A switchboard assessment should establish its condition, circuit protection and suitability for the work you have planned. An old appearance or a tripping device does not, by itself, decide whether the answer is a repair, additional protection or full replacement.
When to seek help
Heat damage, sparking, a burning smell, exposed wiring or water near electrical equipment need urgent professional advice. Keep clear of the affected equipment; do not remove covers or touch it to check whether it is hot. For fire or immediate danger, call 000.
Repeated tripping also needs investigation, but it does not identify the cause. Avoid repeatedly resetting a device to keep equipment operating. An apparently healthy new board can still be connected to a faulty circuit or appliance.
Three different scopes that are often called an upgrade
| Possible scope | What it means for the discussion |
|---|---|
| Repair or component work | Address a diagnosed defect or suitable individual change. |
| Additional circuit protection | Assess whether the existing board can accommodate the required compatible devices. |
| Board replacement with related work | Define the replacement, circuit work, earthing, mains and any other items actually included. |
These are planning categories, not a remote prescription. Ask why the recommended scope is appropriate and what it will not change. A new enclosure does not automatically rewire the house or increase the network connection capacity.
Protection and capacity are separate questions
Fuses and ordinary breakers address overcurrent. Safety switches address residual-current faults, while RCBOs combine those functions. Schneider Electric’s explanation distinguishes the devices; no protective device eliminates every electrical risk.
A free slot in the board is not proof of available electrical capacity. The assessment should consider the existing installation and the loads you intend to add. Nor does fitting an EV charger automatically require replacing the entire board.
What to ask for in the quote
- The existing issue and the reason for the proposed solution.
- Devices, circuits, enclosure and related wiring included.
- Any consumer-mains, metering or distributor work.
- Access requirements, outage arrangements and dependencies.
- Testing, inspection arrangements and certification.
- Exclusions, provisional allowances and variation approval.
Compare the same scope. A cheap quote is not proof of unsafe work, and a premium price is not proof of quality. Ask for explanations where two recommendations differ.
Certification and inspection
Electrical installation work requires the appropriate Certificate of Electrical Safety. Prescribed work also needs an independent licensed inspection before it is energised. The actual scope determines the classification; not every task inside a board is prescribed. See Energy Safe’s classification guidance and its customer COES guidance.
Ask who organises the inspection where required and when you will receive the records. Do not assume a generic “permit included” line explains the certification, distributor and building matters relevant to the job.
Plan the outage and follow-up
Tell the contractor about medical equipment, work-from-home requirements, access restrictions and anything needing a planned shutdown. Confirm arrangements with the relevant equipment provider where necessary. Do not rely on an unverified promise that all work will finish in one day.
Keep the final scope, circuit information, instructions and certificates. Ask which existing issues were resolved, which remain outside the work, and what further assessment is recommended.
Contact Amber Pro about a switchboard assessment with your property details and planned changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a safety-switch installation the same as a full upgrade?
No. It may be a smaller scope if the existing installation is suitable. Ask what needs changing and why.
Does replacement bring the entire house to current standards?
It should not be described as a whole-house upgrade unless that complete scope was assessed, carried out and documented.
How much will it cost?
The number of circuits, condition, access and related works affect the price. This guide does not provide a fixed quote or current pricing range.