The Challenge: Asbestos, Aesthetics, and Accessibility
Older properties in the Inner West frequently feature outdated electrical switchboards mounted directly on the front porch. This Kingston Street home was no exception. The original setup presented three significant issues:
To solve this, our team engineered a two-part relocation strategy that completely separated the utility metering from the household circuit controls.
The Solution: A Two-Part Electrical Relocation
Phase 1: Exterior Level 2 Smart Meter Installation
The first step was to safely decommission the front-facing unit and establish a primary utility connection point on the side of the house. Because utility mains require specialized authorization, our Level 2 ASP technicians handled the complete electrical meter installation process to ensure the home was securely connected to the grid.
We installed a highly durable, weatherproof Bovara galvanised steel enclosure to house the new infrastructure. Inside, we fitted a modern EDMI Atlas Mk10D smart meter alongside upgraded service fuses and a modernized main earthing system. This configuration complies entirely with current NSW Service and Installation Rules and cleanly isolates the high-voltage mains from the homeowner.
Phase 2: Indoor Sub-Board for Homeowner Convenience
Rather than installing a single large unit outside, we prioritized homeowner convenience. We routed the internal wiring to a custom-built sub-board located discreetly inside a kitchen cabinet, just above the fridge.
We utilized a sleek Hager flush-mounted load centre to house individual RCBOs (Residual Current Breakers with Overcurrent). Every circuit is clearly labelled – spanning air conditioning, lighting, kitchen appliances, and living areas, allowing the homeowner to safely and easily manage their power without ever leaving the house. This was a critical part of our approach to modernizing electrical switchboard upgrades for older properties.
Restoring the Heritage Facade
Expert electrical work shouldn’t leave scars on a beautiful home. Once the original asbestos board was successfully removed from the front porch, the exposed brickwork required specialized attention. We coordinated the re-tuckpointing of the heritage bricks to seamlessly blend the newly exposed area with the rest of the wall. As the final results show, there is absolutely zero trace that an outdated electrical panel ever blemished the front entrance.
Project Outcomes
Need an Electrician for Your Heritage Home?
If you own an older property in the Inner West and need to safely update your electrical infrastructure without compromising its aesthetic charm, you need a highly specialized electrician in Haberfield.
Contact Marc and the team at Calibre Connect today to discuss your custom restoration project, or explore our standard electrical switchboard upgrades
and electrical meter installation services to learn more about how we can safeguard your home.