Frequently Asked Questions

Want some extra power points or lights?

Sounds easy right?

You buy some nice pendant lights and a couple of feature wall lights.

You call the electrician and he now tells you that you are up for an extra $1500 because he needs to upgrade your switchboard as it isn’t safe and does not meet standards?

I see this too often. Customers haven’t budgeted for the extra expense.

The most common scenario is your electrician will change your old circuit breakers or old fuses to RCD’s (Safety Switches), these act as an airbag in a car. The RCD’s sit there monitoring your electrical circuit until a fault occurs and then they go off by tripping and isolating the circuit.

This relates to the AS/NZS 3000:2018 Clause 2.6.3.2.2 Domestic and residential installations.

“All final sub circuits in domestic and residential electrical installation shall be provided with RCD protection on all final sub-circuits”.

• Have your electrician carry out a safety inspection of your home electrical installation.
• You have had RCDs (safety switches) installed and they are tested every three months.
• You have working smoke alarms which are inter-connected, you test monthly and replace the batteries yearly.
• You always use a licensed electrician for electrical work.
• You never use a power tool, appliance or lead that you know is faulty or has a frayed cord.
• There are no electrical appliances used in wet areas or near pools.
• There are no damaged power points or switches in your home.
• You always turn the power off before you go into the ceiling space.
• You always switch off a power outlet before you plug in or unplug any power tool or appliance.
• Ceiling insulation does not cover your down-lights unless they are correctly rated by the manufacturer.
• You are aware of overhead powerlines and service lines – especially when using ladders.
• When not in use, accessible power points have plastic plugs in them to protect young children.
• You teach your kids about being safe with electricity.
• Your outside party lights are suitable for outdoor use.
• You arrange a check of your solar power system every year.
• An electrician has checked the safety of private power poles on your property in the last five years.
• The manufacturer’s instructions for use of electrical equipment are on hand.
• Your home’s earth stake is in good condition.

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly.

Many electricians will date the day of installation. If you have a home with more than one smoke detector, smoke detectors by law need to be interconnected.

What this means is that if one of the smoke detectors in your home is triggered and alarm sounds. The Smoke detector sounding the alarm triggers all the other smoke alarms in your house to sound.

This is to protect your family in a fire situation.