Your home is your castle … a safe haven for you and your loved ones away from the chaos of the outside world.
While we’re all too aware of the dangers lurking outside (we see you, COVID-19), there are a few key indicators that indicate potential electrical danger within your home.
Power surges, flickering lights or Residual Current Devices (RCDs) that keep tripping are signs that all is not right with the electricity supply in your home.
And with an average 15 fatalities and 300 serious injuries caused by avoidable domestic electrical accidents each year, it pays to know when to take note and act immediately.
READ MORE: How to find the best electricians in Melbourne and Geelong
It’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you recognise the signs that it’s time to call in an electrician.
When to call in the electrical experts
RCD breaker trips constantly: If you live in an older home (think anything built before the 1980s) it would not have been built to withstand the power loads of today’s high-tech – and power hungry – electrical devices. So if your breakers start tripping when you plug in the vacuum cleaner or fire up the computer, it’s a good idea to get an electrician in. Installing a subpanel or replacing your electrical panel will keep you safe and be much more efficient.
Heat or electrical shock from sockets and light switches: Power outlets that feel warm or hot to the touch (or making a buzzing noise) are not normal. In fact, they are a sign of faulty wiring that can cause an electrical fire. And if one of them gives you a shock, you must seek immediate medical help and alert the power supply authority. You will also need to call in an electrician to quickly diagnose the problem and make your home safe again.
Old or worn wiring: As the wiring in your home ages, it can corrode, split and fray, be chewed by vermin, or become pinched. This creates the perfect environment for electric shocks and/or a fire. Please call your electrician, while being careful not to overload power outlets in the meantime.
Plugs falling out of power sockets: Yup, this is a thing! When your power socket’s internal contacts – which grip your plug prongs to ensure a secure connection – are worn or loose, you’ll notice your plugs keep slipping out the socket. Since this is a situation that can cause an arc or electrocution, you’d best call an electrician for an urgent power socket replacement.
Flickering bulbs: You know that annoying light bulb that keeps flickering constantly … it’s often a sign of faulty wiring or a bad connection. If your bulbs burn out frequently and they are in the ceiling or a recessed area, check they are housed correctly and not in direct contact with insulation. But to be safe, it’s best to call in the experts.
Plum Trade Services will keep your family safe
Plum’s electricians are hands-down the best in Melbourne and Geelong. They are punctual, reliable, and can be trusted to be clean and tidy around your home. But above all, they are always safe – ensuring you and your family can sleep easy.
Save yourself the headache of shopping around for a reliable electrician you can trust, and come straight to Plum Trade Services.
Your family’s health and safety come first and when it comes to anything electrical, you need to know that you are in the safest hands in the electrical business.
If you have any potential electrical problems in your home, please call our friendly, award-winning customer service team a call on (03) 8360-9622 in Melbourne, or (03) 5292-2219 in Geelong.
