DB box replacement and distribution board upgrades

The DB box is the panel that distributes power to every circuit in your home and is meant to trip before a fault becomes a fire. An old, full or poorly protected board is one of the most common things we get called out to replace.

Signs your DB box needs replacing

• No RCCB, the switch with a small test button that protects against earth leakage
• Rewireable fuses instead of modern circuit breakers
• No spare ways left for new circuits
• Breakers that trip repeatedly with no clear cause
• Visible browning, discolouration or heat damage around the board
• Circuits that are not labelled, so nobody knows what controls what

Any one of these on its own is worth a look. Two or more, and replacement is usually the more sensible option than patching the old board.

What we install

Our standard replacement is a 22-way distribution board with ELCB and MCB protection and new cabling to match, sized to the circuits you actually have plus reasonable spare capacity for the future. We test earth continuity, insulation resistance and RCCB trip response before we hand it back, and we do not leave a board without labelling the circuits.

What it costs

A full distribution board replacement starts from $900 for a standard 22-way board with ELCB, MCB and cabling. Minor repairs, such as reterminating a loose connection or replacing a single burnt breaker, are priced separately and are usually a fraction of a full replacement, so send us a photo of the open board before assuming you need a new one.

What the job involves

We photograph the existing board first, confirm the circuit count and condition on site, and quote based on what is actually there rather than a generic number. The swap itself typically takes half a day for a standard HDB flat. Power is off during the switch, which we schedule at a time that works for you.

What you get

• A written, itemised quote before we start
• Insulation resistance, earth continuity and RCCB trip testing before handover
• Two year workmanship warranty, in writing