Project Snapshot
| Location | Richmond, VIC |
| Postcode | 3121 |
| Service Type | Switchboard Replacement & Partial Rewire |
| Timeline | 1 Day |
| Key Challenge | Working with original 1920s wiring in a heritage Edwardian home |
The Situation
The homeowner of a beautiful brick Edwardian on a quiet street just off Bridge Road had been living with flickering lights and the occasional tripped fuse for years. The house, built around 1922, still had its original ceramic fuse box mounted in the hallway cupboard. It was one of those setups where you need to keep a stash of fuse wire in the kitchen drawer, because blowing a fuse when the toaster and kettle were running at the same time was just a regular Thursday evening.
Like many period homes in Richmond, the house had been through multiple owners and a couple of partial renovations over the decades. The most recent update added a new kitchen with an induction cooktop and dishwasher. The old switchboard simply could not keep up. More concerning, there were no safety switches (RCDs) protecting any of the circuits. The homeowner had young children and was understandably worried about what might happen if something went wrong.
She found Carlin Co through a neighbour’s recommendation and called us to take a look. We booked an assessment for the following week.
What We Found
When we arrived, the first thing that stood out was the age of the switchboard itself. The ceramic fuse carriers were original to the house, with rewirable fuse wire that had been replaced many times over the decades. Some of the fuse wire was the wrong rating, a common issue in older homes where previous owners or handymen have grabbed whatever wire was handy. This meant circuits were not properly protected against overload.
We tested the wiring throughout the house and found that the circuits running to the rear extension, covering the kitchen and bathroom, were a mix of old rubber-insulated cable and more modern TPS cable from a previous partial rewire, likely done in the 1980s. The rubber insulation on the original cables was brittle and cracking in several places, particularly where the cables passed through the ceiling space. In some spots, the copper conductors were exposed. This is a genuine fire risk.
The earthing system was also outdated. The original earth connection relied on the water pipes, which is no longer compliant with current Australian standards (AS/NZS 3000). With modern plastic plumbing fittings having replaced some of the original copper pipes, the earth path was unreliable. A fault on any circuit could have left the home without a safe path to ground.
We documented everything with photos and sat down with the homeowner to explain what needed to happen and why. No jargon, no scare tactics. Just a clear picture of what was there and what it meant for her family’s safety.
The Solution
We replaced the entire switchboard with a modern 24-pole Clipsal Resi MAX unit featuring individual circuit breakers and dual RCD protection across all circuits. The new board gave the homeowner plenty of room for future additions, whether that is a garden studio, a spa, or an EV charger down the track, without needing another upgrade.
For the wiring, we took a targeted approach. Rather than a full house rewire, which would have meant pulling up floorboards and cutting into the ornate plaster ceilings that give Edwardian homes their character, we replaced the most critical runs. The circuits feeding the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry were completely rewired with new 2.5mm TPS cable. We also ran a dedicated 32-amp circuit for the induction cooktop and a separate circuit for the dishwasher, both of which need their own protection.
The original lighting circuits in the front rooms, while older, tested within acceptable parameters for the time being. We isolated and re-terminated these at the new switchboard with appropriate circuit breaker protection, and recommended the homeowner plan for a full rewire of these circuits within the next three to five years as part of any future renovation work.
We installed a new main earth electrode driven into the ground beside the meter box and bonded it to the switchboard, bringing the entire earthing system up to current standards. We also fitted new hardwired smoke alarms with battery backup in every bedroom and the hallway, as required by Victorian legislation for any significant electrical work.
The work was completed in a single day. We started at 7:30am and had the power fully restored and tested by 4pm. The homeowner was able to cook dinner on her induction cooktop that evening without a single flicker.
The Result
The difference was immediate. No more flickering lights. No more blown fuses. The kitchen renovation, which had been held back by the electrical limitations, could finally be used as intended.
More importantly, the home was now protected by safety switches for the first time in its 100-year history. If a fault develops anywhere in the system, whether from a damaged appliance, a child sticking something into a socket, or moisture getting into a junction box, the RCDs will trip within 30 milliseconds. That is fast enough to prevent a fatal electric shock and dramatically reduces the risk of an electrical fire.
We issued a certificate of compliance for the work and left the homeowner with a full overview of her new switchboard, including which breaker controls which circuit, so she would never have to guess.
“Brad and the team were brilliant. They explained everything clearly, worked around our heritage home with real care, and had the whole job done in a day. No mess, no fuss. We finally feel safe running more than two appliances at once.”
– Sarah M., Richmond
Key Takeaways for Homeowners
If your home was built before 1970 and still has the original switchboard, it almost certainly lacks RCD (safety switch) protection. Victorian regulations now require safety switches on all circuits when switchboard work is carried out. The good news is that a switchboard upgrade does not always mean a full rewire. In many period homes across Richmond, Hawthorn, and the inner east, a targeted approach can address the most critical wiring while preserving the character of the home.
If you are buying or renovating a period home, budget for a switchboard upgrade early. It is one of the best investments you can make in both safety and the long-term value of the property. A pre-purchase electrical inspection can identify these issues before you settle, saving you from unexpected costs after moving in.
Ceramic fuse boxes were state of the art a century ago, but they offer none of the protection that modern circuit breakers and RCDs provide. If you are still relying on one, a switchboard replacement should be at the top of your to-do list.
Areas We Service Near Richmond
We completed this project in Richmond (3121) and regularly service the surrounding suburbs including Cremorne (3121), Burnley (3121), Abbotsford (3067), Collingwood (3066), East Melbourne (3002), Hawthorn (3122), South Yarra (3141), and Prahran (3181). See our full Melbourne service area and postcodes.
Need a Switchboard Upgrade for Your Period Home?
Call Carlin Co on 0432 632 346 or email [email protected] to book an assessment.
Licensed & Insured | REC 33210