Why Old DB Boards Need Replacing
Our Brackenfell electrical team upgrade distribution boards in Brackenfell where the original board has fallen behind the house. Many older homes still run boards with no earth leakage protection at all, ceramic fuses instead of breakers, scorched or brittle wiring behind the cover, and no spare ways for new circuits. An old board doesn't just fail inspections — it's the difference between a fault tripping safely and a fault becoming a fire or a fatal shock.
What an Upgrade Includes
We replace the board with a modern unit sized for the home: a new main switch and earth leakage unit, circuit breakers on every circuit, clear labelling so you know what controls what, and spare capacity for future additions like air conditioning or an inverter. We also add surge protection — worth having in the Western Cape, where supply switching and storms send spikes through unprotected boards and take out appliances and electronics.
When to Upgrade
The common triggers: the earth leakage trips constantly or never trips during testing, you're adding a big load (oven, aircon, inverter, EV charger) and there's no space on the board, a CoC inspection has flagged the board, or you're renovating and the wiring is being touched anyway — the cheapest time to do it. A straightforward domestic upgrade is usually completed in a day.
Done Properly, Certified Properly
Every board we install is tested, labelled, and signed off with a Certificate of Compliance covering the work. You get a written quote first — from photos of your current board in most cases — and the price you approve is the price you pay.