Adelong at a glance
Adelong is in the Snowy Valleys Council area, which was formed in 2016 when Tumut and Tumbarumba shires merged. The 2021 Census counted 938 people in Adelong. It's a town with gold-rush heritage, surrounded by grazing and pine country.
That mix shapes the work. In town, the questions tend to be about older houses and whether the wiring and switchboard are still up to it. Out of town, it's sheds, pumps and the power that runs to them.
Older homes and their wiring
The NSW Government recommends having an electrician check any property built before 2000, and flags wiring from before the 1980s as a particular risk. If your Adelong home has a switchboard with ceramic fuses, no safety switches, or a black "pitch" backing board, it's worth a look. Our old house wiring guide covers what Nelson checks and why.
One thing to know: bituminous backing boards made before 1987 may contain asbestos. A missing warning sticker doesn't mean a board is clear. If asbestos is involved, a licensed asbestos assessor and removalist handle that part, and Nelson works around them.
Smoke alarms
NSW law requires at least one working smoke alarm on each level of a home, to AS 3786. Fire and Rescue NSW recommends going further, with interconnected alarms in bedrooms, living areas and hallways. If you're replacing old alarms or want hardwired ones, see our smoke alarms page. Hardwired alarms are electrical work, so they need a licensed electrician.
Out on the property
For grazing blocks, Nelson does rural electrical work: power to sheds, water pumps and outbuildings, lighting, and tracking down faults on long cable runs. Portable tools used in dusty or wet conditions should have RCD protection, and if the shed is a workplace, the WHS rules on testing apply.
Travel from Wagga
Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out, and Adelong, about 84 km by road, is far enough out for a travel charge. The switchboard estimate works it out from your address, and for other jobs it's included in your written quote.
Since the travel is the same whatever the size of the job, grouping work together often makes sense. A switchboard upgrade plus smoke alarms, for example, is one trip instead of two. If neighbours also need something done, it's worth mentioning when you call.
Nearby
Gundagai is the same distance from Wagga, Tumut is about 103 km, and Batlow about 112 km. See the Tumut page if that's closer to you.
Adelong is on the Essential Energy network. For outages, fallen lines or a shock or tingle, call 13 20 80, or 000 if someone is hurt.
Common questions
Is it worth getting the wiring checked in an old Adelong house?
If the house was built before 2000, the NSW Government recommends it, and if you've got rewireable fuses or no safety switches, it's a good idea. Nelson tests the circuits and tells you what's fine and what isn't, with a written price for anything that needs doing.
How is a job in Adelong priced?
It's the job itself plus travel from Wagga, which depends on the distance. For switchboards, test and tag and EV chargers, the instant estimates work it out from your address. Fault finding is charged by the hour, and other work gets a written quote first, so call Nelson or send the job through.
Can Nelson remove an old asbestos switchboard?
No. Asbestos removal needs a licensed removalist. Nelson can replace the switchboard once that's dealt with, and help you line up the timing.
Do I need a licensed electrician to swap my smoke alarms?
For battery-only alarms, you can replace the alarm or battery yourself. Hardwired 240 V alarms must be done by a licensed electrician.