How Electricians Upgrade Switchboards for Solar, Batteries & EVs
Adding solar, a home battery, or an EV charger can completely change a property's electrical demand and configuration. Hence, a switchboard upgrade in your Perth home is necessary when the existing board lacks space or capacity for the additional equipment. Certified electricians first assess the existing installation, then determine what needs modification before installing a new system.
Why New Energy Equipment Can Trigger an Upgrade
Solar, battery storage and EV chargers introduce new electrical circuits and equipment with specific current and protection demands. An EV charger, for instance, adds a substantial load that must be included when assessing the property's maximum demand.
Solar and batteries require a different assessment because inverter-based equipment can both supply power to the property and interact with the electricity network. In Western Australia, new or upgraded solar and battery systems up to 30 kVA on the SWIS must meet newly updated technical requirements, including modern grid communication capability.
Before beginning, the electrician considers the proposed equipment alongside existing air conditioning, cooking appliances, pool equipment, and other significant loads.
What Professionals Check Before the Upgrade
The first stage is inspecting the existing switchboard and electrical supply. This includes inspecting:
1. Main switch and incoming supply arrangements 2. Existing circuit breakers and RCDs 3. Available circuit capacity and maximum demand 4. Condition of wiring, connections and switchboard components 5. Available spaces for additional protective devices 6. Existing solar or inverter equipment 7. Earthing
Physical space is especially relevant in outdated boards. Even when the supply has sufficient capacity, there may not be enough room for additional circuit breakers, RCBOs, isolators, or other accessories a new installation needs. Residential safety is also assessed at the same time.
How Switchboard Modifications Are Carried Out
Once the assessment identifies what is needed, the electrician carries out the switchboard upgrade. This involves:
1. installing new circuit protection 2. replacing outdated devices 3. reorganising circuits, or 4. fitting a larger enclosure where the existing board cannot accommodate the new equipment
The choice of protective devices depends on the circuit’s characteristics and the connected equipment. Cable ratings, breaker ratings, fault protection, and RCD requirements must correspond correctly.
For a battery installation, the board configuration must work with the inverter and battery system under the applicable installation requirements. WA's updated AS/NZS 5139:2019 Amendment 1:2025 became mandatory for electrical licence holders from 2026 and adds current requirements for battery energy storage system safety.
What Final Tests Entail
After the physical work, testing verifies that the modified installation operates correctly and provides the needed protection. This includes checking conductor continuity, polarity, insulation and RCD operation. It also includes ensuring circuits and protective devices are correctly fitted.
The final configuration must then accommodate the requirements of the solar, battery or EV charging equipment and any applicable network connection conditions.
A switchboard upgrade in Perth requires more than fitting additional breakers. When adding solar, battery storage, or an EV charger, electricians need to reassess maximum demand, rearrange existing circuits, upgrade protection, and create space for new equipment. Planning these changes together ensures the modified board supports the new load while meeting relevant installation and network requirements.
As a proudly operated family business, HQ Electrical & Air has transformed the perception of residential electrical services in Perth. We don't take a typical approach, as our electrical contractors go the extra mile to deliver excellence. Stay tuned to our blog pages for more updates.