Safety First- Get a Safety Switch

Do You Have a Safety Switch?

Safety Switches should be vital features of any switchboard, but aren’t present in many of Adelaide’s homes.

A Safety Switch (also called an RCBO) turns off the power upon detecting dangerous current variations in your electrics.

This can occur if there is a severe internal defect, or you come into contact with a live circuit. A Safety Switch can therefore significantly reduce the damage/injury inflicted on wiring or a person. You should remember that a circuit breaker won’t protect you from these kinds of problems.

Every year in South Australia, 1 person dies and many are injured due to electrical accidents that could’ve been prevented by a Safety Switch.

Electrical House Fires in Adelaide

Prolonged heavy-use of electricity-hungry appliances can damage your household electrics.

Overused and damaged electrics are a major contributor to house fires. An electrical fault in the South-West destroyed three rooms in an Adelaide family’s home, causing $250,000 of damages.

A house in Southern suburbs suffered $500,000 of fire and smoke damage from an electrical fault originating in the roof cavity.

In August, a family home in Pasedena was gutted by an electrical fire, resulting in $150,000 of necessary repairs.

If your electrics are old and unchecked, you should get an inspection from an accredited electrician immediately.

Sharpe Electrician Carl has inspected and installed countless electrical systems around Adelaide.

A frequent question Carl receives:

Q: Why do my lights keep dimming?

A: The most likely cause is overloaded or undersized wiring, causing dangerous voltage fluctuations.

This is a serious problem because it can result in premature wiring and appliance failure, short circuits and fires.

Signs and Symptoms: Electrical Safety

• Are the electrics in your house old or haven’t been tested in a long time?
• Do you regularly use power-hungry appliances or devices?
• Do your electrics regularly trip when you use electrical appliances?
• Have you lights started to flicker?
• Have you noticed your switchboard or power outlets overheating?
• Switchboard or circuits emitting strange buzzing sounds?

If you notice any of these problems contact a Sharpe Electrician immediately.

Technical Secret:

Sharpe Expert Electrician Carl thinks you should know that as temperatures rise there is a greater risk of power surges, due to both increased electricity demand from air conditioning units and production from solar panels.

If a power surge hits your house, it will destroy not only your switchboard but potentially any electrical appliance connected to a circuit.

The only thing that can give you protection is a surge arrestor installed by an accredited electrician. This diverts any dangerous voltages to ground, preventing damage to the switchboard and a building’s electrics.