Electrical Safety Tips for Sydney Homeowners
Standards Australia is the national body specialising in the development of new standards and the adoption of international standards. It covers a wide variety of subjects, including electricity. Being globally aligned, Australia’s electrical standards adhere to the most stringent rules.
Still, despite the high electrical standards, there was a time when over 300 electrical accidents happened every year in Australian homes. Fifteen of those were fatal. It was found that 40% of homes did not have safety switches, which were not a requirement then.
If you ask any locally certified electrician in Sydney, they will tell you homes were required to have safety switches only from last year. New South Wales was last to make it mandatory, but their electrical professionals have been ready for a long time.
When it comes to electrical safety, however, the responsibility lies not only on the government or the electricians but Sydney homeowners as well. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Here are a few helpful tips to keep you and your family safe from electrical accidents at home:
- Familiarise yourself with the electrical safety devices in your home:
Locate your home’s circuit breaker and safety switch. Some people think they are the same, but they are not. They are separate safety features serving different purposes.
The circuit breaker cuts off electricity when it detects high current or overload. It mainly protects your property from electrical fires or your appliance from getting toasted. On the other hand, a safety switch cuts off the power within the millisecond that it detects an electricity leak. This is an indication that someone is getting electrocuted. While the circuit breaker is designed to protect your property from damage, the safety switch is there to keep you and your family safe from electrical shock or burn.
- Make sure the safety devices in your home are working:
Every fraction of the second counts when dealing with electricity. That is why it is essential to make sure that your electrical safety devices are functional at all times. Fortunately, it does not take much time or effort to make this happen.
- Testing the safety switch: Before proceeding with the test, make sure all the people inside your house are aware so they can steer clear of electrical devices for a few minutes. Once cleared, locate your switchboard and press the “T” or “Test” button on your safety switch.
The moment you press the button, the safety switch should cut off the power in the circuits connected to it. If it does not, or if you feel there is even a slight delay, have it checked by a certified electrician in Sydney.
Do this safety switch test every three months.
- Excessive tripping: If your safety switch trips frequently, wait for it to trip again, then check which appliances are plugged in. Chances are, one of those appliances is faulty or about to be. Reset the switch then plug in the appliances one by one. If one of them triggers the switch, have it checked by a certified electrician. There is a high probability that it is defective.
- Do not use defective appliances:
Never attempt to plug in damaged appliances, especially those with exposed wire. If an appliance appears to have been damaged after you plugged it in, do not remove it right there and then. Turn off the main power supply first before unplugging the damaged appliance.
Safety is everyone’s priority
A reliable electrician in Sydney whom homeowners can trust is important to have. However, total electrical safety can only be achieved with the combined efforts of the government, the electrical industry, and the homeowners.
