Electrical Advice, Straight From Rob
Real cost figures, real safety answers, and what to do right now — written by a licensed electrician with 23 years on the tools, not a copywriter guessing at prices.
What This Blog Covers
Every post is written or reviewed by Rob Theodoridis, licensed NSW electrician (Lic. 210987C) — dated, bylined, and based on real jobs across Parramatta and Sydney, not generic advice copied from somewhere else.
Cost Guides
Real, honest price ranges for common jobs — so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
Safety Guides
Straight answers on what's a genuine safety risk versus what can safely wait until business hours.
What To Do If
Step-by-step guides for the moment something goes wrong, so you know what to check before you call anyone.
Latest Guides
Switchboard Upgrade Cost in Parramatta: 2026 Price Guide
The real number depends on your board's age, wiring, and what's behind the panel. Asbestos backing, Level 2 mains work, and circuit count are what actually move the price — here's how to read a quote before you sign it.
Read The Full GuideSmoke Alarms and Safety Switches: NSW Landlord Guide
What's legally required every tenancy, what counts as an urgent repair, and the $1,000 rule most landlords don't know about.
Read GuideIs Daisy-Chaining Power Boards Actually Dangerous?
Dangerous once the combined load passes 1,920 watts — a kettle alone can use the whole circuit. The real wattage maths explained.
Read GuideSwitchboard Buzzing or Hot Smell? What to Do Right Now
The panic-free checklist: what to do in the first 60 seconds, and when it's a genuine emergency versus a scheduled visit.
Read GuideHow Many Smart Devices Can Your Switchboard Handle?
Smart plugs won't overload a board — but EV chargers, batteries, and induction cooktops will. What modern homes actually demand.
Read Guide7 Warning Signs Your Switchboard Needs Upgrading Now
Flickering lights, repeated trips, or a warm switchboard are warning signs, not quirks. Catch it before it becomes an emergency.
Read GuideNo Power in Half the House? What It Actually Means
Almost always one tripped safety switch, not the whole board. Here's what to check and when it's genuinely urgent.
Read GuideEmergency Electrician Call Out Cost in Sydney 2026
$150–$350 for the call out, $300–$800 for the total job. Real pricing and what actually changes the number.
Read GuideEV Charger Installation Cost in Parramatta: 2026 Guide
$800–$2,500 for a standard install. Single vs three phase, and the network step most installers skip.
Read GuideEV Charger Installation Rules and Rebates in NSW 2026
No dedicated NSW rebate exists in 2026. What's actually required: network notification, strata rules, and more.
Read GuideSingle Phase to Three Phase Upgrade Cost Sydney 2026
$4,500–$9,500 when three phase already runs at the street. Real pricing, no guesswork.
Read GuideHow Many Circuits Does a Modern Switchboard Need Now?
Most modern homes need 10 to 16 circuits. Older boards with 4 to 6 simply weren't built for today's load.
Read GuideWhy Your EV Charger Needs Its Own Dedicated Circuit
Not a preference, a requirement. Why an EV charger can't legally share a circuit with anything else.
Read GuideEV Charger Installation Day: What Actually Happens
From the switchboard check to the final compliance certificate. What a standard install day actually involves.
Read GuidePower Outage or Electrical Fault? How to Tell Which
A two minute check tells you whether it's the street network or your property. Here's exactly what to look for.
Read GuidePower Point Smells Like Burning? Do This Immediately
Stop using it, switch it off, then call. This isn't a wait-and-see situation, here's exactly what to do.
Read GuideWhy Do My Lights Flicker When an Appliance Turns On?
A brief flicker is usually normal. Whole-house flickering points to something worth checking properly.
Read GuideRunning a Dedicated Circuit to Your Garage for EV Charging
The route matters as much as the cable. What's involved getting the circuit to a detached garage.
Read GuideWhat Size Cable Does an EV Charger Circuit Need Today?
Not guesswork. Cable size is calculated against AS/NZS 3008, the charger's rating, and the run length.
Read GuideWhat Does "Level 2" Electrical Work Actually Mean?
Everything from your meter to the street is network-side work, and it needs specific accreditation.
Read GuideOne Power Point Not Working? Here's Why That Happens
Usually a loose connection, not a tripped safety switch. Why one dead outlet can affect others too.
Read GuideSafety Switch Won't Reset? What It Actually Means Now
An active fault in the wiring itself, not something you can unplug. Here's what it means.
Read GuideWhy Does My Safety Switch Keep Tripping? 2026 Guide
Usually a faulty appliance or moisture, not random bad luck. How to actually find the cause.
Read GuideSwitchboard vs Fuse Box: What's the Real Difference?
Still calling it a fuse box? The real difference is what's actually protecting you, not the name.
Read GuideHow Long Does It Take to Charge an EV at Home in 2026?
Most charging is an overnight top-up, not a full charge from empty. The real math explained.
Read Guide7kW or 22kW EV Charger? Which One You Actually Need
The number on the box isn't the number that matters. Your car's onboard charger is the real limit.
Read GuideWhat to Do If Someone Gets an Electric Shock at Home
The first minute matters most. The correct order of steps, and why you always call 000.
Read GuideHow to Choose a Licensed Electrician in Sydney 2026
Three checks most people skip entirely. How to verify a licence and spot red flags.
Read GuideCost to Rewire a House in Australia: 2026 Guide
$10,000 to $25,000+ for a full rewire in 2026. What actually drives the price up or down.
Read GuideWhy Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?
Usually overload, a faulty appliance, or a wiring fault. Here's how to tell which, and when to call.
Read GuideIs DIY Electrical Work Legal in NSW?
Almost all electrical work needs a licensed electrician. What you can legally do yourself, and the penalties if you don't.
Read GuideElectrician Hourly Rate in Australia: 2026 Guide
$80–$150/hr standard, $150–$250+ after hours. What actually makes up the bill.
Read GuideSolar Battery Installation Cost & Requirements NSW
$8,000–$15,000 installed in 2026. What the electrical work involves and what to check first.
Read GuideBefore You Dive In
Every guide is written or reviewed by Rob Theodoridis, a licensed NSW electrician (Lic. 210987C) with 23 years' experience and founder of Sydney Electrical Contractors. Nothing here is outsourced or ghostwritten by someone who's never held a multimeter.
Every price range reflects current 2026 costs across Parramatta and Greater Sydney, based on real jobs. Exact pricing always depends on your specific property, so guides give an honest range rather than a single number that doesn't account for asbestos, access, or job complexity.
New guides are added regularly, covering the questions Rob actually gets asked on real jobs across Parramatta and Sydney. If there's something specific you can't find an answer to, call and ask directly rather than waiting for a post to cover it.
Can't find your answer?
Skip the search — call Rob directly and get a straight answer in minutes.
1300 415 254