Most people only think about their electrical setup when something trips, flickers or fails. These guides cover the questions readers ask most, written in plain English so you can make a confident call before you spend a cent. This is a guide and not a substitute for advice from a licensed electrician.
A three phase switchboard like the one you may find in a home, workshop or small business.
Each one covers a topic that comes up often, with the warning signs and trade-offs spelled out.
Many homes run on a single phase supply, which is why the ducted system someone wants may not be possible without an upgrade. This guide walks through where to look on your switchboard, what the meter box tells you, and the loads that often force the change.
Old ceramic fuses, a board that is warm to touch, or a main switch that trips whenever the oven and dryer run together are all clues the board may be past its use-by date. This guide lists the signs that mean a switchboard upgrade may be the safer, cheaper long-term fix.
This guide breaks down the running costs of a mid-sized ducted system across a typical January, what zoning does to your bill, and the thermostat mistakes that quietly add hundreds to a quarterly invoice.
Adding a 7kW car charger on top of solar and an existing air conditioner can push a single phase supply to its limit. Here is how a load assessment works and when three phase may be the smarter path.
You do not need a multimeter to spot trouble. Run through this list once a season.
If any of these fail, stop using the circuit and contact a licensed electrician rather than opening the board yourself. Mains power is not a DIY item. Always check the electrician's licence number before any work begins.
Australian summers put real strain on older wiring and air conditioning. These signs rarely fix themselves.
Here is what a typical process with a licensed electrician can look like.
Describe what is happening and the electrician can advise whether it sounds like a repair, an upgrade or something that needs an on-site assessment. Ten minutes on the phone can save a wasted call-out.
The electrician tests the circuits, photographs the switchboard and checks your supply type. You should receive a written quote with the scope, the parts and the compliance work listed separately.
Once you approve the quote, a date is locked in. Most switchboard and three phase upgrades are done in a single day with power restored before the electrician leaves.
Every job is tested, and you should receive the relevant electrical safety paperwork for your state or territory before the electrician packs up.
Skip the jargon. Here is what the common terms on a quote can actually mean for your home or business.
The single switch that cuts power to the whole property. If it trips, the fault is usually upstream of the individual circuits.
A device that cuts power within milliseconds when it detects current leaking to earth.
A supply using three active conductors instead of one, allowing much larger loads such as ducted systems, lifts and commercial kitchens.
Paperwork used in some states and territories to show that electrical work was done and tested. Keep it with your property records.
Ask a licensed electrician to assess your switchboard and supply type. They can tell you whether it is a simple fix or something bigger, based on the place itself.
Read the full guide