Power point work we do
Power points, which electricians often call GPOs (general purpose outlets), are one of our most common residential jobs. Typical requests include:
- Adding double power points in bedrooms, living rooms and home offices
- Extra outlets along kitchen benches and in islands
- Replacing cracked, loose or discoloured power points
- Power points with built-in USB-A and USB-C charging
- Weatherproof outdoor power points for patios, decks and gardens
- Power in garages, sheds and workshops
- Points behind wall-mounted TVs
- Dedicated circuits for ovens, cooktops, dryers and pool equipment
Why power boards aren’t the answer
Power boards and double adaptors are fine for occasional use, but relying on them long term is asking for trouble. Stacking several high-draw appliances, like a heater, kettle and microwave, onto one outlet can overload it. Extension leads run under rugs or pinched in doors get damaged, and cheap boards are a known fire risk.
If you’ve got power boards plugged into power boards, that’s a sign your home needs more outlets in the right places. It’s usually a quick and affordable job, and it’s safer.
Kitchens, home offices and entertainment areas
Kitchens need more power than they used to. Coffee machines, air fryers, blenders and toasters all compete for bench space and outlets. We’ll put power where you actually use it, including islands and appliance cupboards, and make sure heavy loads are spread sensibly across circuits.
Home offices are another big one. Computers, monitors, printers and chargers add up quickly. We can add outlets at desk height, include USB charging, and combine the job with TV and data points so your network cabling goes in at the same time.
Outdoor power points
Outdoor power points need to be weatherproof and suitable for their location. We fit outlets with an appropriate IP rating and self-closing covers, positioned where they won’t sit in pooled water or direct spray.
On the coast, salt air corrodes cheaper outdoor fittings quickly, so we use quality weatherproof products. Outdoor circuits must be protected by a safety switch, and if your older board doesn’t have that protection, we’ll talk to you about adding it. Power near pools and spas has specific rules, covered on our outdoor and pool electrical page.
Dedicated circuits for big appliances
Some appliances need their own circuit. Ovens, induction cooktops, clothes dryers, pool pumps, spas and air-con units draw too much current to share with general power points. Plugging them into a shared circuit often leads to tripping or, worse, overheated wiring.
When we add a dedicated circuit, we size the cable to suit the load and the length of the run, following AS/NZS 3008 for cable selection, and protect it properly at the board. If your board is full or old, a switchboard upgrade may be needed first. We’ll let you know upfront.
Replacing damaged or old power points
Power points wear out. Cracked faceplates, loose sockets where plugs fall out, scorch marks or outlets that feel warm are all signs something’s wrong. A warm or discoloured power point often means a loose connection behind it, which can get hot enough to cause a fire. Stop using it and get it checked.
If power points in part of your home have stopped working altogether, that’s usually a tripped safety switch or a fault somewhere on the circuit. Our fault finding service will track it down.
In older homes, we sometimes find power points that were added over the years without an earth, or with wiring that doesn’t match current standards. If we spot anything like that while we’re on site, we’ll point it out and explain what it would take to fix, rather than just adding more outlets to a circuit with problems.
How long it takes and what affects the cost
Adding a power point where there’s easy access to cabling is often quick. Several points in one visit is usually the most cost-effective way to go. The main factors that affect cost are:
- How many power points you need, and where
- Wall construction, such as plasterboard, brick, block or concrete
- Access through the roof space or underfloor
- Whether a new circuit is needed
- Whether the switchboard has space and safety switch protection
Brick and concrete walls, including many apartments, usually take more work to run cables through neatly. We’ll explain the options, such as surface-mounted conduit in a garage or a chased cable in a finished room, and give you a written quote.
On the day, we keep dust down, patch up after ourselves where we can, and leave the place as we found it. Every outlet is tested for correct polarity, earthing and safety switch protection, and you get a compliance certificate for the work.