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Hawthorn has plenty of older homes and renovated apartments where wiring changes can stack up over decades—polarity testing and switchboard checks help spot hidden hazards before they become a shock or fire risk.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We test accessible GPOs to confirm active/neutral/earth polarity is correct. Reversed polarity can leave appliances energised in unexpected ways and increase shock risk, particularly with older fittings or DIY alterations.
We inspect the switchboard for visible warning signs such as heat damage, corrosion, incorrect labelling, unsecured components, or outdated protection arrangements. A compromised switchboard can lead to nuisance tripping, overheating, or reduced fault protection.
We check whether RCDs are present and perform functional testing where accessible and safe to do so. RCDs are a key defence against electric shock, but missing or non-responsive units can leave circuits unprotected.
Where wiring is visible (at the switchboard area and accessible points), we look for signs of degraded insulation, non-compliant joins, DIY-style terminations, or moisture impacts. These indicators often correlate with faults that require electrician follow-up.
We note the presence and location of smoke alarms and carry out a basic operational check where possible. Smoke alarms are closely tied to electrical safety outcomes because early warning is critical if an electrical fault leads to smouldering or fire.
We categorise findings into urgent hazards, recommended upgrades, and items to monitor. This helps you plan compliance work for a rental, negotiate repair credits, or prioritise electrical upgrades after purchase without guessing.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Yes. In Hawthorn, many period homes have had kitchens, extensions, or room conversions completed in stages by different trades over the years. Polarity issues can occur if outlets were rewired, replaced, or relocated incorrectly during upgrades. Polarity testing checks that active, neutral, and earth are correctly connected at accessible power points, helping identify hazards that aren’t obvious from appearance alone.
We review the switchboard for visible safety concerns and check whether safety switches (RCDs) are present for relevant circuits. Where safe and accessible, we perform functional RCD trip testing. We also note labelling, obvious deterioration, and any signs that the board may not provide adequate fault protection. Any rectification is completed by a licensed electrician, not during the assessment.
No. An Electrical Safety Assessment is a targeted safety review and test of key risk areas such as outlet polarity, protection devices, and visible hazards. It helps you understand likely issues and priorities, but it is not a replacement for electrical work, a compliance certificate, or specialised testing that requires circuit isolation and trade-level access. If issues are found, we recommend engaging a licensed electrician for repairs and certification.
Apartments and townhouses in Hawthorn can have individual switchboards, shared building services, and a history of owner upgrades. This can mean varied protection levels between units and occasional changes to power points during refurbishments. We focus on what can be assessed within your lot—polarity at accessible outlets, RCD presence and response, visible switchboard condition, and smoke alarm basics—so you can pinpoint what needs follow-up.
We need safe access to the switchboard, a representative set of accessible power points, and smoke alarms where possible. If the switchboard is in a garage, external meter area, or a cupboard, please ensure it’s unlocked and clear. For tenanted properties, it helps to coordinate so we can test outlets without moving heavy furniture and avoid disrupting essential appliances.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on polarity testing, switchboard risks and safety switch performance so you can act on clear safety priorities—call 0413 163 187.