Safety Switches & RCDs
A safety switch watches the current flowing out and the current coming back. The moment they don't match — because it's going through a person instead — it kills the circuit. Most Gold Coast homes have one. Very few have enough of them.
What's Involved
Whether it's one RCD or a full switchboard rebuild, the work is the same standard.
We open it up and look at what's actually in there — ceramic fuses, old rewireable carriers, missing RCDs, or a board that's simply run out of room.
Safety switches fitted to the circuits that need them. RCBOs give each circuit its own protection, so a fault in the kitchen doesn't black out the bedrooms.
If the board is too old or too full to take RCDs safely, we'll quote a proper upgrade rather than bodging something into a board that can't take it.
Every device is trip-tested with a meter, not just the little test button, and you get the results in writing.
The Process
Quickest start — text a picture to 0410 23 23 30 and we can usually tell you what you're looking at before we even come out.
We confirm what's there, what's needed, and give you one number covering parts and labour.
Power off for a short window, devices fitted, board relabelled so the next person knows what's what.
We trip each device in front of you and show you how to test them yourself every three months.
How We Work
Common Questions
In Queensland, safety switches have been required on power point circuits in new homes since 1992 and on all new circuits since 2000. If you sell or lease a home, a safety switch must be installed on the power circuits. Older homes often only have one RCD covering part of the house, which is legal but leaves plenty unprotected.
A circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload — it stops the cables cooking inside your walls. A safety switch protects the person. They do different jobs, and having one doesn't mean you have the other.
Usually not. A tripping RCD is normally doing its job, and there's a genuine fault somewhere on the circuit — often a wet outdoor point, a failing appliance or water in a light fitting. We isolate it circuit by circuit rather than just resetting it and hoping.
Push the test button every three months, and get them meter-tested by an electrician every couple of years. The button only proves the mechanism moves — it doesn't prove it trips fast enough.
Usually the board needs to be isolated while we work. Most jobs are a couple of hours. If you work from home or have a medical device, tell us up front and we'll plan around it.
Where We Work
Based in Carrara, on the road daily through Nerang and the surrounding suburbs. If you're on the Coast, we can get to you.
Not on the list? Give us a ring on 0410 23 23 30 — if we can't help we'll point you to someone who can.
Also Worth A Look
Next Step
Send a photo through and we'll tell you straight whether you need anything done. No charge for looking.
Call 0410 23 23 30Get In Touch