Published 2026-10-22 by 247 Rapid Electrician
Much of the Sutherland Shire was built in the 1960s and 70s, and a lot of those brick and brick-veneer homes in Sutherland, Gymea, Jannali, Kirrawee and Engadine still have a good part of their original wiring. That is not automatically a problem. What matters is the condition of the cables, how the circuits are protected, and what has been added over the last fifty years.
Age isn't everything
Wiring from the 1970s can still be in good condition. Homes of that era were generally wired with PVC-insulated cable, which ages far better than the rubber-insulated cable found in much older houses. What matters is what's been added since, and whether the circuits are protected by safety switches.
The bigger risks in homes of this age usually come from three places: the switchboard, later additions, and damage over time.
The switchboard
An original 1970s board often has rewireable ceramic fuses or only a few circuit breakers, and no safety switch at all. Fuses and breakers protect the cables from overload, but they do not protect people from electric shock. A safety switch (RCD) does, by cutting the power in a fraction of a second when it detects current leaking to earth. If your board has no button marked "Test", it probably has no safety switch. See our page on switchboard upgrades for what replacement involves.
Additions over the years
Fifty years is a long time. Most Shire homes have had a kitchen renovation, an extension, a pergola with lights, a pool, air conditioning or a granny flat added since they were built. Some of that work was done properly, some was not. Common problems we see include:
- Extra power points tapped off an existing circuit until it is overloaded
- Outdoor lights and power points wired with indoor cable
- Junctions buried in walls or ceilings with no enclosure
- Cables run loose across a roof space where they can be damaged
Damage over time
Roof spaces get very hot in summer, and heat ages cable insulation. Rodents chew cables. Cables are sometimes nicked by later work such as installing downlights or insulation. None of this is visible from inside the house, which is why testing matters.
Warning signs
- Original fuse board or no safety switches
- Discoloured power points or switches
- Lights dimming when appliances start
- Burning smells
- Power points or switches that feel warm
- Buzzing or crackling from a switch or the switchboard
- DIY additions you didn't do
If you notice a burning smell, scorch marks or a hot power point, stop using that circuit and get it checked straight away.
Testing
An insulation resistance test shows whether cables are breaking down. We test as part of switchboard upgrades and safety inspections. We also check that every circuit is properly earthed, that the cables are the right size for the breakers protecting them, and that the polarity at power points is correct. These tests tell us far more than a visual look can.
Do I need a full rewire?
Often not. In many 1970s homes, the most effective step is a new switchboard with safety switches on every circuit, plus repairs to any circuits that fail testing. A full rewire is usually only needed when testing shows widespread deterioration, or when you are renovating anyway and the walls are open.
Next step
Book a safety inspection and we'll tell you honestly what needs doing and what doesn't. Call 0421 772 661, or send us a photo of your switchboard through the quote form.
Selling or buying?
A building inspection usually only looks at the electrics briefly. If you are buying an older Shire home, an electrical safety inspection gives you a clearer picture of what may need doing and helps you plan the cost. If you are selling, fixing obvious problems first avoids them being raised late in the sale.