Free Strata Checker
Does Our Building Need a Switchboard Upgrade?
Built for strata managers and committee members. Tick the things that are true for your building's main switchboard and get a straight answer — plus what to table at the next meeting.
Most strata boards fail on the same few things
Apartment buildings built before the 2000s were typically fitted with ceramic fuses and undersized consumer mains — the exact things Ausgrid and Endeavour inspectors flag first. A strata switchboard upgrade replaces the whole-building main board with circuit breakers and RCD protection, with the outage window planned around residents.
Already holding a defect notice? See how we handle strata defect notices. Planning car-park charging? Start with strata EV charging — board capacity is the first question either way. Homeowner rather than strata? Take the home switchboard quiz instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do we know if our strata building's switchboard needs upgrading?
The clearest signs are ceramic (rewirable) fuses in the main board, common-area circuits without safety switches (RCDs), recurring outages affecting multiple lots, heat or buzzing at the board, black asbestos-backed panels, and any defect notice or inspector comment from Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy. Any one of the serious signs justifies a licensed inspection and written condition report.
Who pays for a strata switchboard upgrade?
The main switchboard and consumer mains are common property, so the upgrade is funded by the owners corporation — typically from the capital works (sinking) fund or a special levy approved at a general meeting. A written scope of works and fixed quote gives the committee what it needs to budget and vote.
What happens if we ignore a switchboard defect notice?
Network defect notices come with rectification deadlines, and an unaddressed defect can escalate to disconnection of supply and create insurance complications for the owners corporation. Committees are generally best served by getting a scope and quote promptly so the work can be approved and programmed before the deadline.
Will residents lose power during the upgrade?
Yes, for part of the day — a whole-building main switchboard replacement needs a planned outage. We coordinate the window with the strata manager, notify residents in advance, and typically complete the work within a single working day so power is restored to every lot before we leave site.
Do we need a switchboard upgrade before adding EV charging to the car park?
Often, yes. EV charging adds substantial load and needs dedicated, RCD-protected circuits, and older main boards frequently lack the spare capacity or ways. Assessing the board and incoming supply first — ideally with load management in the design — avoids an expensive surprise partway through an EV project.