Reading list.
Practical writing from the tools — what we run into on real Melbourne jobs and what it teaches us about the standards behind them. We publish here when there's something worth saying: a wiring rule that catches people out, a switchboard era that hides a surprise, a renovation pattern where the electrical side gets squeezed. Written for homeowners, landlords and facilities managers who want the reasoning, not the lecture. Filed by category and dated so you can tell what's current. New posts arrive Mon / Wed / Fri through the work week.
VIR cable — what it is, why it's in pre-1970 Melbourne homes, and what to do about it
Vulcanised india rubber wiring is common in Mitcham, Blackburn, and Box Hill homes built before 1970. The insulation becomes brittle and cracks over time. Here's how it fails, how to spot it, and what to do about it.
Ceramic fuse vs circuit breaker — why the difference matters more than you think
Ceramic fuses are common in Melbourne's 1940s–1970s homes. They can be over-fused, trip slowly, and offer no arc fault protection. Here's what modern circuit breakers do instead, and what a switchboard upgrade involves.
Rental property electrical obligations — what landlords in Victoria actually need to do
Victorian landlords must provide compliant smoke alarms, RCD protection on all circuits, and a property that meets minimum electrical safety standards. Here's what the law requires and what a rental electrical safety check actually covers.
Electrical safety in the home — what to watch for and what warrants an urgent call
Burning smells, warm power points, lights that flicker, a safety switch that won't reset — your home tells you when something's wrong electrically. Here's how to read the signs, what counts as urgent, and the rental safety items renters should never let slide.
Smoke alarm types — ionisation vs photoelectric, and why Victoria's rules changed
Victoria mandates photoelectric smoke alarms in residential properties. Ionisation alarms are no longer acceptable for new installations or replacements. Here's how each type works, what the regulations require, and what landlords must do.
What does a residential electrical safety inspection actually check?
A residential electrical safety inspection covers your switchboard, circuits, earthing, RCD protection, visible wiring, and fixed appliances. Here's what gets checked, what gets tested, and what the results mean.
RCD vs RCBO — what's the difference and which one do you need?
RCDs protect against electric shock. RCBOs do that and add overcurrent protection in a single device. Here's when you'd use each, and why new switchboards spec RCBOs per circuit.
Hardwired smoke alarm requirements for Victorian rental properties
Victorian rentals require interconnected, photoelectric smoke alarms that meet AS 3786. Battery-only and older units are increasingly being phased out. Plain-English compliance guide for landlords and property managers.
Choosing an EV charger: 7kW vs 22kW, single-phase vs three-phase
7kW single-phase or 11/22kW three-phase EV charger — which one fits your Melbourne home? It depends on three things: your supply, your car's onboard charger limit, and how much you actually drive each day.
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