We were called out to a home in Hurlstone Park with no power. The old 6mm service mains had burnt, and the problem couldn't be rectified without a full switchboard upgrade, relocated to the side of the home to meet current AS/NZS 3000 requirements.
The house had lost power completely, and the owners called us out as an emergency.
On inspection, the old 6mm service mains feeding the original switchboard had burnt. The original meter panel was in an old timber cupboard mounted high above the front entry, with ceramic fuses and older breakers alongside two meters.
The problem couldn't be rectified without a full switchboard upgrade. To meet current AS/NZS 3000 requirements, the board was relocated to the side of the home.
AS/NZS 3000, the Australian wiring rules, sets out how a switchboard has to be installed, protected and earthed. When a board is upgraded, the new work has to meet the current rules, which is why an old board can't always just be patched after a fault. A compliant board has RCD protection on final sub-circuits, a sound main earth and labelled circuits, and is installed in a suitable, accessible position. Each new board is tested and certified with a CCEW.
If you smell burning or see scorch marks, keep clear of the board and call us. If the whole street is out, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. We take 24/7 emergency call-outs across the Inner West.
Service mains are the cables that bring power from the supply point, such as an overhead connection at the eave, to the meter and main switch. If they fail or burn, the whole house can lose power.
Work on the service mains, the meter or the supply side of the main switch is level 1 and 2 work arranged through accredited partners. We coordinate it with the switchboard work so the job is completed as one.
Yes. We take 24/7 emergency call-outs. If your neighbours are also without power, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88 first, as it is likely a network outage.
Sometimes a fault can't be made safe on the existing board. On this job the problem couldn't be rectified without a full switchboard upgrade, relocated to the side of the home, to meet current AS/NZS 3000 requirements.
Send us a few details and we'll get back to you with a clear, upfront quote.