Why Upgrading RCBOs Improves Electrical Safety in Server Rooms

Server Room Switchboard Safety Upgrade at Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg

Identifying Hidden Electrical Safety Risks

Electrical safety in schools and commercial environments goes far beyond keeping the lights on. It’s about protecting people, critical systems, and the electricians responsible for maintaining them.

Recently, Cable & Connect completed a server room switchboard upgrade at Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg, addressing a hidden but serious safety risk within the existing electrical protection devices.

Identifying the Safety Issue

During routine inspection and testing of DB-21 (Server Room Distribution Board), our team identified that the existing RCBOs required test probes to pierce live cables in order to perform mandatory RCD testing.

This method:

  • Introduces unnecessary risk to electricians

  • Increases the chance of accidental contact with live conductors

  • Falls short of modern best-practice safety standards

While the switchboard was operational, the design of the installed RCBOs made ongoing annual testing unsafe.

The Solution: Modern RCBO Replacement

To eliminate the risk and future-proof the installation, we:

  • Removed the existing RCBOs

  • Supplied and installed 22 new NHP RCBOs designed for safe, non-intrusive testing

  • Ensured the switchboard now complies with current Australian electrical safety standards

  • Improved long-term serviceability for routine maintenance and compliance checks

Why This Matters for Schools & Commercial Sites

Server rooms are mission-critical spaces. Any electrical fault or unsafe testing procedure can result in:

  • Downtime of IT and network systems

  • Increased maintenance risks

  • Compliance issues during audits

Upgrading protection devices ensures not only reliable power, but also safe ongoing testing, protecting both infrastructure and the people working on it.

Safety-First Electrical Work

At Cable & Connect, we specialise in commercial, education, and critical infrastructure electrical works. We don’t just replace components, we assess how systems are tested, maintained, and used over time.

If your facility hasn’t had its switchboards reviewed recently, it may be time to ensure your protection devices are still fit for purpose.

Case Studies, Commercial Solutions, Commerical, Compliance Work, Switchboard Upgrades, Sustainable SolutionsPhillip Taitserver room electrical, switchboard upgrade, RCBO replacement, electrical safety, commercial electrician, education sector electrical, NHP RCBOs, electrical compliance, Heidelberg electrician