0433 577 910

Bayside & South East Melbourne

3 Phase Power Installation

Three phase supply, distribution and machinery connections for commercial and industrial premises across Bayside and the south east.

  • Supply assessed before anything is ordered
  • Distributor lead time flagged at quote stage
  • Distribution boards sized for what comes next
Call Us Now

Get Your Free Quote

Tell us about the job and we'll call you back today.

No obligation · Free quotes · Licensed REC 26681

When Single Phase Runs Out

Get Your Free Quote

Most premises run on single phase, and most of the time that is plenty. Three phase becomes the question when the equipment stops fitting: a commercial kitchen, larger air conditioning, a workshop with real machinery, a lift, or a site adding several car chargers at once.

The tell is usually not a dramatic failure. It is a main switch that runs warm, a supply that browns out when two large loads start together, or a supplier telling you the machine you want needs three phase and nobody being sure whether the building has it.

That last one is worth checking first, because a surprising number of older commercial buildings already have three phase available at the meter and nobody knows.

01 - Overview

What We Actually Do

Three things: find out what you have, get you what you need, and distribute it properly once it is there.

Find out what you have. A look at the meter and the main switchboard answers it in most cases. Plenty of premises are on a single phase connection with three phase available at the street, and plenty of others already have three phase terminated and unused.

Get you what you need. Where the supply has to be upgraded, that involves the distribution network operator, and it is the part of the job with a real lead time. Raising it early is the whole game.

Distribute it properly. A three phase supply is only useful if the board spreads the load sensibly across the phases and leaves room for whatever the site adds next.

The short version

  • Confirm whether three phase is already available before assuming it is not
  • Manage the supply upgrade where one is needed, including the lead time
  • Three phase distribution boards, sized with room to grow
  • Connections for machinery, kitchens, plant and larger air conditioning
  • Load balanced across the phases rather than left as installed
An industrial control cabinet with three phase distribution and terminal blocks

02 - What's included

Everything We Cover on the Job

01

Supply Assessment

What the site currently has, what is available at the street, and what the equipment you are planning will actually draw.

02

Supply Upgrades

Where single phase will not do it. The distributor is involved, which is why this is raised at quote stage rather than at installation.

03

Three Phase Boards

Distribution boards built for the site as it will be, with the protection right and spare ways left in.

04

Machinery Connections

Direct connection of plant and machinery, with isolation where it is required and accessible to the person who will need it.

05

Commercial Kitchens

Cooking equipment, extraction and refrigeration on properly sized and separated circuits, so one fault does not take the kitchen.

06

Load Balancing

Loads distributed across the three phases rather than piled onto whichever was nearest. It is the difference between a board that copes and one that does not.

03 - Why it matters

The Lead Time Is the Risk, Not the Work

The electrical work on a three phase installation is well understood and, on most sites, quick. What catches people is the supply.

If the premises needs an upgraded connection, that is a process involving the distribution network operator, and it runs on their schedule rather than yours. It is not difficult, but it is not fast, and it does not compress because a machine is arriving on Tuesday.

This is why the single most useful thing on a three phase job happens at quote stage: establishing whether an upgrade is needed at all. If the answer is no, because the supply is already there, the job is straightforward. If the answer is yes, you find out while there is still time to plan around it.

We have seen a fitout wait a month for a supply that could have been applied for on day one.

‘Nobody has ever been annoyed that we asked about the supply too early.’

Peter, licensed electrician & owner

Sources AS/NZS 3000Energy Safe Victoria

Why Carda

Why Choose Bayside's Carda Electrics?

Our team takes pride in our work - we genuinely love what we do. Good, old fashioned service is key to everything we do. We know that every project is important, regardless of its size, and you can have peace of mind knowing we have the expertise and experience to get your job done properly! Each job presents unique challenges, which is why we are always ready to think creatively to find a solution.

Genuine Service

Our team is always smiling because we genuinely love what we do. When you reach out to us, a friendly team member will be happy to assist you.

Licensed, Insured, Background Checked

Every electrician we hire is licensed, insured and background checked before they set foot on a job.

Transparent Pricing

No one likes a surprise bill. We'll let you know our costs upfront, and cut the guesswork out. Our team will listen to what you need and talk to you about which solution suits your situation before starting any work.

