Your home's Electrical Installations

Quick and easy electrical safety tips to help keep you, your home and your family safe!

1. Be wary of fuses in your switchboard
Fuses that have the wrong size fuse wire can cause the circuit to overload or short and possibly cause a fire as the cables are forced to operate at an unsafe temperature. Ceramic fuses no-longer meet current safety standards, so it is illegal for an electrician to install a ceramic fuse in a switchboard.

2. Ensure that the cabling for your down-lights are installed correctly
Halogen down-lights can reach up to 360 degrees Celsius, while cables installed in your ceiling have an operating temperature of 90 degrees Celsius. If these cables come into contact with halogen down-lights that have been incorrectly installed, they can burn the cabling and cause a short circuit and a fire.

3. Ensure that your halogen down-lights are installed correctly
If your down-lights keep blowing, there is a good chance they are overheating. It is a good safety measure to have them checked by an electrician to ensure they are not being covered by insulation or have faulty wiring.

4. Remove all roof leaf litter near halogen down-lights
Leaf litter in your roof can enter your roof space and accumulate on top of the halogen down-lights causing an immediate fire hazard.

5. Test all safety switches every 12 months

Safety switches are a great safety device; however they need be tested every 12 months. This is can be done by using specialised test equipment. If the safety switch is not operating correctly it may not trip when a person comes into contact with a live circuit, potentially causing a lethal situation.

6. Ensure that light switches are installed away from taps
It is illegal to install light switches and power points next to bath-tubs and shower cubicles, or anywhere where there is potential water.

7. Ensure that the external electrical point of connection is well maintained and secure
The Point of Attachment (point where the mains electrical cable attaches to your home) should be checked to make sure the facia is not corroding, as they can pull away from the facia as the timber supports rot.

8. Ensure that your switchboards are up-to-date
Out-of-date switchboards can be dangerous. Plastics can perish and breakdown, cables can become loose and begin to burn and debris can collect inside these panels causing a fire hazard.

With 16 years experience, Absolutely On-Time Electrical can carry out all your home's electrical installations from power points to light fittings, ceiling fans, telephone outlets, TV aerials, switch board upgrades, mains cables and re-wiring of old electrical appliances and homes. As a small family owned business, they focus on providing local Sydney home-owners with an electrician they can trust. To do that they've created a reliable team of tradesman who make some serious promises they can keep. They offer you a money back guarantee to be Absolutely On-Time, Clean, & Safe.