Safety Switch Installation Adelaide
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- Licensed & insured · PGE 229 469
A safety switch, also called an RCD, cuts the power in a fraction of a second if electricity flows where it should not, such as through a person. A licensed electrician fits it in your switchboard and tests it. Call us and we will check which circuits in your home are protected and which are not.
Safety switch work is a regular part of our week for home owners: over 250 jobs in the 12 months to October 2026 involved a safety switch or RCD.
What a safety switch does
A safety switch watches the electricity going out to a circuit and coming back. If some of it goes missing, for example through a faulty appliance or a person touching a live wire, the switch turns the power off almost instantly. That speed is what can stop a serious shock.
It is different from a circuit breaker. A breaker protects the wiring from overload. A safety switch protects people. Many boards have both, and some modern units combine the two in one device. Our guide to the difference between an RCD and a safety switch goes into more detail.
The SA Government describes three types of safety switch:
- Switchboard safety switches sit in the switchboard and protect selected circuits, including the appliances and extension cords plugged into those power points. If one trips, circuits on other switches keep working.
- Power point safety switches protect what is plugged into them, and can protect the other wiring and power points on the same circuit.
- Portable safety switches plug into a power point and protect only the tool or appliance plugged into them. They are handy for power tools but do not protect your wiring.
Safety switches are a back-up. The SA Government notes they do not prevent all electric shocks, so they work alongside safe wiring and appliances, not instead of them.
Signs your home needs safety switches
These are the common reasons people call us:
- Your switchboard has ceramic fuses or only old-style breakers, and no switch with a test button.
- You have a switch, but it protects only some circuits, such as power points but not lights.
- The test button does nothing when you press it.
- You are having work done to the board and want it to be brought up to a safer standard.
- A home inspection or a previous electrician has mentioned missing protection.
If you are not sure what your board has, look for a switch with a small button marked T or TEST. If you cannot find one, it is worth a check.
What the installation involves
Most installs follow the same steps:
- We look at your switchboard and work out which circuits are protected and which are not.
- We explain the options in plain language, including whether your board has room for the new devices.
- Power is switched off at the main switch and the new safety switches are fitted and wired.
- Each circuit is labelled so you know what it feeds.
- We test every safety switch and show you how to use the test button, then turn power back on.
Power is off for part of the job. Tell us about fridges, freezers, medical equipment or anyone working from home and we will plan around them.
Will it fit my old board?
Sometimes a safety switch can be added to an existing board. If the board is old, full or damaged, fitting new devices into it may not be sensible. In that case we will explain why a switchboard upgrade is the safer way to get proper protection. We will not recommend a bigger job than your home needs.
How long does it take?
A small job to add protection to a few circuits can be a short visit. A whole-home job on a larger or older board takes longer. We give you an honest estimate once we have seen the board, because the wiring behind the panel decides the timing.
Safety and testing
Safety switches must be installed by a licensed electrician. Hoile Electrical holds SA electrical licence PGE 229 469. Do not try to fit or bypass a safety switch yourself.
The SA Government advises testing your safety switches twice a year. An easy way to remember is to do it when the clocks change for daylight saving. Press the T or TEST button. The switch should trip to off straight away. If it does not, turn off the power and call a licensed electrician.
On the legal side, the SA Government says that by law, safety switches for power point and lighting circuits must be installed in new homes and buildings where electrical circuits are added or altered. Switchboard and power point safety switches must be installed by a licensed electrician, and you should be given a certificate of compliance within thirty days of the switch being installed.
Selling your home? Our guide on whether you can sell a house without a safety switch explains what to think about. If your safety switch keeps tripping, see why power keeps tripping or our fault finding page.
What to ask your electrician
- Can I see your licence number?
- Which circuits will be protected after the work?
- Does my board have room, or does it need upgrading?
- Will you test each device and show me how?
- What is covered by your workmanship guarantee?
When to call us
Call if your safety switch trips often, will not reset, or you think a circuit has no protection. If something is hot, smells of burning or you have had a shock, switch off at the main switch if it is safe, and call 000 for any fire or injury. Then call us on 0482 099 388.
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Our Reviews
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Fast, detailed and reliable workers! Eased my mind about concerns and were kind to my children when they were being annoying!
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Excellent service! Professional, efficient, and neat work. Very happy with the installation. Highly recommended!
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Hoile Electrical arranged an electrician very quickly to review my smoke alarms. Ross was very friendly, efficient and helpful. Much appreciated and will definitely call them for electrical issues again.
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Gerad arrived on time.spent a lot of time explaining the process of improving our air conditioning,would recommend him for your air conditioning needs, Craig
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Hoile Electrical were recommended to us and we can see why. Very quick and efficient service by James and Nathan. Excellent communication all the way through. The whole experience was faultless.
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Very professional and good at what they do.
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Common questions
Does my home need safety switches?
The SA Government says that by law, safety switches for power point and lighting circuits must be installed in new homes and buildings where electrical circuits are added or altered. Many older homes have none, or cover only some circuits. A licensed electrician can tell you what your board has.
Why does my safety switch keep tripping?
It is doing its job, so the cause needs finding. Common causes are a faulty appliance, damaged wiring or moisture. Unplug things, reset once, and if it trips again call an electrician.
Can I fit a safety switch myself?
No. It involves work inside the switchboard, which must be done by a licensed electrician.
How often should I test my safety switch?
The SA Government advises twice a year, for example when the clocks change for daylight saving. Press the test button. The switch should trip straight away. If it does not, turn off the power and call a licensed electrician.
Do I need to upgrade my whole switchboard to get safety switches?
Not always. If the board is in good shape and has space, devices can sometimes be added. If it is old or full, an upgrade may be the better option.
Why does a new safety switch trip when the old board never did?
An old board with no safety switch would never trip for a small leak of current. A new one is far more sensitive, so it can show up a faulty appliance or a damp fitting that was there all along. We find the cause rather than leave you with a board that keeps tripping.
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