What you’re looking at
Open the outer door of the switchboard and you’ll usually see a row of switches. It’s fine to open the outer door and flick a switch. Don’t remove any inner cover or touch any wiring.
- The main switch turns off the power to the whole house.
- Circuit breakers switch off individual circuits, like lights, power points or the oven.
- Safety switches (RCDs) have a test button, and protect against current leaking to earth.
- Older boards may have fuses, ceramic or rewirable, instead of breakers.
- The meter and sometimes a separate switch for hot water or other controlled loads.
Reading the labels
Each switch should be labelled with what it controls, such as lights, power or air conditioning. If the labels are missing or faded, an electrician can test and label every circuit, and it’s a useful thing to have done at the same time as any other work.
If a switch has tripped
A switch that has flicked to off is the most common reason part of the house loses power.
- Unplug or switch off the appliances on that circuit.
- Flick the switch back on once.
- If it trips again straight away, leave it off. Something is wrong and it needs a licensed electrician.
For more on safety switches, see our safety switch guide.
Warning signs
Call a licensed electrician if you notice any of these:
- A switch that trips often
- A warm or hot switchboard cover or door
- A burning smell, or scorch marks
- Buzzing or crackling sounds
- Flickering lights, or lights that dim when an appliance starts
- Fuses that blow regularly
If there is fire or smoke, get everyone out and call 000.
Older boards and asbestos
Some older switchboards have a backing panel that contains asbestos. Don’t drill, cut, sand or break an old board. If yours is old and you’re planning work near it, tell the electrician before they start.
When it’s time to upgrade
- It has fuses instead of circuit breakers
- It has no safety switches
- It’s full, or you’re adding air conditioning, an induction cooktop, an EV charger or solar
- It shows any of the warning signs above
See switchboard upgrades, or switchboard upgrades in Shellharbour.
General information only. Rules and requirements can change, and what applies depends on your home and the work. A licensed electrician, or NSW Fair Trading, can confirm what applies to you.