An old meter box with asbestos backing, ceramic fuses and no room for new circuits is common in Inner West homes. Upgrading it usually involves two kinds of work: your switchboard, and the supply and metering that belong to the network side.
Ring 0421 772 661 to talk it through. We're a licensed electrician in Hurlstone Park handling the switchboard work and coordinating the rest so the job runs in the right order.
In many older Sydney houses the meter box holds two different things on one panel. There's the electricity meter and the service protection (the network's fuse), which are part of the supply arrangement with Ausgrid and your retailer. Then there are your own main switch, fuses or circuit breakers and safety switches, which together make up the switchboard.
That split matters, because different people are allowed to work on each part. A licensed electrician like us handles the switchboard: main switch, circuit breakers, RCDs or RCBOs, and the circuits leaving the board. Work on the consumer mains, the service fuse, the meter and the connection to the street is arranged with Ausgrid and generally needs an Accredited Service Provider (Level 2). We're not a Level 2 provider. We do our part and coordinate with one, so you're not left managing two separate trades. Our explainer on what a Level 2 electrician is covers why.
Some upgrades are driven by safety and some by what you want to add to the house. Often it's both.
Rewireable fuses give no safety switch protection and are easy to over-fuse. See ceramic fuse switchboard replacement.
Many older panels are likely to contain asbestos. It's stable if left alone, but drilling or cutting it isn't on, so new work often means a new enclosure.
Adding an induction cooktop, EV charger, heat pump or air conditioning needs spare space and capacity.
Installers often ask for a compliant board with space before they'll connect. Our solar and battery readiness checklist helps.
Scorch marks, buzzing, a warm main switch or a box that's rusted or letting water in.
Replacing gas appliances can add significant load, which may mean a supply upgrade too.
We start with a site visit: what's in the box now, the condition of the enclosure, the circuits in the house, your current and planned appliances, and whether the existing supply has enough capacity. That tells us whether you need a switchboard replacement only, or a switchboard plus supply changes such as moving the meter, upgrading the consumer mains or changing from single to three-phase.
You get a written quote for our part and a clear explanation of the network side. Where supply work is needed, it's applied for and arranged through Ausgrid's process and carried out by a Level 2 accredited service provider, and we plan our work around their dates. Timing on that side depends on the network, so we don't promise dates that aren't ours to promise.
On the day, power is off while the old board is removed and the new one is fitted, circuits are re-terminated and labelled, and safety switch protection is added. Every circuit is tested to AS/NZS 3000 before power is restored, and we lodge a CCEW for the work.
The main factors are whether the existing enclosure can be reused or must be replaced, the number of circuits, whether any circuits fail testing and need repair before they can go onto RCD protection, and whether supply work is involved. Moving a meter box to a new position, or relocating it during a renovation, adds cable runs and coordination.
Inner West terraces and semis add their own quirks: meter boxes on narrow side passages, boxes inside front verandahs, or shared arrangements in older subdivided houses. Our switchboard upgrade cost guide covers the switchboard side in more detail.
Not quite. The switchboard is your main switch, breakers and safety switches. The meter and service fuse are part of the supply. Many jobs involve both, but they're done by different accredited people.
No. We do the switchboard and circuit work as a licensed electrical contractor and coordinate with a Level 2 accredited service provider for any consumer mains, service fuse or metering work.
Usually not directly. Supply changes go through Ausgrid's application process, which the accredited provider handles. We'll explain what's involved for your property.
Leave it alone and don't drill it. If the panel needs removing, it's handled under the appropriate asbestos procedures as part of the job planning.
For the switchboard changeover, power is off for most of the working day. We'll confirm timing in the quote so you can plan around it.
NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 332956C · Fully insured · Since 2016 · Based in Hurlstone Park
Excellent electrician Blue Link Electrical was honest, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer my questions The work was completed quickly without rushing and everything works perfectly Will be using them
Very professional and reliable service. Blue Link Electrical were punctual, friendly, and knew exactly what they were doing. The job was completed to a high standard and the place was left clean. Highly recommend to anyone needing electrical work.
Can't fault the service from Blue Link Electrical From first contact to job completion everything was smooth and professional Quality workmanship and great attention to detail. One of the best trades experiences I've had. Make sure you do them slowly
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