Electrical Compliance & Safety Standards

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At Switch Electrical Co., safety and compliance are at the core of everything we do. This page is your go-to resource for understanding the regulations, standards, and certifications required for the electrical services we provide across Adelaide.

Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, builder, or business owner, knowing what’s required for electrical compliance helps ensure your property is safe, legal, and up to standard.

We provide compliance information for:

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Do Ceramic Fuse Switchboards Need to Be Upgraded?​

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If your property still has an old ceramic fuse switchboard, you might be wondering if an upgrade is required. The short answer is: not always legally required, but in many cases, highly recommended — and sometimes necessary to meet modern safety and compliance standards.

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⚠️ When an Upgrade Is Required:

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• New Electrical Work Is Being Done
  If you're adding new circuits (e.g. for a cooktop, air conditioner, or new powerpoints), safety switches (RCDs) are mandatory on all new work under AS/NZS 3000:2018.
  Most old fuse boards can't accommodate RCDs, so a full switchboard upgrade is often required to remain compliant.

• The Existing Board Is Unsafe
  If the switchboard shows signs of damage, overheating, poor wiring, or missing earthing, a licensed electrician has a legal duty of care to either make it safe or recommend an upgrade.

• For Rental Properties and Property Sales
  While it's not currently mandatory under South Australian law to upgrade every fuse board, landlords must ensure rental properties are safe and in good repair.
  Many real estate agencies and insurance providers now expect modern switchboards with RCD protection, especially in homes built before 1990.

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✅ Why Upgrade Anyway?

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Even if it’s not required for your property right now, upgrading your switchboard is one of the most effective safety improvements you can make. Ceramic fuses offer no protection against electric shock — RCDs do.

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Appliance Installations (Ovens, Cooktops, Rangehoods)​

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• Standards: AS/NZS 3000:2018, manufacturer instructions - Requirements:

  • Appliances must be installed by a licensed electrician.

  • A dedicated circuit and isolation switch may be required depending on the appliance.

  • Clearances, ventilation, and positioning must follow product specifications.

  • All new circuits — including ovens and cooktops — must be protected by a safety switch (RCD), as required by current Australian Standards.

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Safety Switch (RCD) Requirements

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• Standard: AS/NZS 3000:2018 - Requirements:

• All new and existing rental properties must have safety switches installed on power and lighting circuits.

• Testing is recommended every 6–12 months to ensure proper operation.

• Switches must be accessible and clearly marked in the switchboard.​

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Smoke Alarm Testing & Installation

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• Standard: AS 3786:2023 | National Construction Code (NCC) | South Australian legislation

• Requirements:

  • All residential properties must have working smoke alarms that meet Australian Standards.

  • Smoke alarms must be located:

    • In hallways leading to bedrooms

    • If no hallway exists, in the area between the living space and bedrooms

    • On every level of a multi-storey home

  • Alarms must be tested annually and replaced every 10 years or sooner if faulty.

  • Interconnection is required for new builds and recommended for all dwellings where possible.

 

Exhaust Fan Installations (Bathrooms & Kitchens)

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• Standards: AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules), National Construction Code (NCC)

• Requirements:

  • Bathrooms, laundries, and other wet areas must have adequate ventilation to remove moisture — either via a naturally ventilated window or a mechanical exhaust system.

  • Where mechanical exhaust fans are used (e.g. in bathrooms without windows), they must discharge to the outside atmosphere, not into the roof cavity, in order to meet NCC Volume 2 (Part F6) ventilation requirements.

  • Exhaust fans must be installed to manufacturer specifications, using suitable ducting to an external vent (e.g. eave or wall grille).

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Switchboard Upgrades & Safety Switch Compliance

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• Standards: AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules), SA-specific legislation

• Requirements:

  • All circuits in rental properties must be protected by Residual Current Devices (RCDs).

  • Switchboards must be upgraded if they contain outdated fuses or lack proper circuit protection.

  • Clear labelling and safe enclosures are mandatory.