It's a sad fact that over 1000 Australian homes a year are damaged or destroyed due to Electrical Fires. In addition, every year, over 40 Australians die from electrocution and over 10,000 are injured by electric shock.
Many of these accidents could have been prevented if there switchboards hade been upgraded to current Australian Standards.
Australian Standard AS3000:2007 has just been released and it includes updated safety requirements for new Australian homes.
If your home has old style re-wire able fuses these mandated safety requirements do not apply and you and your family could be at risk!
Do You Need An Electrician?
Who do you call?
What questions do you ask?
Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Home Electrical System
Do circuit breakers in your home trip often or do fuses keep blowing?
-A home electrical system has these built-in safeguards to prevent electrical overload.
-Too much current causes the breakers to open automatically or the fuses to melt.
-When a circuit shuts down repeatedly, it's a warning that should not be ignored.
Are extension cords needed to reach the outlets in any room?
-Electrical outlets, especially in older homes, are often spaced too far apart for modern living.
This not only creates too much demand on too few outlets, it also poses a hazard when the extension cords are run under rugs and furniture.
Is there rust on the main electrical service panel?
-Even permanent fixtures wear out or suffer the ravages of time.
When rust appears on the metal service panel it often indicates a moisture problem or that deterioration has reached an advanced stage.
Do the lights dim when appliances turn on?
-High-demand appliances such as air conditioners, clothes dryers, refrigerators and furnaces need extra power when they start up.
This temporary current draw can be more than just a nuisance; it can damage sensitive equipment.
Do electrical switches or outlets feel warm or tingly?
-Loose or deteriorating electrical connections, such as the wiring junctions in switches and outlets, impede current flow and create resistance.
This may create a dangerous condition that can result in shock or fire.
Do your electrical outlets need extra?
-Too many things plugged in at one location can create more current demand than a single outlet or electrical line can safely handle.
Adding multiple plug-in won't solve the problem. What you need are additional outlets, and possibly new wiring runs to service them.
Is the wiring in your outlet boxes old and crumbling?
-If you look at the wiring to your home's light switches or outlets, do you find wires wrapped in cloth sheathing or bits of black rubber in the electrical box?
Very old homes often have antiquated wiring that should be upgraded to ensure your safety.
Have you never upgraded your electrical service?
-If your home is over 20 years old, you could have an inadequate and possibly hazardous electrical system—and not even know it.
To be safe, call in an electrician for a thorough inspection, and if necessary bring your home up to today's electrical code standards.
Safety switches? (from 1 March 2008 owners of leased domestic residences and all manufacturing workplaces must have a safety switch)
Smoke Alarms ? (If you have done major renovations to your home since 1997, it should have included the installation of 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms).
Questions to Ask an Electrician
Are you licensed ? (fully qualified and likely to do reliable work at a reasonable price)
Will my electrical panel need replacement?
-The current National Electrical Code recommends a minimum 63-amp incoming electrical service.
If your service panel provides less, it should be upgraded to this level or better to meet today's home requirements.
Is my home's electrical system adequately grounded?
-Ground-wiring protects a home and its occupants in case of an electrical fault, such as a short-circuit.
But grounding also protects expensive electronic equipment like computers and many appliances.
An electrician can quickly check and add grounding capacity if needed. (safety switch can not work work corect without earth grounding)
Are there any hidden costs for the work?
-The electrician should do a thorough preliminary inspection and provide you with a firm, accurate estimate of the work involved, along with the cost of fixtures or wiring that will be installed.
If additional work is necessary, it can be negotiated and billed separately.
Guarantee ? for 12 months
Only a licensed, insured and qualified electrician should be employed to conduct repairs, maintenance or installation.
Make sure all your electrical systems are checked and maintained regularly.
DO NOT USE Cowboys!
