Switchboard Upgrades Clontarf
On Electrical provides switchboard upgrades for homes and small businesses across the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay region. We’re based in Clontarf and have been working on switchboards in this area for close to 10 years. We are a fully licensed electrical contractor that offer fee quotes. One-year workmanship warranty on all switchboard upgrades.
How we help
Electrical installations
Appliances & power point installs.
Repairs & maintenance
Fuse box upgrades and more.
Safety & testing
Smoke alarms to Tag & Testing.
Brands We Use
How Do You Know If Your Switchboard Needs Upgrading?
Most people don’t think about their switchboard until something goes wrong. That’s fair enough. It sits in a cupboard or on the side of the house and you never really have a reason to look at it. But it’s the single most important piece of electrical equipment in your home. Everything runs through it. And if it’s not up to the job, it puts your home, your family and your appliances at risk.
Here are the most common signs we see when a switchboard is overdue for an upgrade.
» Your Power Keeps Tripping
If you’re constantly resetting circuit breakers or safety switches, your switchboard is struggling with the load. This is one of the most common calls we get across the Redcliffe Peninsula, particularly in older homes that were wired for very different electrical demands than what people put on them today.
» Your Insurance Company Has Flagged It
A lot of insurance companies are now looking at the age and condition of switchboards when assessing risk. Some are steering towards voiding policies if the board isn’t up to current spec. If your insurer has raised it with you, it’s worth getting it inspected sooner rather than later.
» You Still Have Ceramic Fuses
If you open your switchboard and see ceramic fuses with rewirable wire instead of modern circuit breakers and safety switches, your board is outdated. These old fuse systems don’t offer the same protection as modern RCDs (residual current devices), which cut the power in milliseconds if they detect a fault.
» You’re Adding New Circuits or Appliances
Getting a split system installed, adding a pool pump, putting in an EV charger, or doing a renovation? Your existing switchboard may not have the capacity for the additional circuits. Under Queensland regulations, any new circuit work requires RCD protection, so if your board doesn’t have it, an upgrade will be part of the job.
Why Local Homeowners Trust Us With Their Switchboard Upgrades
Switchboard work isn’t something you want to go with the cheapest quote on. It’s the backbone of your home’s electrical system and it needs to be done right. Here’s why homeowners across the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay choose us.
» We’ll Tell You Honestly If You Need One
Not every switchboard needs a full upgrade. Sometimes a simple repair or the addition of a safety switch is all that’s needed. We’ll inspect your current board and tell you straight whether it needs replacing, whether it can be upgraded with some modifications, or whether it’s actually still doing its job fine. We’re not in the business of selling upgrades people don’t need.
» We Know the Older Homes on the Peninsula
A lot of the homes across Redcliffe, Scarborough, Margate and Clontarf were built in the 60s, 70s and 80s with electrical systems that have been patched and added to over the years. We’ve worked on hundreds of these boards and we understand what’s involved. It’s not always straightforward because previous work may not have been done to the best standard, wiring may have deteriorated, and there can be surprises behind the panel. We factor all of that in when we quote.
» Quality Brands, Proper Warranties
We use Hager, Clipsal and Vultex switchboard components. Every upgrade comes with a one year workmanship warranty from us, plus whatever manufacturer warranty applies to the individual products installed. We’ll explain what we’re putting in and why, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
» Clean, Labelled and Compliant
When we finish a switchboard upgrade, every circuit is clearly labelled, the board is neat and tidy, and the work is fully compliant with current Queensland electrical safety standards. We test everything before we leave and walk you through what’s been done. If there’s a fault down the track, anyone who opens that board will be able to see exactly what’s what.
What Does a Switchboard Upgrade Actually Involve?
If you’ve never had a switchboard upgrade done before, here’s what to expect. The process is straightforward and in most cases can be completed in a single visit.
We start by inspecting your current switchboard to assess its condition, what protection devices are installed, and whether the existing wiring is in good shape. We’ll talk you through what needs to be done and give you a quote upfront before any work starts.
If you go ahead, we’ll isolate the power, remove the old switchboard components, and install a new board fitted with modern circuit breakers, RCDs (safety switches) and surge protection where required. We’ll also check the condition of the cabling coming into the board and address any issues there if needed.
Once everything is installed, we test every circuit individually to make sure it’s all working correctly. We label each circuit clearly so you (and any future electrician) can easily identify what controls what. Then we restore power and walk you through the new board before we leave.
For most standard residential switchboard upgrades, the whole job takes somewhere between two to four hours depending on the complexity and the condition of the existing wiring. We’ll give you a more accurate time estimate when we quote.
Your power will need to be off for the duration of the work. We always let you know in advance how long to expect so you can plan around it.
Why Redcliffe Peninsula Locals Call Us First
We’re not a big franchise sending a random contractor from Brisbane. We’re a local, owner-operated business based right here in Clontarf. When you call, you know who’s coming, and you know they’ll actually turn up when they say they will.
We Show Up On Time, Every Time
We give you a time frame and stick to it, so you don’t have to wait around wondering if someone’s actually coming. If we’re running late, you’ll get a phone call. Reliability and communication are what set us apart.
Local to Clontarf & Redcliffe
Our base is in Clontarf, which means we’re 15–20 minutes from most jobs across the Redcliffe Peninsula, North Lakes and Deception Bay.
