Old Charm, Modern Twist

Heritage homes present a particular electrical challenge: the wiring inside the walls is often decades old, the building fabric is worth protecting, and the owners want the comforts of a modern home without visual compromise. Millar Electrics has experience working carefully within existing structures, and this Surrey Hills project was a case study in getting the balance right.

Existing wiring assessment

The home still had a mix of original rubber-sheathed wiring and 1980s TPS cable. We conducted a full condition assessment, identifying the circuits that posed a safety risk. All rubber-sheathed wiring was replaced, working through walls with minimal impact on the existing plaster and cornices wherever possible.

Switchboard replacement

The original ceramic fuse board was replaced with a modern RCD-protected switchboard. The location was maintained to minimise disruption to the entry hall, and the new board was housed in a compact enclosure that fits the existing void in the hall wall.

Period-sympathetic lighting

The owners specified a combination of restored bakelite ceiling roses with new wiring and contemporary LED filament globes. We wired each rose to accept the pendant fittings the owners had sourced, and ran all wiring through the ceiling space to avoid any surface conduit. In the bathrooms and kitchen, recessed downlights were installed — the one concession to modernisation the owners were happy to make.

Smoke alarm upgrade

All smoke alarms were replaced with interconnected hardwired units on a dedicated circuit, meeting the current Victorian residential standard.