hotspots in your switchboard before they become serious problems. These scans are part of our thermal scan & report process, helping detect early signs of overheating, loose connections, or worn components that could lead to faults or fire risks. Thermal imaging
Earth continuity and polarity verification
We measure earth continuity and confirm polarity to make sure safety devices, such as RCDs, trip when they should. Proper testing ensures your protection systems activate as designed during a fault.
Insulation resistance testing
Over time, wiring insulation can break down and allow hidden current leakage. We perform an insulation resistance test to check for damaged or deteriorated wiring that could lead to short circuits or power failures.
Results are documented for your records, insurer, landlord or strata manager.
Who we help
Common cases we handle
At Mance Electrical, we see a lot of switchboard upgrades, testing, and repairs across Launceston homes and businesses. Many of these requests come from safety concerns, insurance requirements, or upgrades needed to handle today’s electrical demands. Here’s why these services matter and what can happen if issues are left unchecked:
- Strata and rental
Strata and rental property inspections
Strata complexes and rental homes need switchboards that protect every unit equally.
Read more about strata and rental property inspections
Outdated boards with missing RCDs or unbalanced circuits can leave property owners legally liable if a tenant is injured due to faulty protection. We carry out a full strata switchboard inspection to identify safety gaps, perform load balancing, and make sure all circuits are labelled clearly for easier fault tracing.
- Businesses
Commercial and small business maintenance
For cafes, shops, offices, and warehouses, an overloaded or untested switchboard can cause expensive downtime.
Read more about commercial and small business maintenance
A single tripped circuit could shut down EFTPOS machines, fridges, security systems, or essential equipment. We perform preventative testing, including thermal imaging, and RCD trip-time checks, to catch hidden faults before they interrupt operations or damage stock and hardware.
- Homeowners
Solar and EV integration
Planning solar panels, batteries, or an EV charger? An outdated or overloaded switchboard can create safety risks and limit system performance.
Read more about solar and ev integration
Without the right configuration, solar exports may fail, batteries may not charge correctly, or EV chargers could overload your existing circuits. We prepare your switchboard for solar integration, ensuring proper RCD protection, load balancing, and safe capacity expansion.
- All properties
Insurance and defect rectifications
After inspections or electrical incidents, insurers and auditors often require a switchboard upgrade to bring your system up to code.
Read more about insurance and defect rectifications
Ignoring defect notices can lead to rejected insurance claims, fines, or continued safety hazards. We work with you to replace non-compliant components, certify the upgrade, and provide a Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate so you’re fully covered.
- Older homes
Meter box upgrade
Outdated meter boxes often lack the space and protection modern systems require.
Read more about meter box upgrade
Old enclosures may leave cables exposed, increase the risk of overheating, and fail to meet current Tasmanian safety standards. A faulty or undersized meter box can also make it harder to add solar panels, EV chargers, or new circuits safely. Upgrading ensures better protection for your wiring and reduces the risk of electrical faults or fire hazards.
- Older homes
Ceramic fuse replacement
Ceramic fuses are one of the biggest red flags we see during inspections.
Read more about ceramic fuse replacement
These old fuses were never designed for today’s power-hungry homes, which means they often fail under high loads. A single blown fuse might seem harmless, but repeated failures can indicate overheating and create a serious fire risk. We replace them with modern RCDs and RCBOs using a proper RCBO-per-circuit configuration, which trips faster, protects against electric shock, and safeguards your appliances.
- High-demand homes
Three-phase switchboard installations
With more homes installing EV chargers, ducted heat pumps, induction cooktops, and battery storage systems, single-phase setups can quickly become overloaded.
Read more about three-phase switchboard installations
Without a proper upgrade, you might experience constant tripping, flickering lights, or damaged equipment. Installing a three-phase switchboard distributes the load evenly, giving you more stable power and future-proofing your home for high-demand appliances.
Pair your upgrade with a smoke alarm check
A failing switchboard rarely gives much warning before it becomes a fire risk, which is why we recommend pairing any switchboard upgrade with a check of your home’s smoke detector coverage.
Read more about smoke alarm checks
Tasmania’s residential smoke alarm requirements have tightened in recent years, and an outdated switchboard combined with ageing smoke detectors is one of the more common gaps we find during inspections. Addressing both at once gives you a complete safety upgrade rather than a partial fix.
