DB board upgrades in Sandton — what we actually find
In Sandton's older freehold homes the boards are the right age for an upgrade and the work is straightforward. In the CBD apartments it is different — the unit board is yours, but the supply and metering behind it belong to the building, and any work at that interface needs the managing agent involved. Establishing which side of that line the problem sits on comes first.
Property stock in Sandton
Sandton splits into two very different jobs. The CBD and its surrounds are high-rise sectional title, where pressure is boosted, geysers are often in service ducts and anything invasive needs body-corporate sign-off. The older freehold edges toward Morningside and Sandhurst are 1970s and 1980s homes on original copper that is now well past the age where pinhole leaks start appearing.
Most CBD buildings need access arranged through the managing agent, and work in a duct or riser usually needs the trustees notified. We book those in rather than arriving and waiting at a gate.
Faults that cluster in Sandton
- Pinhole leaks in original 1970s and 1980s copper on the freehold side
- Pressure-control valves failing early on boosted high-rise supply
- Geysers in service ducts with drip trays draining into the slab rather than outside
- Earth bonding missing or broken after past renovations
How DB board upgrades works
A distribution board needs upgrading if it is more than about twenty-five years old, still uses re-wireable fuses, has no earth leakage protection, or predates current SANS 10142 layout requirements. It is also effectively a prerequisite for solar, an EV charger or any significant renovation, because the new work has to be certified and an old board will not support it. A board that buzzes or smells hot is not a scheduling matter — that is how board fires start.
- Full board replacement to current SANS 10142 requirements
- Earth leakage protection where none is fitted, and correct circuit separation
- Surge arrester installation, which matters on the Highveld more than most places
- Load surveys before adding solar, an EV charger or renovation circuits
- Electrical COC issued in the registered person's own name on completion
Our process on a Sandton call-out
- 1Inspect the existing board, its protection devices and the circuit layout
- 2Measure actual load per circuit rather than assuming the original design still fits
- 3Quote the board, protection, surge arrester and certification as itemised work
- 4Replace and re-terminate, torque-checking every connection
- 5Test each circuit and issue the Electrical COC
DB board upgrades in Sandton — frequently asked questions
Other work we do in Sandton
Need DB board upgrades in Sandton?
Owner-managed by Garth Blair. We pick up the phone and book you in personally.
Speak to Garth directly.
Owner-managed means you reach the person who's accountable. Phone, email or WhatsApp — whatever's easiest for you.
- Call now082 886 9119
- WhatsApp082 886 9119
- Emailgarth@appleplumbing.co.za
- Service areaSandton, Midrand & Northern JHB
- HoursMonday to Saturday, 07:00 – 17:00