Your switchboard is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It distributes power to every light, appliance, and device you use daily. But if you live in an older home, your switchboard might not be up to today’s safety standards — and that can put your household at risk.
At Bowerman Electrical & Air, we regularly upgrade old and unsafe switchboards across Northern NSW, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast. Here’s why it’s so important.
⚡ Safety First: Outdated Switchboards Are a Risk
Older switchboards were designed in an era when homes had far fewer electrical appliances. Today, most households run dozens of devices at once — from air conditioners and TVs to ovens, fridges, and chargers.
Problems with old switchboards include:
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Ceramic fuses that don’t offer modern protection
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Lack of RCDs/RCBOs (safety switches that protect you from electric shock)
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Overheating and fire risk from overloaded circuits
👉 Upgrading ensures your home meets current safety standards and keeps your family protected.
💡 Better Capacity for Modern Living
If you’ve noticed lights flickering, power tripping, or limited circuits for new appliances, your switchboard may be struggling.
A modern switchboard:
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Handles higher electrical loads safely
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Provides separate circuits for major appliances
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Makes future renovations (like installing air conditioning or EV chargers) much easier
🏠 Gold Coast Homes and Asbestos Switchboards
Many older homes on the Gold Coast still have switchboards mounted on asbestos backing panels. These were common in houses built before 1990.
⚠️ Asbestos poses serious health risks if disturbed — which is why only licensed electricians should work on these boards. At Bowerman Electrical & Air, we’re trained to safely handle and replace asbestos-backed switchboards, ensuring compliance and peace of mind.
🌱 Energy Efficiency and Value
An upgraded switchboard doesn’t just improve safety — it can also add value to your home. Buyers today want properties that meet modern standards. It also pairs perfectly with other upgrades like:
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LED lighting
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Solar systems
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Energy-efficient air conditioning
⚡ The Bottom Line
If your home still has an old switchboard, ceramic fuses, or asbestos panels, it’s time to upgrade.
At Bowerman Electrical & Air, we:
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Safely remove and replace asbestos-backed boards
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Install modern safety switches and RCBOs
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Ensure your home meets current Queensland standards
👉 Protect your home, family, and investment — contact us today to book a switchboard inspection.
We don’t just wire homes and businesses — we power peace of mind.