A dark, old meter board? Leave it alone.
NSW Government guidance says black or dark brown bituminous backing boards made before 1987 can contain asbestos. Don't drill, scrape or brush it. WA bans high-speed power tools on asbestos, and WorkSafe WA says you may need council approval to remove it, so mention the board when you book.
What Armadale's history means for your wiring
Railway town, then a post-war boom
The railway reached Armadale in 1889. Growth sped up after the war, and the senior high school opened in 1955. The older streets hold heritage places such as St Matthews Anglican Church (1904) and the Town Hall (1936).
Plenty of rentals
In 2021, 40.5% of occupied homes were rented and 30.7% were townhouses or similar, across 6,549 private dwellings. Landlords need at least two RCDs covering power and lighting circuits.
Fire on the scarp
Armadale sits on the south-eastern edge of the metro area, about 28 km from the CBD, where Neerigin Brook leaves the Darling Range. On 5 and 6 February 2011 a fire in nearby Roleystone and Kelmscott destroyed 71 homes, and about 517 families were evacuated.
Firebreak season
The City of Armadale's Firebreak and Hazard Reduction Notice applies to lots of every size, with works due by 30 November 2026 and kept up until 31 March 2027.
Solar in 6112
The Clean Energy Regulator counts 19,425 small-scale solar systems installed in postcode 6112 since 2001.
Signs an Armadale switchboard needs attention
- Fuses you pull out and rewire, sitting in ceramic holders.
- No safety switch on the board, or just one.
- A black or dark brown backing board, or a warning sticker in the meter box.
- Lights that dim when the kettle or air conditioner starts.
- A burning smell, a hot cover or crackling near the board. Switch off at the main switch if it's safe and get an electrician out; if there's smoke or sparks, call 000.
What we'd book first
If the board still has ceramic fuses, we'd have it assessed before adding anything new, and send the electrician a photo taken through the meter box door so they know about any asbestos before they arrive. Safety switches first, extras second.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.