Fitzroy’s older terraces and warehouse conversions often hide mixed-era wiring and DIY alterations—polarity and switchboard checks help prevent shocks, appliance damage and nuisance tripping.
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We test accessible GPOs for correct active/neutral polarity and earthing. Reversed polarity can leave appliance internals energised even when switched off, increasing shock risk and making faults harder to detect.
We visually assess the switchboard condition, circuit organisation, and whether circuits are clearly labelled. Poor labelling and crowded boards increase the chance of unsafe DIY changes and slow emergency isolation when something goes wrong.
We confirm where safety switches are fitted and conduct an operational test using the test button where appropriate. Missing or non-responsive RCDs can leave high-risk areas unprotected, particularly kitchens, laundries and outdoor circuits.
We check visible cabling, junctions and terminations for signs of overheating, brittle insulation, exposed conductors, improvised joins, or damage. These issues can indicate loose connections or ageing wiring that may overheat under load.
We look for indicators that circuits may be undersized for modern usage—multiple double adaptors, frequent tripping reports, or heavy appliance clusters. This helps identify where upgrades may be needed to safely run heating, cooking and office equipment.
We check the presence, location and visible condition of smoke alarms and note obvious gaps. While not a full compliance certification, this provides clear guidance on where alarms may need updating or repositioning for safer coverage.
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Get Electrical Safety Assessment as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Many Fitzroy properties have been renovated in stages, so you can end up with older wiring alongside newer circuits, plus past DIY alterations. That mix can hide reversed polarity, missing RCD protection, or overloaded circuits that weren’t designed for modern appliances. An Electrical Safety Assessment targets these risks by checking polarity at accessible outlets, reviewing switchboard protection, and flagging visible wiring defects that need an electrician’s attention.
No. This is a safety-focused assessment that identifies polarity hazards, switchboard and protection concerns, and visible wiring red flags. Full compliance certification and any repair work must be completed by a licensed electrician, and some compliance checks require more invasive testing than a non-destructive inspection allows. We clearly outline what we observed and what should be referred for further electrical testing or rectification.
We treat reversed polarity and non-functioning safety switches as priority safety items. If we identify them during the assessment, we explain the risk in practical terms and recommend prompt review and repair by a licensed electrician. We’ll also note any immediate precautions, such as limiting use of affected outlets or circuits until repairs are completed, especially where high-load appliances or wet areas are involved.
They can be. Conversions and older apartment stock often show evidence of staged upgrades, space constraints around switchboards, and shared or modified services over time. You may see older-style protection, unclear circuit labelling, or circuits added for modern kitchens and heating without a tidy, well-documented layout. The assessment focuses on switchboard condition, protective device coverage and practical safety risks that commonly appear in these building types.
Time varies with property size, access to the switchboard, and the number of accessible outlets to test, but most assessments are completed within a typical inspection appointment. If access is restricted (locked meter rooms, tenanted areas, or obstructed switchboards), we’ll note limitations and advise what should be made accessible for a complete set of checks and clearer recommendations.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for polarity testing and practical switchboard, RCD and smoke alarm safety checks suited to Fitzroy’s older and renovated homes.