Updated October 2026: prices in this post are current as of October 2026.
Quite often we are asked to work on the wiring of an old house in one of the Melbourne suburbs. Many of these homes still have old ceramic fuses, which is why we carry several types of old-style fuses and their mounting bases in our vans. Replacing a fuse box with a modern switchboard typically costs $1,250 to $2,500 including GST. If new wiring is necessary, or the homeowner wants to add additional circuits to the home, the price of materials and labour increases. Upgrading an older circuit breaker switchboard falls in the same price range.
If your home is an older house in Melbourne there is a possibility that it still has ceramic fuses. Ceramic fuses are an “old school” form of electrical protection for the home. These are the sort where you run fuse wire around some screws (usually in the dark while holding a torch) before plugging them back into your fuse box. It is important to note that they provide short-circuit and overload protection, limited protection to your property and no protection from electric shocks.
First switch off and unplug the appliance that was in use, then turn off the main switch at the switchboard.
Use the correct rated fuse wire for the size of the cable in the circuit it protects.
The fuse rating is generally stamped on the outside of each fuse holder or marked on the switchboard near the fuse base.
Never use an oversize fuse wire as it can cause damage to the electrical installation wiring or start a fire.
Put the correctly rewired fuse into its holder and turn on the main power switch.
If the fuse blows again with the electrical equipment unplugged the fault may be in another electrical appliance or a fault in the wiring. You should then call a licensed electrical contractor.
If, however, your fuses blow on a regular basis, it is probably time to invest in a more modern switchboard with safety switches.
Energy Safe Victoria advises that the wiring in a home built before the 1980s should be checked by a licensed electrical inspector or a registered electrical contractor, and that safety switches are an extra layer of protection on top of fuses and circuit breakers.
