Available 24x7Available 24x7Published: October 26, 2026
A quick overview before you dive in:
A burning smell, a buzz from the meter box or a safety switch that won't stay on are all signs that something at your switchboard needs attention. Some faults can be repaired, some mean the board needs replacing, and some, such as a burning smell or sparks, need you to act straight away.
This guide explains the signs of a switchboard fault, what you can safely check yourself and what an electrician does to fix them. The advice comes from the switchboard repairs and upgrades we carry out at Impulse Electrical Enterprise. We're based in Strathfield and serve the Inner West and greater Sydney.
An after-hours emergency call-out is $250 + GST, and the price applies in every suburb we attend. Further fault-finding, repairs and parts are discussed on site and only go ahead once you approve, and public holiday rates may apply.
A burning smell or scorch marks at the board can be a sign of a loose or overheating connection, which can be an early sign of a fire. Treat it as urgent: follow the steps above and call an electrician. A burnt connection can be repaired, but if the board itself is damaged, it may need replacing.
A buzzing or humming sound from the switchboard can point to a loose or overheating connection. Don't open the board to look. Follow the first steps above: switch off the main switch if it's safe to reach, and have the board checked straight away.
Covers or switches that look discoloured, or a board that feels hot to be near, can be a sign of a loose or overheating connection. Don't touch the board, cables or anything scorched. If the board feels hot or smells of burning, follow the first steps above and call an electrician straight away. If you notice discolouration but no heat, burning smell or buzzing, have the board checked before you add more appliances.
Sparks at the switchboard need attention straight away. Follow the first steps above, keep everyone away from the board and call an electrician.
Safety switches have a test button marked "T" or "Test"; ordinary circuit breakers don't. Some devices combine a circuit breaker and a safety switch, and these have a test button too. When a safety switch keeps tripping, it's doing its job: it has usually found a fault, typically in an appliance or in the wiring. Don't force it back on. To check whether an appliance is the cause:
If nothing is plugged in and the switch still trips, or it won't reset at all, the fault is likely in the wiring. Leave the switch off and call an electrician. Our safety switch testing service can also check every switch on the board.
Circuit breakers protect the wiring by cutting the power when a circuit draws too much current or shorts. If a breaker trips when several appliances run at once, the circuit may be overloaded. If it trips with little running, there may be a fault. Either way, don't keep resetting it; have the cause found.
If there's no burning smell, sparking or heat, look for a safety switch or circuit breaker in the off position and switch it back on once. If a safety switch trips again, try the appliance check above. If it still won't stay on, or a circuit breaker trips again straight away, leave it off and call an electrician. If your neighbours have lost power too, it's likely a network outage rather than a fault in your home. Report it to Ausgrid on 13 13 88, or to Endeavour Energy on 131 003 if you're in its area.
Not every fault means a new board. Depending on what's found, a repair can mean fixing burnt connections or loose wiring, finding and fixing the fault behind a circuit that keeps tripping, replacing a safety switch that fails its test, or adding a safety switch to a circuit that doesn't have one. If the board itself is damaged, unsafe or past repair, we quote a replacement for you to approve. When a switchboard is replaced, the wiring rules require safety switches (RCDs) on the applicable circuits it supplies.
A full board replacement typically costs $1,200 to $4,000+ + GST. Prices assume suitable existing wiring and reasonable access to the board. Extra equipment, new circuits and other work are quoted separately, and your final price is confirmed in a free, fixed quote before any work starts. Our guide to the warning signs of an old switchboard explains when an upgrade makes more sense than a repair.
In NSW, anyone doing electrical wiring work must hold an electrical licence, and that includes repairs at the switchboard. Unlicensed electrical work is illegal and can leave your home unsafe, and a mistake can cause an electric shock or a fire. Resetting a tripped switch once is fine when there are no warning signs. Opening the board, removing covers or replacing parts is not.
When a repair needs one, you receive a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW). Electricians submit these through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal, and a copy is sent to you.
It depends on what it does next. If it won't stay on, or you can smell burning, leave it off and call us straight away. A switch that tripped once and has stayed on since can wait for a booked check, so the cause is found.
It depends on the fault, the parts needed and how long the repair takes. We explain the cost before any repair goes ahead. If the board needs replacing instead, our switchboard upgrade cost guide explains the price ranges.
Yes. Our workmanship is covered by our warranty, and products and parts come with a 2 to 7 year manufacturer's warranty, depending on the product. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply.
If your switchboard is buzzing, tripping or smells of burning, call 0481 228 836. Our phones are answered 24/7. For a fault that can wait, request a free quote and we'll explain what the repair involves and what it costs before any work starts.
Founder and Director