How it works
How a switchboard upgrade works
Step 1: Inspect your board and load
We check your existing switchboard, map your circuits and assess the load from the appliances you have now and plan to add.
Step 2: Plan the right protection
We recommend the RCDs, RCBOs, SPDs or AFDDs your property needs, and coordinate with TasNetworks if your supply or meter needs work.
Step 3: Upgrade on the day
Most upgrades take 3 to 8 hours. Power is usually off while we work, and complex jobs may take a full day or a second visit.
Step 4: Test and certify
RCD trip-time, earth continuity and insulation resistance tests, then your Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate.
Expert electricians
Why choose Mance Electrical?
To experience the service and quality workmanship that has kept us in business for over 100 years phone us today on 6331 4711.
100+
Years in business, since 1920
4.9
444 Google reviews
Safety and quality
All our work across Launceston homes and businesses is tested and certified to meet Australian standards. We take safety seriously and make sure everything is completed to a high standard to protect your property, your family, and your appliances.
24/7 fast response that protects your home
If you need an electrician quickly in Launceston, our Rapid Response Team is ready to help. We do our best to work around your schedule and get to you as soon as we can, so urgent issues are handled without long delays.
Warranty and back up
With our focus on “everything Done Right,” our Launceston clients are generally very happy. If a minor issue comes up later, we’ll come back and take care of it. You won’t be left chasing someone who doesn’t follow through.
FAQs
FAQs about switchboard upgrades and repairs
Straight answers to the questions Launceston homeowners ask us most.
Still have a question?
Talk to our team. We’ll give you honest advice before we quote.
Call (03) 6331 4711Do I need an upgrade?
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
Your switchboard likely needs upgrading if you have ceramic fuses, frequent power trips, flickering lights, burning smells, or warm components. Homes in Launceston built before the 1990s often lack safety switches (RCDs), which are now essential for safety and compliance. An electrician can confirm this with a professional inspection.
Is a switchboard upgrade necessary for safety?
Yes, a switchboard upgrade significantly improves safety. Modern switchboards include safety switches (RCDs) and circuit breakers that quickly shut off power during faults, reducing the risk of electric shock and electrical fires. This is especially important in older Launceston homes.
Can I repair my switchboard instead of upgrading it?
Minor issues like replacing circuit breakers or fixing loose connections can be repaired. However, if your switchboard has ceramic fuses, lacks safety switches, or shows signs of deterioration, a full upgrade is the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution. Only licensed electricians can legally perform this work in Australia.
Does a switchboard upgrade increase property value?
Yes, a modern switchboard can increase property value and buyer confidence. It improves safety, ensures compliance with current standards, and supports modern electrical demands such as solar systems, EV chargers, and home automation, which are key selling points in Launceston’s property market.
Timing, rules and solar
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
Most switchboard upgrades in Launceston are completed within 3 to 8 hours. More complex installations, including meter relocations or major wiring upgrades, may take a full day or require additional visits. Power is usually disconnected during the process.
Are safety switches required by law in Tasmania?
Safety switches are mandatory for all new homes and electrical installations in Tasmania. While older homes are not legally required to upgrade unless major electrical work is performed, installing safety switches is strongly recommended and often required for renovations, rentals, and new circuits.
Is a switchboard upgrade required for solar installation?
Yes, in many cases. Solar installers often require a modern, compliant switchboard with safety switches and adequate capacity. If your current switchboard is outdated, an upgrade will be necessary before or during solar installation to meet Australian standards.
Do I need a licensed electrician for switchboard upgrades and repairs in Launceston?
Yes, switchboard upgrades and repairs must legally be carried out by a licensed electrician in Launceston and across Tasmania. This ensures compliance with Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000), safety regulations, and eligibility for insurance and utility approval.
Related services
Other services
See all of our residential electrician services.
- Heat pump LauncestonProfessional heat pump installation for efficient heating and cooling and lower long-term energy costs.
- EV charger installationHome EV chargers, wired and certified to Australian Standards.
- Stove and oven repairsReliable repairs for faulty or ageing kitchen appliances.
- Emergency electrical servicesHelp with urgent residential electrical issues.
Reviews
Our clients speak for us
Rated 4.9 from 444 Google reviews by Launceston homeowners and businesses.
Ready for your switchboard upgrade?
Book an inspection with a licensed Launceston electrician. Most upgrades are done in a day, and every job comes with a Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate.