Have you switched on your lights, plugged your phone in or opened your fridge today? Electricity is an integral part of our daily lives, to such an extent that we only really consider it when it’s gone. Our reliance on technology and appliances increases with each passing year and with it, we are increasing our demand for electricity. However, as with any complex system, problems can occur and it is important to know when it is time to call in the services of an electrician. Licenced electricians understand the wiring in our homes, how current works, and how to work with it safely.
An emergency electrician
The first and foremost sign that it is time to call an electrician is when you have a sudden electrical problem. Important signs to look out for is if any switches or outlets are hot or sparking, as this may be a precursor to an electrical fire. If you discover any switches or outlets that are generating heat or sparking, or even inexplicable warm spots in the walls, remove all appliances from the outlets, keep switches off and call an electrician immediately.
Usually before this occurs, the electricity in your house may simply trip, leaving you in the dark. When an unscheduled black out occurs in your house, it is always worth checking your DB box, also called a circuit breaker. If you notice any of the switches in your DB box in the off position, it is likely that your lack of electricity is not surprise loadshedding or an area-wide blackout but is limited to your home. Often either your main switch, the first from the left, or your ground switch (usually the second switch from the left) will have tripped.
An electrical surge or overloading of a house’s wiring will result in the main switch or ground switch in the DB box flipping down. This happens in order to protect the wiring in your house from the surge or overloading, and to reduce the chances of damage to the wiring, appliances, or your DB box – and also to avoid electrical fires. If the main switch or ground switch continues to trip or does not remain up at all, a serious problem has occurred and a professional electrician will need to attend to the problem.
Another important sign to look out for is when lights start to flicker or dim unexpectedly, especially when other appliances are being used. This is a clear indication that there is too much current being drawn and the electrical system is being overloaded. If this is occurring when certain appliances are being switched on or used simultaneously, there is not enough electrical current available. This may require upgrading your DB box, adding new plugs to an area, or creating dedicated circuits for certain appliances, especially powertools, ovens and appliances that use motors, such as your fridge, that draw a large amount of electrical current.
Electrical wiring installation and repair
When you are building, repairing or renovating your home, it is important that a qualified electrician is involved. Any major changes to the electrical wiring in a house requires a certificate of compliance (CoC) to ensure that all measures were taken to repair or install the wiring correctly and safely, to avoid any damage or any risk of electrical shocks or electrical fires, and to ensure that the wiring lasts a long time.
Lighting installation
If you have a light fitting that regularly has blown light bulbs, or a light switch that does not switch on a light, even after the light bulb has been replaced, this probably requires a check by an electrician. Faulty wiring may be affecting your light switch and can lead to electrical shorts and fires and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Alternatively, if you are looking to improve or change the lighting in a room, either with strategic lighting in your office, bright fluorescents in your kitchen or above your oven, or adding soft mood lighting with a dimmer switch in your bedroom, having an electrician do this work can save you a number of lightbulbs in the future.
Appliance installation
When the installation of appliances is done correctly, the appliances will work efficiently and are protected from damage. When it is done incorrectly, it can cause an overloading of your DB box, damage to your wiring, and other hazards. The best way to ensure a new appliance is installed correctly is to call up your local electrician. Appliances that require some extra know-how can include air conditioners, ceiling fans, dishwashers, washing machines and electric stoves.
Switch and plug point installation and repair
If you have too many extension cords, or too many plug adapters sprawling untidily from a single outlet, it is usually a good indication that there are too few plug points and that you are probably overloading the outlets. Additionally, these extension cords can also be a tripping hazard and an eye-sore. An excellent solution is to add more plug points to your room. An electrician can add additional circuits for plug points and outlets in a room safely, without risking damaging or overloading the wiring in your house.
A different but equally distressing scenario is having plug points go on the fritz. Either plugs no longer work or, in the case of damage to the plug, they may short-circuit the outlets or create surges that damage devices and appliances. Rust or moisture near your electrical outlets can also be dangerous and should be attended to ASAP.
DB box or circuit breaker panel repair
If you are having problems with your DB box, such as frequent tripping of the switches, an electrician should be called in. They will isolate the problem with their specialised measuring equipment, namely an ammeter. Should a problem with your electricity be with the DB box itself, rather than a wiring problem or current overload from an appliance elsewhere in the house, they will advise you further on the next steps, like the possible need to replace a circuit breaker. An electrician will also make sure that once the problem is resolved, your DB box is in good working order.
Electrical certificate of compliance
An electrical certificate is a legal requirement drafted by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that is placed upon the owner of a property who must ensure their electrical installation is safe and does not pose a threat to any human or animal or the property. If you are looking to renovate, build or sell your property in South Africa, you will require an Electric Clearance Certificate (ECC), validated by the Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa (ECASA) and the Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa (ECB). A qualified and registered electrician will come to your house, conduct an electrical certificate of compliance inspection. This will determine that the property is correctly earthed and bonded, as well as free from electrical faults. If the electrician picks up any problems, they will advise you on what needs to happen next.
It is very important to make sure that the electrician that you call is qualified, certified and comes highly recommended in order to guarantee that you receive the best and safest services. You can get a quick and easy quote from an electrician online here.
Filed under : Electricians