Respectful & Tidy

You can feel 100% assured that our team won't leave a mess behind. We bring our own cleaning products to make sure the job is completed properly and your premises are tidy.

Fast Responses

We value your time and make sure we show up on time. We'll also give you a courtesy call before we arrive, so you don't need to waste your day waiting for us to arrive.

Compliant Materials

We supply compliant materials from reputable suppliers, and we warrant what we supply.

What customers say

Reviewed by the People We've Worked For

Excellent

Based on 100 reviews

Google

Read all reviews

  • Karen Robb

    1 year ago

    Peter did a great job, installed points and 3-in-1 in my newly renovated bathroom. Very neat and professional. Thanks! Karen

  • Kelly Gooch

    1 year ago

    Great service. Fast and reliable fix on our light fittings. Cleaned up the mess and had it looking brand new in no time. Would definitely use the service again.

  • Aisling Molamphy

    1 year ago

    Peter recently carried out some work in my apartment. He was efficient, professional and very flexible with arranging times that suited me to get the work done. Highly recommend.

  • Lucy

    2 years ago

    Very happy with the service provided by Carda Electrics. Peter did a great job changing multiple light fittings for me, and was friendly, diligent and efficient. Highly recommend.

  • Sophie Cooper

    2 years ago

    I am so impressed with Peter from Carda. Our Paul Bacouse Oven element failed and need replacing Peter went above and beyond in sourcing a replacement and finding a solution. He kept me well informed and contacted me frequently until it was all fixed. I highly recommend Carda. Peter is an exemplary trades person.

  • Morgan Munro

    2 years ago

    Great service from Peter at Carda Electrics. From the high level of communication and professionalism to the understanding and care in regards to my repair… I can't recommend their services enough.

  • Pierre Zoghbi

    2 years ago

    Peter and George were professional and worked seamlessly throughout the day. The entire house lighting was changed and they even cleaned all the parts after the job was done. We hardly felt there presence. Thanks guys

  • Jenny Chen

    2 years ago

    Peter and his team did an outstanding job installing lights in my house. Brilliant service and well communicated. Peter is professional, responsive and efficient. Really pleased with the quality of work he's done for us - definitely recommend.

  • Luke Sgarbossa

    2 years ago

    A fantastic trades person, so happy I went with these guys. Nice person to deal with, did a fast and clean job, would highly recommend them to anyone

  • ethan

    1 year ago

    Peter is professional, efficient & helpful 10/10

04 - Our process

How a Three Phase Job Runs

The order matters here more than on most jobs, because one step has an external dependency and everything else waits behind it.

Step 1

We Check What Is There

Meter, main switchboard and what the street can offer. Free, and it frequently answers the whole question on the spot.

Step 2

Supply Sorted First

If an upgrade is needed we start it immediately, because it is the item with a lead time. You get told what that looks like before committing.

Step 3

Board, Circuits, Connection

Distribution board installed, loads balanced across the phases, equipment connected, tested and certified.

05 - For landlords & property managers

For Landlords & Property Managers

If you manage tenanted property, you’re generally the one carrying the compliance obligation - and you’re usually hearing about problems second-hand from a tenant who just wants it fixed.

We can attend site, deal with the tenant directly, and report back to you with what was found, what was done and what it cost. Invoicing goes to you, scheduling goes through the tenant, and you get the compliance documentation for your records without having to be in the middle of every phone call.

06 - Where we work

Where We Work

We cover Bayside and the south east, with most jobs falling inside a 30-minute drive of Brighton.

BrightonSandringhamSt KildaHamptonElsternwickBentleigh + 16 more

07 - What it costs

What Three Phase Installation Costs

Quoted in parts, because they are different decisions: the supply work, the distribution board, and the connections to the equipment. Presenting one number makes it impossible to see which part is driving it.

Any charge from the distribution network operator is theirs rather than ours, and we will tell you it is coming rather than absorbing it invisibly into a quote.

No call-out surprises

Quotes are free and there's no charge for coming out to look at the job. You'll know what it costs before you decide whether to go ahead.

08 - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't see yours? Call us on 0433 577 910.

How do I know if my building already has three phase?

Look at the meter and the main switch. A three phase supply generally shows as three fuses or a larger main switch rather than one, though it varies enough that it is worth having someone confirm rather than guessing. It is a five-minute check and it is genuinely common to find three phase already terminated and never used.

