Switchboard upgrades, smoke alarms and EV chargers
Old fuses, alarms past their date or a new electric car on the way? Here's how to tell what your home needs.
Why it happens
Older switchboards weren't built for today. Ceramic fuses and boards without safety switches were never designed for air-con, induction cooking, solar or EV charging.
Smoke alarms wear out. NSW law requires working smoke alarms on every level of a home, and manufacturers generally recommend replacing alarms every 10 years.
EV chargers draw a lot of power for hours. A wall charger usually needs a dedicated circuit and a switchboard that can handle it.
💡 What you may not have considered
- If your board has no TEST buttons, it probably has no safety switch (RCD) protection.
- Check the date on the back of your smoke alarms. Interconnected alarms all sound together, so you hear a fire on another level.
- Before an EV charger or solar, your switchboard may need upgrading first. Doing both at once saves a second visit.
- Landlords in NSW have specific smoke alarm duties for rental properties, including regular checks.
✅ 3 things to think about
- How old is your switchboard, and does it trip often or feel warm?
- Are there working smoke alarms on every level, and are they under 10 years old?
- Are you planning an EV, solar, a battery or air-con in the next few years?
Talk to Patrick
NSW licensed contractor 400645C · 5.0★ from 76 hipages ratings · Based in Punchbowl
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General information only. Every property is different, and Patrick will advise on your specific situation.