Electricians for Research
Research has one of Melbourne’s most unusual names, and it comes from the gold rush. The area was first known as Swiper’s Gully, where early prospecting failed. When the gully was searched again and gold was found, it became Research Gully, later shortened simply to Research. The district was settled in the 1850s, was covered in orchards by the 1860s and got its post office in 1902.
Today Research is a small community of about 2,700 people in the Shire of Nillumbik, made up largely of blocks from one to 35 acres among eucalypts and paperbarks. It is home to Eltham College, Research Primary, the Research CFA and the Eltham Little Theatre. We come in from Box Hill, about thirteen and a half kilometres away.
Acreage and bush properties
Research properties are bigger and more complex than suburban homes. Long driveways, sheds, studios, horse facilities, water tanks and pumps all need power, and the distances involved mean cable sizing and protection really matter.
Many Research properties have horses, and stables and arenas need lighting, power for water heaters and pumps, and electric fence energisers, all safely installed and protected. We design these installations to suit how the property is used.
- Submains to sheds, studios and stables, sized for the distance
- Water tank, bore and pressure pump circuits
- Electric gates and security lighting
- Three-phase supply for workshops
- Driveway and yard lighting
- Replacement of old or damaged buried cables
We also check older installations extended by previous owners, where sheds and outbuildings are often fed by undersized or unprotected cable.
High bushfire risk
Research is in one of the highest bushfire risk areas in Australia, with dense eucalypt and paperbark bush. For many residents, reliable power for fire pumps and water is a matter of safety, and outages during storms or high fire danger periods are a real concern.
We install generator inlets and changeover switches, wire battery backed essential circuits and connect fire pumps and sprinklers so they keep working when the grid is down. Every backup installation is designed so it cannot back-feed the network.
Schools and community
Eltham College and Research Primary on Main Road, the football and cricket clubs at Research Park and the Eltham Little Theatre are at the centre of community life. We carry out lighting, power and safety work for schools, clubs and venues, scheduled around their programs.
Local businesses along Main Road also call on us for fit-outs, lighting and repairs.
The Research Park football ground and the tennis and cricket clubs also call on us for lighting and pavilion power.
Solar and self-sufficiency
Large roofs and open space make Research ideal for solar power, and many residents add batteries to cover outages. We plan switchboard layouts that support solar, batteries and backup power together.
For emergencies, call our 24/7 line any time.
We are happy to combine jobs on larger properties into a single visit, which saves travel and keeps costs down.
Your Research electrical questions answered
Why is the suburb called Research?
Gold prospecting first failed at Swiper’s Gully, but gold was found when it was searched again. It became Research Gully, later shortened to Research.
Can you run power to a shed 200 metres from the house?
Yes. We calculate the right cable size to avoid voltage drop and install a sub-board with RCD protection in the shed.
Can my fire pump run during a blackout?
Yes, with a generator inlet and changeover switch or a battery system wired to it.
Can you wire stables and an arena?
Yes. We install lighting, power, water heater and pump circuits and fence energiser connections.
Do you work on Eltham College and local clubs?
Yes. We carry out lighting, power and safety work for schools and sports clubs.
Nearby areas we service from Box Hill
Research is one stop on a regular run that takes in Eltham, North Warrandyte, Warrandyte, Eltham North and Saint Helena. The Shire of Nillumbik page lists the rest.
Book a Research electrician
Phone 03 6358 2028 for a fixed quote, or fill in the form. As a first-time Research customer, you save 15% on your first service.
4.9 stars from 188 Google reviews, and a team that treats your home with respect.
Recent work from the crew
Every photo is one of our jobs, taken by our team.
