The
danger of electric shock goes a little further than using an
electrical appliance incorrectly. Electric shock can occur as a
result of an unsafe electrical installation such as the wiring in
your home.
Identifying an
electrical problem
It
is true that many electrical faults can go unnoticed until a disaster
strikes – this could mean electrical shock resulting in injury and
death or a serious house fire. Many house fires begin inside walls
and inside lofts where cables overheat.
The
good news is that there is a lot you can do as a householder to
protect yourself, your loved ones and your home from the dangers of
electricity. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we receive many calls from the
public seeking an electrician in South London to come and look at an
electrical concern. In most cases, the problem is caused by an
electrical fault that has occurred. Sometimes the fault can occur as
a result of the householder tampering with their electrics or it can
happen as a result of cable age, deterioration or as a result of
other work that has been carried out in the home.
A
common problem that we have seen in recent years are cables that have
been installed for a number of years overheating in lofts. This is
nearly always due to insulation being laid on top of the cables which
then cause them to overheat. If you have had your loft insulated
this last Winter, it is worth checking with an electrician that the
cables in your loft are not at risk of overheating.
If
you are not sure what condition your wiring is in within your home,
your best starting point is to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out if you have not had one done
within the last 10 years.
Signs that your
electrics may need attention
Deterioration
of cables can occur without your knowledge and it is far better to
find a problem before it becomes a major issue. However there are
signs to look out for that can indicate that all is not well with
your electrical installation.
- Discolouration of sockets and switches – particularly look for a 'shadow' where a plug would sit against the socket.
- Buzzing noises and 'bad egg' odours that occur when the socket is in use.
- Flickering of lights.
- Delays and sparks when switching on lights and/or sockets.
- Electrical trips occurring more often.
- Overheating of sockets and switches.
If
you notice any of these signs or indeed have any other concerns about
your home electrics, please contact a qualified and registered
electrician as soon as possible.
Is your EICR up to
date?
It
is recommended that home owners have their electrics inspected by a
qualified and registered electrician at least once every 10 years.
The purpose of an EICR is to assess how safe your current electrical
installation is and to ensure you are benefiting from the latest in
electrical safety standards. One of the most ground breaking
electrical safety to become available in recent years is the Residual
Current Device (RCD) which are now fitted to all new consumer units.
The RCD has been responsible for saving many lives and serves as a
safety blanket – protecting everyone in the household from the
dangers of electric shock whether as a result of a faulty appliance
or human error.
After
completing the EICR the electrician will issue you with a report which
will detail the condition of your home electrics and recommend works
that need to be carried out. As NICEIC electricians in London, we
also provide a quote on the costs involved to bring your home up to
the safest possible electrical standard. Additionally we will advise
on the most important works that need to be carried out. As a
general rule of thumb, we recommend upgrading your consumer unit to
include RCD protection if your home doesn't currently have this level
of protection.
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