Switchboard upgrades and RCDs in WA: signs it’s time
Signs your switchboard needs an upgrade, what WA rules say about RCDs when you sell or rent a home, and what a switchboard upgrade involves.
Your switchboard is the safety centre of your home. Many Perth houses still run on boards installed decades ago, long before solar, batteries, induction cooktops and EV chargers. Here is how to tell if yours is due for an upgrade.
Signs your switchboard needs attention
- ceramic rewireable fuses instead of circuit breakers
- no RCDs (safety switches), or only one covering part of the house
- a board containing asbestos backing, common in older homes
- breakers that trip often, or switches that feel warm
- no room to add circuits for solar, a battery, air conditioning or an EV charger
- flickering lights or a burning smell near the board
WA’s RCD rules for sales and rentals
Western Australia has specific requirements for residual current devices (RCDs) in homes that are sold or rented. In general, a residential property must have at least two RCDs protecting the power point and lighting circuits before ownership changes, and rental properties must have them installed. Check the current details with Building and Energy WA or ask us. We can test your existing RCDs and install compliant ones before settlement or a new lease.
What an upgrade involves
- Inspection. We check your existing board, wiring, earthing and the loads you have now and plan to add.
- Fixed-price quote. You get one price covering the new board, breakers, RCBOs or RCDs, labour and any network paperwork.
- Installation. Most homes are without power for a few hours on the day. We label every circuit clearly.
- Testing and certificate. Every circuit is tested, and you receive a Certificate of Compliance and the testing results.
Planning solar, a battery or an EV?
If you are adding new loads, it is usually cheaper to upgrade the board at the same time than to do it twice. We design the board around what you have planned, not just what you have today.
See our full range of electrical services.
Common questions
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
Most residential upgrades are done in a single day, with the power off for a few hours.
What is the difference between an RCD and a circuit breaker?
A circuit breaker protects wiring from overload. An RCD detects current leaking to earth, such as through a person, and cuts power in a fraction of a second.
Do I need an upgrade to install solar?
Not always, but older boards with fuses or no spare space often need work. We check this as part of every solar design.
