How long does a switchboard upgrade take? On most commercial sites the on-site changeover is done in one to two days. The longer part is the design, manufacture and Energex coordination beforehand, which usually runs two to six weeks depending on board size, supply changes and parts availability. A site review gives you an accurate timeline for your board.
It is the first question almost every facility manager asks: how long does a switchboard upgrade take, and how much disruption will it cause? The honest answer is that the visible part, the actual changeover on site, is short. What takes time is everything that happens before the installers arrive: the design, the board build, and coordinating the supply with Energex. Understand the two timelines and you can plan the project around your trading hours with no surprises.
The honest answer: two timelines
How long does a switchboard upgrade take, stage by stage?
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Site review and load assessment | Within the same week |
| Design and sign-off | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Board manufacture to AS/NZS 61439 | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Energex supply and metering coordination | 1 to 4 weeks (runs in parallel) |
| On-site changeover | 1 to 2 days |
| Documentation and handover | Same week |
These overlap where possible. A specialist sequences the design and Energex steps in parallel so the project is not simply the sum of every stage.
What makes a switchboard upgrade take longer
- Supply changes. Increasing the supply or moving to CT metering adds Energex lead time.
- Board size and parts. Larger boards and obsolete or long-lead components take longer to build.
- Access and shutdown windows. Tight after-hours windows on a live site stretch the on-site stage.
- Site condition. Asbestos backing or old cabling can add remediation before the new board goes in.
How the changeover is staged on a trading site
On a working commercial site the on-site stage is planned around your hours. The new board is built and tested off site first, then the changeover is sequenced, often after hours or in stages, so power is only interrupted in controlled windows. This is the difference between a planned switchboard upgrade and an emergency one.
Why Energex coordination drives the timeline
Where the supply or metering changes, the project waits on Energex for supply applications and connection scheduling. A specialist lodges this early and runs it in parallel with the board build so it does not become the bottleneck. For larger sites this overlaps with an industrial switchboard build.
How to make your switchboard upgrade faster
- Book the site review early, before the board is at crisis point.
- Send clear photos of the board and meter panel up front.
- Be flexible on after-hours shutdown windows.
- Approve the design promptly so manufacture and Energex can start.
Why a specialist gives a more accurate timeline
So how long does a switchboard upgrade take in practice? Because switchboards are all we do, we know the real lead times for boards, parts and Energex, and we sequence the stages to compress the timeline. You get a clear, realistic schedule after the site review, not an optimistic figure that slips.
How long does a switchboard upgrade take: frequently asked questions
How long does a switchboard upgrade take on site?
On most commercial sites the on-site changeover is one to two days, planned around your trading hours to limit disruption.
Why does the whole project take weeks?
The design, board manufacture to AS/NZS 61439 and Energex supply coordination happen before installation. These run largely in parallel but still take a few weeks.
What slows a switchboard upgrade down most?
Usually Energex supply or metering changes, large or non-standard boards, and tight after-hours access windows.
Can a switchboard upgrade be done without shutting the site?
Power is interrupted only in controlled windows, often after hours or in stages, so trading disruption is kept to a minimum.
How can I speed up my switchboard upgrade?
Book the site review early, send clear photos, approve the design quickly and be flexible on shutdown windows.
What if my board has already failed?
It becomes an urgent repair to make the site safe, with a planned upgrade to follow.
Does your building type change the switchboard upgrade timeline?
Yes, the type of site shapes how a switchboard upgrade is scheduled. Retail and food-service sites usually need after-hours or staged work to protect trade and refrigeration, which can extend the on-site stage but keeps the business running. Office towers and strata complexes often have more flexible windows but more stakeholders to coordinate and notify. Industrial and manufacturing sites may run three-phase machinery on an industrial switchboard or MCC, where commissioning and testing add time. In every case the principle is the same: a switchboard upgrade is planned around the way the site actually operates, not the other way around.
What you receive when the switchboard upgrade is finished
A compliant switchboard upgrade does not end when the power comes back on. On handover you should receive as-built drawings, the AS/NZS 61439 type-test documentation, the test results for the board, and a clear written record of the work. That pack is what protects you at the next inspection, insurance review or building sale, and producing it properly is part of why a specialist switchboard upgrade takes the time it does. Ongoing switchboard maintenance then keeps the new board compliant and reliable for the long term.
Related guides
- What a commercial switchboard upgrade costs
- 3 phase switchboard upgrades explained
- Switchboard upgrades in Brisbane
Standards and references
Anthony Nuich is the owner of Commercial Switchboards, the specialist switchboard division of SEQ Sparky Pty Ltd, holding QLD Electrical Contractor’s Licence #90899. With 10+ years of commercial, industrial and HV switchboard experience across Brisbane and Queensland, Anthony reviews every project personally.
For an accurate timeline on your site, request an initial project review and we will inspect the board and map out the schedule.
