Residential 3 phase power upgrades, Aspley to Caboolture
We’re a family-run team of licensed electricians based in Brendale, and we upgrade northside homes from single phase to 3 phase power. A 3 phase supply spreads your home’s load across three lines instead of one. Big gear like ducted air con, a fast EV charger or a shed full of machinery runs properly, without dimming the lights or tripping the main switch, and there’s room to add more later.
Call 1800 230 400 Get a 3 phase quote
Who needs 3 phase power?
Most homes run fine on single phase. 3 phase starts to make sense when you’re running, or planning, several big loads at once:
- Ducted air conditioning, especially larger systems, where a 3 phase unit shares the load across all three phases.
- Faster EV charging at 11 kW or 22 kW, if your car can take it. Single phase home chargers top out at around 7 kW.
- Pools and spas with heat pumps and heaters running alongside the pump.
- Workshops and sheds with welders, compressors and machinery.
- Larger solar and battery systems. Energex allows bigger inverters on a 3 phase supply.
- Acreage and bigger blocks with sheds, bore pumps and long cable runs, which we see a lot around Warner, Narangba and Burpengary.
Signs you’re outgrowing single phase
- Lights dim or flicker when the air con, pool pump or oven kicks in.
- Breakers or the main switch trip when a few big appliances run together.
- A solar, air con or EV charger installer has told you your supply can’t take any more.
- You’re planning an EV, ducted air con, a pool or a workshop.
What’s involved
- Assessment. We look at your supply, meter box and switchboard, talk through what you’ll run, and check that 3 phase is available in your street.
- Energex application. We lodge the application with Energex and manage it through to approval. If the network in your street needs work first, Energex will tell us and quote that part separately.
- New mains. For an overhead supply, Energex runs the new 3 phase service line from the pole and we look after the point of attachment and the cable down to the meter box. For an underground supply, we run new mains from the pit or pillar to the meter box.
- Meter box upgrade. Most older meter boxes need replacing to fit a 3 phase meter. Your electricity retailer’s metering provider installs the new meter.
- Switchboard upgrade. A new 3 phase switchboard with safety switches on every circuit, built to AS/NZS 3000.
- Testing and certification. We test every circuit and give you a certificate of testing and safety for the work.
How long it takes. Our on-site work is usually a day for a straightforward job; trenching or moving the meter box adds time. The usual wait is Energex approval and connection, which can take from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
What affects the price
- Overhead or underground supply. Underground means trenching from the boundary, and that’s usually the biggest variable.
- Distance from the boundary to the meter box. The longer the run, the more cable and labour.
- Meter box location and condition. Old dark brown or grey meter panels in older homes may contain asbestos. It has to be handled and disposed of safely, which changes how the job is done.
- Your existing switchboard. An old ceramic fuse board gets replaced as part of the job.
- Network work in your street. If Energex has to upgrade anything on their side, they’ll quote it.
Clear photos of your meter box (door open) and the front of the house where the power comes in usually let us give you a solid quote before we visit.
Where we work
We do 3 phase upgrades across Brisbane’s northside and Moreton Bay, including Aspley, Chermside, Stafford, Strathpine, Brendale, North Lakes, Narangba, Burpengary, Caboolture, Redcliffe and surrounding suburbs. Upgrading the switchboard only? See our switchboard upgrades page.
Why Armitage Electrical
- Licensed and insured electricians, Electrical Contractor Licence No. 88297
- Master Electricians member
- Local to Brendale and Aspley for around 10 years
- All-inclusive upfront pricing and no call-out fee
- We handle the whole job, including the Energex paperwork, so you deal with one team
Get a 3 phase quote
Tell us what you’re planning to run and we’ll come back to you with a quote.
3 phase FAQs
Do I need 3 phase for an EV charger?
No. A 7 kW single phase charger fills most cars overnight. 3 phase only helps if your car can accept faster AC charging (11 kW or 22 kW) and you need the extra speed. See our EV charger installation page.
How long does a 3 phase upgrade take?
Our on-site work is usually a day. Energex approval and connection is the main wait, so we’ll give you a realistic timeline with your quote.
Will Energex need to do anything?
Yes. Energex approves the upgrade and connects the new supply, and for overhead supplies they run the new service line from the pole. Your retailer’s metering provider fits the new meter. We lodge the paperwork and coordinate it all.
Can I add 3 phase if my power is overhead?
Yes, as long as 3 phase is available on the network in your street. Energex upgrades the overhead service line and we do the work from the point of attachment to the meter box.
Do I need a new switchboard too?
Usually, yes. A single phase board isn’t built for a 3 phase supply, so the upgrade normally includes a new switchboard with safety switches on every circuit.
Call 1800 230 400 Get a 3 phase quote
Armitage Electrical (QLD) Pty Ltd. Electrical Contractor Licence No. 88297.