Can I get three phase in a house?

Often yes, and it comes up more than it used to now that houses are adding heat pumps, induction cooking, pool plant and car chargers. Whether it is worth it depends on the total load rather than any one appliance. We will tell you honestly if a supply upgrade would solve less than you think.

How long does a supply upgrade take?

It depends on the distribution network operator rather than on us, so we will not quote you a number we cannot control. What we will do is start the process the day you decide, tell you what stage it is at, and plan the rest of the work around it rather than waiting until it is done to begin.

What is load balancing and does it matter?

A three phase supply is three separate phases, and equipment can be connected to any of them. If most of the load ends up on one, that phase does the work while the other two sit idle, and the site can trip while apparently having capacity to spare. Spreading the load properly is part of the installation rather than an optional extra.

Does my machine need three phase or will single phase do?

Check the plate on the equipment or the supplier’s specification, and send us a photo of it. Some machinery is available in both, and some three phase equipment can be run on a converter, though that is rarely the better answer on a permanent installation. We would rather look at the actual number than work from what the salesperson said.

Are you licensed and insured?

Absolutely, our team of trusted electricians are fully licensed and insured. We have public liability insurance, and if required, just let our team know that you’d like to view our documentation.

Our team are NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) accredited, which means they are trained to work safely and to current Victorian standards, and they keep that training current as the standards change.

We are strict about hiring. Every electrician who attends a job is licensed, experienced and background checked.

Can you issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety?

We can, and do. Our licensed electricians complete and sign a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work that requires one, and lodge it with Energy Safe Victoria. It records that the work meets the wiring rules. You keep a copy for your own records, and it is worth filing: it is the document a buyer, insurer or property manager will ask for later.

Is it safe to attempt a DIY repair or should I call an electrician?

That really depends on one factor. Are you a licensed electrician?! If not, the answer is a simple, ‘No, don’t do it’. As tempting as it may be to save money, or use skills learnt elsewhere, electrical work carries huge risks and it’s just not worth attempting on your own.

Find a licensed team that is affordable, reliable and has the qualifications and experience to sort the problem out. If budget is a constraint, talk to us about what options we can provide. We offer highly competitive rates, efficient service timeframes and most of all, you can rely on the safety of our work.

Do you offer both residential and commercial electrical work?

We certainly do. We can help with electrical work for your home or business, whether it’s a new design and installation, during renovations or for regular servicing or maintenance. We work with clients right across the Bayside region of Melbourne, and Melbourne CBD, for everything from minor residential work through to large industrial installations.

Can you help install or repair internet and phone cables?

We certainly can help with this. Our electrical contractors have the necessary certifications and licenses to perform this type of electrical service, which are issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This type of licence shows that our team have completed the correct training to work with data cables, and that work will be carried out under the Australian Standards framework for wiring.

Can you assist with smoke alarm compliance?

We sure can. It’s imperative to ensure that your smoke alarms are serviced and maintained on a regular basis. We are able to install new systems, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection systems and other systems to detect smoke and fire, but generally, we are called out to maintain existing systems. We can help you service your home system, and also provide services to realties and body corporates.

How often should I schedule an electrical safety inspection?

This really depends on the purpose of your safety inspection, as there are different guidelines for workplaces and homes. For some workplaces, testing will be required more than once a year. In your home, it’s worth doing an inspection every 5 years or so, but this can vary greatly depending on the age and history of the building.

We can provide a detailed check on residential properties or commercial electrical devices, cables, appliances, switchboards and wiring, to ensure your safety and also compliance. If you have a specific electrical problem, we can have a team member attend and perform testing and electrical fault finding, to identify the fault and the right way to fix it.

Can you assist with advice in reducing my energy usage?

We certainly can. Our fully licenced electricians and electrical contractors can give you advice and recommend solutions to increase your energy efficiency. There are many ways that most households can decrease their energy consumption. Common suggestions include installing energy-efficient lighting, using energy-efficient appliances and utilising timers and smart technology for lighting and other switches.

In some cases, large changes will be required for long-term benefits, but often it’s a number of small changes that will make the difference.

Get Started Today with a Free Quote

Tell us what the job involves and we'll come out, look at it properly, and put a fixed price in writing.

Get Your Free Quote 0433 577 910