20 Years Experience in the Trade
With nearly two decades of experience, there isn’t much we haven’t seen. From old ceramic fuse boards in Redcliffe’s older homes to modern switchboard upgrades and split-system installations, we diagnose problems quickly because we’ve dealt with them hundreds of times before.
Licensed, Insured & Honest
Fully licensed electrical contractor with a restricted refrigeration licence for split system air conditioning. We offer free quotes, a one-year workmanship warranty on all jobs, and upfront pricing.
Got an Electrical Emergency? Call Us Now
Google Reviews
Bjorn from On Electrical has been our electrician for years. He is professional and friendly, and just easy to work with overall. He communicated clearly, showed up on time, and got everything done without any hassle. I’d happily recommend him to anyone needing a reliable electrician.
Excellent service at a good price. Knowledgeable, always on time, efficient, tidy and goes out of his way to make sure the work is perfect. Bjorn is reliable, genuine and helpful (he was able to find the exact model of extractor fan and much better and more stylish light fittings than the ones I considered buying at a big store). Highly recommended. Thank you Bjorn! Fantastic job!
Great service. Easy communication and quality work. Highly recommend.
I was so impressed with the help we got Our family had a hospital situation and I rang and asked if we could get this sorted. Nothing was to much of a problem I would thoroughly recommend anyone needing an electrician to use this company. You have no idea how stressful it was for our family. God bless you Our family is just so grateful.
What brands and products do you use?
We get asked about brands a lot, and we think that’s a good thing. Your switchboard protects your entire home, so the products inside it matter. We don’t just grab whatever is cheapest from the wholesaler. We use brands that we trust and that have solid warranties behind them.
Hager: Hager is a well known name in switchboard components across Australia and worldwide. We use their circuit breakers, RCDs and enclosures regularly. They’re reliable, well built and come with strong manufacturer warranty support. Hager gear is a good fit for most residential switchboard upgrades and we’ve had consistently good results with their products over the years.
Clipsal: Clipsal is one of the most recognised electrical brands in Australia and has been around for decades. Their switchboard components, safety switches and circuit breakers are widely used across the industry and for good reason. They’re easy to source, well supported and most electricians know the product range inside out. For homeowners who want a brand they’ve heard of and trust, Clipsal is a solid choice.
Vultex: Vultex is another brand we use and recommend, particularly for their switchboard enclosures and circuit protection products. They manufacture locally and their gear holds up well in the Queensland climate, which matters more than people realise. Salt air and humidity on the Redcliffe Peninsula can take a toll on electrical components over time, so using quality enclosures is important.
Each brand has different warranty periods and product ranges, and we’ll walk you through the options before we start any work. We’re not locked into one supplier so we can recommend what makes sense for your home and your budget. If you want to do your own research beforehand, we’re happy to answer questions about any of the products we use.
How much does a switchboard upgrade cost?
It depends on the condition of your existing board, how many circuits you need, and whether any additional work is required on the wiring. A straightforward residential switchboard upgrade typically falls within a range, but every home is different. We provide free quotes and upfront pricing so you’ll know the full cost before we start. No hidden fees, no surprises.
How long does a switchboard upgrade take?
Most residential switchboard upgrades are completed in a single visit, usually somewhere between two and four hours. More complex jobs involving older wiring or additional circuits can take longer. We’ll give you an accurate time estimate when we quote and we’ll let you know how long your power will need to be off so you can plan accordingly.
Will my power be off the whole time?
Yes, the power needs to be off while we work on the switchboard. There’s no safe way around that. We work efficiently to keep the downtime as short as possible and we’ll always give you advance notice so you can plan your day around it. For most jobs it’s a few hours.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade to install air conditioning?
In many cases, yes. A split system air conditioner requires its own dedicated circuit with RCD protection. If your existing switchboard doesn’t have space for an additional circuit or doesn’t have RCDs fitted, it will need to be upgraded as part of the air conditioning installation. We hold a restricted refrigeration licence so we can handle both the electrical and air conditioning sides of the job.
What's the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?
Old style ceramic fuses use a piece of wire that melts when the circuit is overloaded. The problem is they only protect the wiring, not the person. Once the wire melts, you have to manually replace it. A modern circuit breaker does the same job but it trips automatically and can be reset with a switch. An RCD (residual current device or safety switch) goes a step further. It monitors the flow of electricity and cuts the power in milliseconds if it detects a fault that could cause electrocution. Modern switchboards use a combination of circuit breakers and RCDs to protect both your wiring and your family.
Will upgrading my switchboard fix my power tripping issues?
In most cases, yes. If your power keeps tripping because your switchboard can’t handle the load or because the protection devices are old and faulty, an upgrade will resolve that. However, sometimes the tripping is caused by a fault elsewhere in your wiring or by a faulty appliance. We’ll diagnose the root cause before recommending an upgrade so you’re not paying for work you don’t need.
My insurance company said I need to upgrade my switchboard. Is that common?
It’s becoming increasingly common. A number of insurance companies are now assessing the age and condition of switchboards as part of their risk evaluation. Some are advising homeowners that their policy may be affected if the board isn’t brought up to current standards. If you’ve received a letter or a call from your insurer about your switchboard, it’s worth getting it inspected sooner rather than later. We can assess it and provide documentation of the upgrade for your insurance records.