The Problem

We recently attended a home in Marrickville after the customer noticed their lights had started flickering.

Flickering lights are something we always recommend getting checked, as they can be a sign of an issue with the electrical supply, switchboard, connections or wiring within the property.

After inspecting the electrical installation, we found the existing switchboard was still fitted with old ceramic fuses, with some of the equipment showing visible signs of burning and damage. Given the age and condition of the existing fuse equipment, we recommended upgrading the switchboard internals to modern RCBO safety switch protection to improve the safety and reliability of the electrical installation.

The existing switchboard enclosure itself was still suitable to use, so rather than replacing the entire board, we were able to retain the enclosure and completely upgrade the protection equipment inside.

What We Did

Our electrician removed the old ceramic fuses and damaged switchboard equipment before upgrading the existing single-phase switchboard.

The new switchboard protection included:

• 1 × 16A RCBO
• 2 × 20A RCBOs
• 1 × 32A RCBO
• 1 × 32A circuit breaker
• 1 × 63A circuit breaker
• 1 × whole-home surge protector
• 1 × new active link

The existing circuits were transferred across to the appropriate new protection devices, with the cabling stripped, re-terminated and securely connected.

We also reorganised and tidied the internal switchboard wiring so the finished installation was neat, accessible and easier to service in the future.

Level 2 Disconnect & Reconnect of Mains Power

As part of the Marrickville switchboard upgrade, our Level 2 electrician carried out a disconnect and reconnect of the mains power supply so the electrical work could be completed safely.

Once the new switchboard equipment had been installed and tested, our Level 2 electrician reconnected the mains power, sealed the service fuses and completed the necessary electrical and network paperwork for submission to Ausgrid, the electrical distributor for the property.

Having our own Level 2 electricians allowed us to manage both the switchboard upgrade and the required work on the incoming mains supply as part of the same job.

Upgrading from Ceramic Fuses to RCBO Protection

Replacing the old ceramic fuses was an important part of this job, particularly because some of the existing equipment was already showing signs of burning and heat damage.

The new RCBOs (Residual Current Circuit Breakers with Overcurrent Protection) provide combined overload, short-circuit and electrocution protection for the nominated circuits.

Individual RCBO protection also means that if a fault develops on one protected circuit, that circuit can trip independently rather than unnecessarily taking out multiple circuits throughout the home.

This gives the customer a much more modern and practical level of electrical protection compared with the old ceramic fuse setup.

Whole-Home Surge Protection

While upgrading the switchboard, we also installed a whole-home surge protection device.

Surge protection at the main switchboard helps protect the home’s electrical system and connected appliances against sudden voltage spikes and electrical surges.

We often explain surge protection as being similar to airbags in your car – you don’t notice it during normal everyday use, but it’s there to provide an additional layer of protection when it matters most.

This can help protect equipment throughout the home, including TVs, computers, refrigerators, appliances, lighting and other sensitive electronics.

Testing, Compliance & Ausgrid Documentation

Once the new switchboard equipment was installed, our electricians tested the RCBO safety switches, circuit breakers and associated electrical circuits before the property was re-energised.

Our Level 2 electrician then completed the mains reconnection, sealed the service fuses and prepared the required paperwork for submission to Ausgrid.

Modern RCBO protection is also more sensitive than older ceramic fuse protection, meaning an upgrade can sometimes uncover existing wiring faults or electrical leakage elsewhere within an older installation. Where this occurs, additional electrical fault finding may be required to identify and repair the underlying problem.

The Result

What started with the customer noticing flickering lights in their Marrickville home led to the discovery of an ageing switchboard containing burnt and damaged ceramic fuse equipment.

We removed the old ceramic fuses and upgraded the switchboard with individual RCBO safety switches, new circuit breakers, an active link and whole-home surge protection.

Our Level 2 electrician also completed the mains disconnect and reconnect, sealed the service fuses and completed the required Ausgrid paperwork.

The customer was left with a safer, cleaner and more modern single-phase switchboard, with improved circuit protection and additional surge protection for the home’s electrical system and appliances.

The Problem

A customer in Earlwood contacted Bright Force Electrical after losing power to their property. Ausgrid had attended the property and advised the customer that they needed a licensed electrician to inspect the existing switchboard.

Our electricians attended to assess the electrical installation and identified that the existing single-phase switchboard protection equipment and consumer mains required upgrading before the property could be left with a safe and reliable electrical supply.

Work Completed

Our electricians completed a single-phase switchboard upgrade in Earlwood, along with replacement of the property’s consumer mains. The work included:

• Isolation and inspection of the existing electrical supply
• Removal of obsolete switchboard protection equipment
• Upgrade of the single-phase switchboard internals within the existing enclosure
• Installation of new individual safety switches (electrocution protection devices) for the existing circuits
• Transfer and termination of the existing circuits onto the new protection devices
• Looming, dressing and organising the internal switchboard cabling
• Supply and installation of new 16mm² XLPE single-phase consumer mains cable
• Installation of insulated Bramite switchboard backing
• Testing of the switchboard, safety switches and associated electrical circuits
• Testing of the new consumer mains, including insulation resistance, polarity and continuity
• Re-energising and commissioning of the electrical installation

New 16mm² Consumer Mains

As part of the electrical upgrade, the existing incoming supply cable was replaced with new 16mm² XLPE single-phase consumer mains.

The new consumer mains were securely installed and correctly terminated between the supply connection and the main switchboard, providing a durable and reliable incoming electrical supply for the property.

Switchboard Safety Upgrade

The existing switchboard enclosure was retained while the internal electrical protection equipment was upgraded.

New individual safety switches were installed to provide improved protection for the property’s electrical circuits. Individual circuit protection also helps isolate an electrical fault to the affected circuit rather than unnecessarily interrupting power to multiple circuits.

An insulated Bramite backing panel was also installed within the switchboard as part of the upgrade to improve the fire-protective characteristics of the installation.

Safety & Compliance

The switchboard and consumer mains upgrade was completed with consideration to the applicable requirements of AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, including requirements relating to switchboard wiring and fire-protective measures.

The new 16mm² XLPE consumer mains, safety switch protection and switchboard equipment were tested before the electrical installation was re-energised and commissioned.

The Result

The Earlwood property received an upgraded single-phase switchboard with individual safety switch protection, insulated Bramite backing and new 16mm² XLPE consumer mains, addressing the electrical supply concerns following Ausgrid’s attendance and providing a safer, modern and more reliable electrical installation.

The Problem

A customer in Annandale contacted Bright Force Electrical after arcing occurred at the point of attachment, creating a serious electrical safety issue. Ausgrid disconnected power to the property until the electrical fault and damaged supply infrastructure could be rectified.

Work Completed

Our Level 2 electricians attended the Annandale property and completed the required electrical upgrades, including:

• Supply and installation of new three-phase 16mm XLPE consumer mains cable
• Replacement of the incoming mains supply between the connection point and main switchboard
• Installation of appropriate mechanical protection and secure cable supports
• Installation of a new three-phase switchboard
• Removal of the old switchboard equipment
• Installation of a new main switch
• Installation of individual RCBO safety switch protection to all sub-circuits
• Testing of insulation resistance, polarity and continuity
• Testing and commissioning of the new consumer mains and switchboard

The new switchboard provides individual RCBO protection to each circuit, improving electrical safety while reducing the risk of multiple circuits losing power from a single electrical fault.

The Result

The Ausgrid electrical defect and arcing point of attachment were rectified, with new 16mm XLPE consumer mains and a modern RCBO-protected switchboard installed in accordance with applicable AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules.

The installation was tested and commissioned, power was restored to the property, and a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) was completed.