Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home

Electrical Safety

1. RCD’S and Electric Shock:
A RCD is a safety device which decreases the risk of electric shock. RCD’s can fail! This is why it is important to regularly test them at least once every 6 months. It’s a simple test anyone can do in the household. Simply press the trip button (as above) if the RCD quickly trips and you can re-engage it than it is ok. For further please view this video. In the event of electric shock it is important to go get a ECG as soon as possible at your closest emergency clinic.An electric shock can cause cadiac arrest up to 48 hours after.

2. Smoke alarms and fires in the house: 
We all know what a smoke alarm is but how do they work. There are 2 types of smoke alarms in WA, Ionisation and photoelectric, however photoeletric smoke alarms are recommend choice for households because are more effective with smoulding fires. A photoelectric smoke alarm works by aiming a light source into a chamber and if any particles are present the light will reflect into a sensor. A smoke alarm can be simply tested by holding the test button in for up to 5 secs and if should sound an alarm. if the other smoke alarms sound also, they’re interconnected The batteries must be tested regularly because they won’t work in the event of an electrical fire. Testing the battery is as simple as turn power off at the switchboard and checking a light flashes at least twice within 60 secs. 

3. Electrical safety and switchboards:
Old switchboards pose a fire risk due to poor connections resulting from brittle wires and ingress. The older style fuse holders pose an electric shock hazard’ If a switchboard is made from asbestos it must not be altered or modified in such a way to disturb the asbestos. Quite often this results in the replacement of the switchboard. All new switchboards installed since 2019 must have RCD protection on every final sub circuit. If a final sub circuit is installed or altered in anyway than a RCD must be installed in accordance with the wiring rules. It is alway recommend old switchboards be replace for new to reduce the risk of electric shock in the household .

4. Electric Shocks from Plumbing & Taps:
If you receive an electric shock from your tap wear or pipework, the first thing you should do is go to your closest emergency clinic and get a ECG. Than contact western power, and notify them of the incident. The electric shock could be the result of a few different things , bad neutral connections, induced voltages from heavy loads or a faulty earth connections. On completion of an western power inspection, western power will either advise you to get an electrician to rectify the issue on the property side or otherwise rectify the issue on there side. 

5. Signs of Electrical Arking/Arcing:
Any signs of arcing can result in a electrical fire. It is important to either isolate from the switchboard if possible or meterbox and call an electrician to investigate. If it is a switch or powerpoint , make sure the switch is turn off or the load is disconnected. To do this safely, isolate the circuit or house from either the switchboard or meterbox to prevent burns and electric shock or fire.

6. Exposed Live Parts:
 An electrical system must be designed in such a way that there is no exposed live parts which are accessible. If any live parts of an electrical system become exposed, open cores, faulty enclosures, damage insulation, etc’s, it important to stay clear, create a barrier between you and the expose part and notify an electrician to rectify the issue. 

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