Metering Guide
Does a Granny Flat Connection Require a
Switchboard Upgrade?
While not always required, a switchboard upgrade is one of the most common prerequisites when separating electricity for a secondary dwelling.
The space requirement
Adding a second electricity meter requires physical space on the meter panel. Older residential meter boxes were designed for a single house, and often lack the room for a secondary smart meter and the additional main switches required to isolate each dwelling independently. If there is no room, the panel or the entire enclosure may require upgrading.
Safety and compliance standards
When significant alterations are made, the existing infrastructure often needs to be brought up to current safety standards (AS/NZS 3000). Older switchboards may need upgrading to ensure the site is compliant before a new meter can be installed.
Handling increased load
A granny flat introduces a substantial new electrical load. The switchboard must be capable of safely distributing this load. We assess your board to determine if a simple modification will suffice, or if a full upgrade is necessary.