1. Executive Summary
The property at 14 Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide is a well-maintained 1970s double-storey home with a functional but aging electrical installation. The system is energised and operational throughout. However, the original ceramic fuseboard presents a compliance and safety deficit that warrants replacement before or shortly after settlement. Wiring on two circuits shows age-related brittleness at accessible junction points, and there is no dedicated circuit provision for air conditioning. No immediate safety hazards requiring urgent action were identified. The property is suitable for purchase subject to the buyer budgeting for the works described in this report.
2. Property & Inspection Details
3. Risk Summary
Future Readiness
LOW RISK
Safety: No active faults or immediate hazards identified. Compliance: Original fuseboard lacks RCD protection required for modern compliance. Capacity: No spare load capacity for A/C or EV charging without switchboard upgrade. Future Readiness: Good roof orientation and cable routes; solar-ready once switchboard replaced.
4. Key Findings
The property retains its original 1970s fuseboard with ceramic fuse carriers. This installation pre-dates RCD (residual current device) requirements and provides no personal protection against electric shock on any circuit. Under current South Australian electrical regulations, a switchboard of this type does not meet the standard expected of a modern residential installation. While the fuseboard is functional and not an immediate hazard, replacement is strongly recommended as a priority item. The switchboard location in the ground-floor utility room is accessible and suitable for a modern consumer mains unit.
Recommended action: Full switchboard replacement with modern MCB/RCD consumer mains unit. Est. cost: $2,800 – $4,200 (includes new enclosure, 2× RCDs, individual MCBs, labelling, test & certificate).
Several accessible junction points on the kitchen power circuit and the upstairs rear bedroom circuit show age-related brittleness in the outer sheath of the TPS wiring. The conductors are intact and circuits are functional, however the insulation is approaching end of serviceable life. This is not an immediate fault but is a known failure mode in wiring of this age. Monitoring is not adequate; planned replacement of the affected runs is recommended within 12 months of settlement.
Recommended action: Replace affected wiring runs on both circuits during switchboard upgrade or as a standalone job. Est. cost: $800 – $1,400.
There is no dedicated circuit for air conditioning at any location in the property. Any future split-system installation will require a new dedicated circuit from the switchboard. This is a straightforward job but should be factored into budget and planning, particularly if the property is to be climate-controlled before the next summer.
Recommended action: Install dedicated A/C circuit(s) at time of switchboard replacement for best value. Est. cost: $350 – $600 per indoor unit location.
The property has a north-facing roof with unobstructed solar access on the main roof plane. The switchboard location in the ground-floor utility room provides a practical cable route from roof to board. Once the switchboard is upgraded (Finding 1), the installation is well-positioned for a future solar PV system with minimal additional infrastructure cost. No immediate action required; noting for buyer's medium-term planning.
Recommended action: No immediate action. Plan solar installation post switchboard upgrade. Est. incremental cost: $0 additional if combined with switchboard works.
Smoke alarms are present at all required locations: ground floor hallway, first floor landing, and bedroom corridor. All three units are 240V hardwired with battery backup. Locations satisfy SA Development Regulations. All alarms activated on test button press. No action required.
No action required.
5. Decision Options for Buyers
Three remediation pathways are presented below. The inspecting electrician recommends Option B for buyers intending to occupy the property for 10 or more years.
Option A
Minimal Intervention
$2,800 – $4,200
Addresses the highest-priority safety and compliance item only. Suitable for buyers with constrained budgets or short-term ownership horizons.
- Replace fuseboard with modern consumer mains unit + 2× RCDs
- Circuit labelling and test certificate
- Wiring concerns deferred (monitor)
- No A/C or solar provision
★ Recommended
Option B
Full Planned Upgrade
$4,200 – $6,800
Addresses all priority and planned items in a single mobilisation. Best value for money. Recommended for buyers planning 10+ year ownership.
- All items in Option A
- Replace brittle wiring on 2 circuits
- Install 1× dedicated A/C circuit (2nd at additional cost)
- Full test & compliance certificate
Option C
Future-Proof
$5,500 – $8,500
Comprehensive upgrade including full solar/EV-ready wiring infrastructure. Best for buyers planning solar PV or EV charging within 3 years.
- All items in Option B
- Solar-ready wiring to roof + CT clamp provision
- EV charging circuit (garage/carport)
- Upgrade to 3-phase service (if desired)
6. Scope & Limitations
This inspection is a visual and functional assessment of the accessible electrical installation, carried out for pre-purchase due diligence purposes. It is not a full electrical installation compliance test under AS/NZS 3017 and does not constitute a Certificate of Compliance. The inspection does not include: testing of concealed wiring; load calculations; thermal imaging; testing of individual appliances, pool, spa or outbuilding wiring (none present); or assessment of circuits inaccessible at the time of inspection. All cost estimates are indicative only and based on comparable works in metropolitan Adelaide; final pricing is subject to quotation. The condition of concealed wiring cannot be assessed without destructive investigation, which was outside the scope of this inspection. Better Home Technology accepts no liability for faults not reasonably observable under the scope of this inspection, nor for changes in condition occurring after the inspection date.
7. Electrician Declaration & Signature
I declare that the inspection described in this report was carried out personally by me, a licensed electrical contractor in South Australia, and that the findings, observations, and recommendations are, to the best of my knowledge, an accurate record of the electrical conditions observed at the property on the date stated. This report is prepared solely for the use of the client named above and must not be relied upon by any third party without written consent.
Inspecting Electrician: M. Zhang
Licence No. PGE275430
Better Home Technology Pty Ltd · ABN 56 613 514 640
Date: 1 April 2026
Report No. PP-2026-0089
This report was prepared on the date above