Switchboard Upgrades, Testing & Maintenance
Switchboard Upgrades, Testing & Maintenance in Launceston
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 We’ll assess your system, replace outdated parts (RCDs, RCBOs, SPDs, AFDDs), coordinate with TasNetworks if needed, and issue a Tasmanian Electrical Compliance Certificate so you’re safe, compliant and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.
A switchboard upgrade is the process of replacing or modernising your property’s electrical switchboard (also called a fuse box or distribution board). This typically involves upgrading old ceramic fuses or outdated panels to a modern system with circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs).
What is Switchboard upgrading?
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.
What’s included in our upgrade (residential & commercial)
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 & 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
For larger homes, small businesses, or properties running multiple high-demand appliances, we provide a three-phase switchboard upgrade to deliver stable and balanced power. This ensures your system can handle heat pumps, EV chargers, and other heavy loads without overloading circuits.
Load Assessment & Circuit Mapping
Before any switchboard upgrade in Launceston, we perform a full load assessment for switchboard performance to measure how much power your property uses. We balance the circuits where needed, map your system properly, and provide labelling & circuit identification for easier troubleshooting in the future.
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
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
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
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.
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 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.
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.
Switchboard testing & preventative maintenance
RCD Push-Button & 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.
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.
Insulation Resistance Testing
Over time, wiring insulation can break down and allow hidden current leakage. We perform a insulation resistance test to check for damaged or deteriorated wiring that could lead to short circuits or power failures.
Earth Continuity & 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.
Common use-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:
Outdated meter boxes often lack the space and protection modern systems require. 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.
Ceramic fuses are one of the biggest red flags we see during inspections. 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.
With more homes installing EV chargers, ducted heat pumps, induction cooktops, and battery storage systems, single-phase setups can quickly become overloaded. 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.
Planning solar panels, batteries, or an EV charger? An outdated or overloaded switchboard can create safety risks and limit system performance. 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.
After inspections or electrical incidents, insurers and auditors often require a switchboard upgrade to bring your system up to code. 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.
Strata complexes and rental homes need switchboards that protect every unit equally. 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.
For cafes, shops, offices, and warehouses, an overloaded or untested switchboard can cause expensive downtime. 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.
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
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.
Other services
We provide switchboard upgrades, testing and maintenance to help improve electrical safety and capacity.
Our team offers professional heat pump installation for households looking to improve hot water efficiency and reduce long-term energy costs.
For faulty or ageing kitchen appliances, we carry out reliable stove and oven repairs to keep your home operating safely.
If something goes wrong unexpectedly, our emergency electrical services are available to assist with urgent residential electrical issues.
Our clients speak for us
Would highly recommend Mance Electrical.
Thanks guys.
They turned up got the job done and was non stop until everything was done as expected. I Will use this company again in the future. Well deserved 5 stars.
On the day the job was completed quickly with advice on what will need doing down the track to maintain our electricity efficiency.
He was too helpful, brought my bins in for me & took care of me like I was family, he delivered quality craftsmanship & even had time to help me put my slippers on when the afternoon cooled off.
Great bloke & I hope to one day call him a mate.
FAQs about Switchboard Upgrades and Repairing
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.
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.
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—key selling points in Launceston’s property market.
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.